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.