A strong showing for Paralysis Foundation

BARBARA DIAMOND

Dana Reeve was the guest of honor at the 17th annual gala fundraiser

for the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, held Saturday at the

St. Regis in Dana Point.

Both the Reeveses devote considerable time to the foundation,

which was created after the handsome, athletic actor was paralyzed in

a riding accident.

Her main focus is the quality of life grants awarded by the

foundation, which the gala helps fund. The grants total nearly $1

million a year -- scientific grants are even more -- and range from

$5,000 to $25,000.

“Five or $10,000 goes a long way for a small organization,” Reeve

said. “It can be for a kitchen for an assisted living facility or a

playground made accessible for children.”

Most people are unaware of the needs of the wheelchair community:

ramps, wider doors, grab bars in bathrooms and lower cabinets,

according to Reeve.

“We were oblivious until Christopher had his accident,” Reeve

said.

Laguna Beach resident Jackie O’Hara has been aware of the needs

since when her son was paralyzed almost two decades ago in a traffic

accident. She founded a support group that later merged with the

Christopher Reeve Foundation and is the only chapter.

“Our little group has raised well over $1 million,” said hospitality chair Katy Moss.

Moss was brought into the group by O’Hara, as was Sally Peterson,

who has arranged the gala floral centerpieces for 17 years.

“About two-thirds of the volunteer foundation members are Laguna

Beach residents,” Amy Penninger said.

The gala included a reception, a silent auction, dinner and

dancing.

Actress Jane Seymour, honorary chair of the gala with her husband,

James Keach, donated a painting for the silent auction. Seymour

starred in a film with Christopher Reeve. She spoke last summer

during a stint at the Festival of Arts about doing another project

with him.

“They have been talking about it,” Dana Reeve said. “They are such

good friends and people love their chemistry on film, but right now

it’s on the back burner.”

“Pacific Paradise,” a painting donated by Tom Swimm, set the theme

of the gala. Swimm also has donated a piece for the 15th annual

Collectors Choice, a fundraiser June 5 for the Laguna College of Art

and Design.

He dismissed his generosity with an airy wave of his hand.

“My accountant has 12 pages of donations,” Swimm said.

Proceeds from the gala had not been tabulated by press time, but

the chapter knows the money will be used to fund grants and research

to develop effective treatment and a cure for paralysis caused by

spinal cord injury and other central nervous system disorders.

Stem cell and animal studies are promising avenues of research

according to Oswald Steward, director of the UC Irvine Center for

spinal cord disorders.

“We have been doing animal studies for several years,” said

Steward. “It absolutely has to be done. We can’t understand anything

this complex by studying something in a dish. We keep the animal

distress minimal.”

Steward has been director of the center and a Laguna Beach

resident with his wife, Kathy, for five years.

“The center is recognized as a world center along with the Miami

project,” Steward said Saturday. “The Miami project has been around a

long time. We did it is five years and we are very proud of that.”

Other Lagunans at the gala included artist Suzanne Short, who is

confined to a wheelchair when she isn’t parachuting out of airplanes.

“I loved it,” said Short of her recent jump. “It was awesome. I

have always wanted to do it and I’d do it again.”

Also on the guest list: Marie Pezzlo, Rosemary Swimm, Anne Morris,

Julie Burbridge, David Hauck, Barbara Scott, Ellen and Michael

Mahoney, Roseanne Nelson and Jim Pisa.

BOOK OF GOLDEN DEEDS

Bobby Fader has been June Neptune’s right hand at Tivoli Terrace

for 17 years and at Tivoli Too since it was built.

“I had a full head of hair when I started,” Fader said.

He may have lost his hair, but he saved the sanity -- not to

mention the bank accounts -- of many local groups that he helped

organize successful fund-raisers and events.

“I am privileged to work in Laguna and I thank June for the

opportunity,” Fader said.

The Laguna Beach Exchange Club honored his contributions by

presenting him with Book of Golden Deed Award at a luncheon held May

13 at the Hotel Laguna.

“This award recognizes people who give their time and talent for

the benefit of the community,” said luncheon chair Katy Moss. “June

received it in 1990. Last year, it was Donny Crevier.”

Sande St. John was a recipient and Doris Shields. Jim Law got the

award in 1977 and Lorna Mills in 1978.

“It sounds like a Who’s Who in Laguna,” said homegrown police

Capt. Danell Adams. “I am here because of all Bobby has done for

Laguna.”

Club President Hal Werthe presented the award.

“I don’t know what we would do without him,” said Carolyn Wood,

president of the Laguna Canyon Conservancy. “We have had our monthly

dinner meetings at Tivoli Terrace since 1995. We wouldn’t exist

without him.”

Carol without an e Reynolds thanked Fader for his help with the

Women of Distinction recognition dinners presented by the Laguna

branch of the American Assn. of University Women at Tivoli Too.

“My husband, who could not be here, would have talked for 20

minutes on how much the Festival of Arts relies on Bobby,” said

Annette Henry speaking for loquacious festival Vice President Bob

Henry.

Luncheon guests included Director of Community Services Pat Barry,

Laguna Beach Visitors Bureau representatives Karyn Philippsen and

Kathleen Spaglione, Arts Commissioner Sue Ferguson, Laguna Beach

Friends of the Library and the Taxpayers Assn. President Martha

Lydick and Exchange Club Treasurer Sandi Werthe, who married the club

president 26 years ago at Tivoli Terrace.

* OUR LAGUNA is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box

248, Laguna Beach, 92652, hand-deliver to 384 Forest Ave., Suite 22;

call (949) 494-4321 or fax (949) 494-8979.