Auction brings joy to all
Suzie Harrison
Sardines have nothing on Woody’s at the Beach. In fact the crowd at
Woody’s during its sixth annual Wreath Auction put those proverbial
fish to shame.
On Tuesday about 150 people came out to bid on a variety of
holiday wreaths to benefit Laguna Shanti and netted a record $20,000.
One hundred percent of the proceeds go to Laguna Shanti, which
provides comfort, courage and companionship to persons affected with
HIV, AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses.
“I would like to thank everyone for supporting Laguna Shanti,”
executive director Bob Barnes said. “I see a lot of old friends and
new friends here to help.”
He said that the wreath auction’s funds do many wonderful things
for the community and assists in providing a wide array of
life-enhancing programs -- such as benefit assistance, housing
referrals, nutritional evaluations and counseling.
Though they raised some serious money the event was all about fun.
A buff “wreath boy,” John Acone wearing nothing but surf shorts and a
Santa hat, displayed each wreath, as emcee Chris Gonzales worked the
crowd to maximize the bids.
“People are really giving from their hearts, giving from their
souls tonight,” Gonzales said.
The 29 wreaths that were donated from community members and
businesses ranged from traditional, to themed, to simple and to the
height of creativity.
The best example of creativity would have to go to Jewelry by
Ponce and Madison Square Garden for “Rio.” John Madison and John
Ponce were the masterminds behind the wreath that brought in the
highest bid of $6,500.
Madison has been the chair for Laguna Shanti for a number of
years.
“We have been planning this wreath since October of last year,”
Madison said.
The wreath included airfare for two from Los Angeles to Rio and
luxury accommodations for seven days at a beachfront condominium.
He got the idea after Ponce and his partner bought the condo in
Ipanema.
“We were talking at the gym one day and I said, ‘why don’t we do a
spectacular wreath,’” Madison said. “‘If you give your condo, I’ll
give the airline tickets -- let’s do that.’”
The wreath was adorned with tiny toy airplanes from an airline
carrier with blue lights representing a runway.
“The main thing is that people wanted it,” Madison said. “[$6,500]
that really is big league.”
Charles Lain of California Visitors Network in Laguna Beach
created another showstopper. His was white and behemoth and came with
its share of more than the usual wreath perks.
It included more than 30 gift certificates from high-end
restaurants and shops around Laguna
“I’ve participated in the auction since day one,” Lain said. “The
first year I bought a wreath, which is cheaper to buy than to make.”
Last year Jewelry by Ponce donated a wreath with a diamond
necklace. Lain kept this in mind when he created his, which brought
in the second highest bid of $3,950.
“I might as well make mine good, I know all the merchants in
town,” Lain said. “I was expecting it to go for about $800 or $900
but the whole town pitched in. The merchants were more than happy to
help. I never got one no.”
Over the past six years Woody’s annual wreath auction has netted
more than $85,000 for Laguna Shanti.
“There’s such creativity you can see that people put their heart
and souls into it,” Woody’s owner Joel Herzer said. “The money raised
was amazing. Every year it’s more creative.
“This year seemed like a whole community effort instead of a gay
effort,” Herzer said. “I feel it’s really crossed over to include
everyone.”
Woody’s at the Beach is at 1305 S. Coast Highway. For more
information, call (949) 376-8809.
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