Local notables walk catwalk for charity

B.W. COOK

“It was all about looks, fun and spirit,” offered Sister Paula of the

Heart of Jesus Retreat Center.

The 26th annual Men’s Haberdashery Fashion Show, benefiting the

center, unfolded last week at the Irvine Marriott Hotel. The men’s

stores of Fashion Island in Newport Beach supplied the clothing as 40

of Orange County’s high-profile men pranced the catwalk raising funds

for the children served by the nuns associated with the Heart of

Jesus Retreat Center, Santa Ana.

The theme this year was “Celebrating Our Heroes,” and the event

featured a PowerPoint presentation of real-life heroes including the

famous and the not-so-famous making a difference for humanity.

As the children of the center came front and center to sing

“Heroes And Saints,” giant screens flashed images of people including

Victor Cachia, a volunteer surgeon working with “The Flying Doctors

of Mercy;” Peter Czuleger, another physician associated with urban

search and rescue; Matt Willig, football player for the Carolina

Panthers; and Monsignor Paul Martin, a priest who has served the

Catholic Church for the past 46 years.

Tony and Melinda Moiso served as honorary co-chairs hosting the

some 650 guests, including a large contingent of Newport-Mesa patrons

honoring the Sisters of The Sacred Heart. Major donors included Gen.

William and Willa Dean Lyon, Jim and Oralee McNamara, Richard and

Regina Hunsaker, Michael and Lynette Hayde, Steve Cameron, George and

Eden O’Connell, Pat and Jill Ortiz and Bill and Harriet Harris. These

donors were among the “Hearts of Platinum” contributors, raising

$155,000 in honor of the late Tom and Emma Jane Riley and their

Children’s Endowment Fund. Other major Newport sponsors included

Roger and Gail Kirwin of the Newport Coast, Jeremy and Frandy Laster

and Chuck Mills.

A team of female judges critiqued the 40 male models on the

runway, naming the best of the best. The Sweepstakes Award went to

Antonio Cagnolo, owner of Antonello’s Ristorante at South Coast

Village. Gary Urban took home the Founder’s Award, and John McDermott

was named Rookie Of The Year on the runway. The popular Silver Fox

award went to Donald Moe, with John Wayne’s grandsons Patrick Munoz

and Father Matt Munoz taking the Family Award to the applause of the

large audience. Also recognized were Jeff Leane, Donald and Parker

Kennedy, Tim Stafford and George O’Connell. Corporate sponsor

American Airlines joined fellow sponsor Fashion Island Merchants and

its stores, including Gary’s, At-Ease, Robinsons-May, St. Croix and

Indigo Palms in showing off the very latest men’s wear to the stylish

crowd.

In the end, the massive undertaking raised $235,000 for the

retreat center. Sister Paula commented, “This is the eighth year in a

row we have topped the previous year’s total.” Also in the crowd were

Sondra Ames of Corona del Mar, Isabelle Villasenor and John Ashton,

Jeffrey Proster of Costa Mesa, the Warmingtons, John Braeger, Keith

Eyrich of the Irvine Co., Newport’s James Peters Jr., Jim Reed, Denny

Bean and Steve Schrank.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.