This one’s for the children

B.W. COOK

A handsome crowd of serious citizens turned out in black-tie for the

11th annual “Celebration of Children.” The Sutton Place Hotel in

Newport Beach hosted the elegant evening held on behalf of Court

Appointed Special Advocates. The local nonprofit organization is

dedicated to protecting the rights of abused children involved in

matters pertaining to the court.

With 425 guests in attendance, CASA raised a most impressive

$380,000. Underwritten by generous corporate sponsorship from

American Airlines, Deloitte & Touche, LLP and Pacific Life, the

evening paid tribute to some of the community’s most visible members

advocating child welfare.

Bill Cvengros was bestowed with CASA’s highest annual award, named

“Children’s Champion” for the year. Commissioner Gary Bischoff was

named “Judicial Honoree,” and Newport Coast celeb couple Bob and

Marie Gray of St. John Knits were honored as corporate supporters for

2004. Finally, Carrie Craig was lauded as “Advocate of The Year.”

As the largest and most important fundraising event of the year

for CASA, the evening featured a hosted cocktail reception with the

much in demand martini bar, followed by a marvelous four course meal

prepared by the always first class Sutton Place dining staff.

A guest list of who’s who Newport-Mesa couples including Bob and

Susie Bates, Don and Patti Boortz, Dick and Patty Chatham, Anne and

Victor Cooper, John and Melissa Flagg, Ken and Stephanie Grody and

Anton and Jennifer Segerstrom enjoyed the music of Haute Chili and

checked out the opportunity prizes built around travel to London and

golf at Pebble Beach.

Also supporting CASA were Barbara and Joe Delaney, Alex and Dede

Ewert, Marci and Scott Ferguson and Bob and Marie Gray’s family

including Kelly, Lori and Mike Gray. Major financial support for the

gathering also came from Fred and Linda Port, Chris and Pam Massey,

Glenn and Susan Schafer, Doug and Kylie Hodge and Richard and Frances

Godbois. For more information on the work of CASA, call Lynda Sloan

at (714) 619-5155.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.