Roping them in to raise money

B.W. COOK

The Orange County Fair and Exposition Center in Costa Mesa was the

venue for one of the largest charity galas in Orange County, the 2004

Cattle Baron’s Ball.

Organizers called this year’s extravaganza, “Leis and Lassoes,”

combining both Hawaiian and western themes to benefit the American

Cancer Society. It was the sixth annual dinner-dance and the single

largest fundraiser for the American Cancer Society in this region.

When the final donations are tallied, organizers hope to raise in

excess of $500,000.

The 2004 event was chaired by Susan and Steve Giusto. Steve Giusto

also serves as the chairman of the American Cancer Society’s Orange

County board. His commitment to fighting cancer is very personal, as

both of his parents lost their battles with the disease.

Also supporting the party were many local members of what is known

as the Cattle Baron’s League. Lending assistance were league

President Leslie Bowles, Margo Ferris, Ken Agid, Julie Aros, Debbie

Douglas, Randy Moore, Sharon Paisley, Jennifer Thomas, Ron Rubino and

Joyce Weiss.

With major support from PacifiCare Health Systems, Corinthian

Colleges, Marshall Advertising and Design, Douglas Advisors, Instant

Capital Funding Group, Hoag Cancer Center, Wells Fargo Bank and many

other dedicated corporate and individual donors, the enormous

undertaking was handsomely underwritten, enabling the American Cancer

Society to maximize donations to help fund services and research

toward a cure.

To date, the local Cattle Baron’s League has raised more than $2.5

million toward this objective. In Orange County, the local American

Cancer Society assisted more than 3,500 cancer patients last year

alone.

As guests arrived at the Costa Mesa fairgrounds, organizers

welcomed the crowd in true Hawaiian spirit. The Kelly Rae Band

provided the tunes as gourmet Hawaiian dining was served luau-style.

Guests were entertained with casino gaming, live and silent auctions

and gimmicks galore, including live pig races. First they raced it,

then they ate it. Well, not exactly.

Additional Cattle Baron’s League members supporting the evening

included Diana and Sheldon Fisher, Susan and John Johnson, Barbara

Steinberg, Lorena and John Goodin, Donna Bianchi, Maggie and Jim

Cook, Sharon Esterley, Carol and Kent Wilken, Bobbitt and Bill

Williams, Tana Sherwood, Renee Tilton and Bob Waller.

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