Donors spring into action at two events

B.W. COOK

Benvenuto Primavera. Welcome spring. The Sophisticates, who support

the Assessment and Treatment Services Center, raised an impressive

net amount of $168,000 at their annual spring fashion luncheon held

at the Hyatt Regency, Irvine.

A runway fashion presentation produced by Nordstrom at South Coast

Plaza entertained the most fashionable crowd. Big donors this season

included Donna and John Crean, Julia and George Argyros, Newport’s

glamorous Zee Allred, Nora Hester and the Eric Jackson family. Also

supporting the work of the Sophisticates were corporate sponsor

Marriott Newport Coast Villas, Debbie and Tom Newmeyer, Ev and Pete

Parella, Susan Becker and Karen Elliott, president of the

Sophisticates.

“Through the dedication of ATSC, with the support of the

Sophisticates, troubled youngsters and their families are provided

that very important opportunity to develop, grow and thrive,” Elliott

said.

Elliott compared the opportunity for change to the theme of the

annual event, welcoming spring after the winter season. It’s an

appropriate metaphor to be sure. The mission of the group remains:

“Arrest the problem, not the child.”

In the crowd to welcome spring were local celebs Darby Manclark,

lovely Grace Thelan, Charlene Prager, Shari Ciko, Sally Crockett and

Pilar Wayne Upchurch.

The Adoption Guild of Southern Orange County, in conjunction with

Holy Family Services, also welcomed spring in great style at The

Balboa Bay Club & Resort with a warm and festive luncheon and fashion

show. The event was themed “All Children are Angels” and featured

guest speaker Leslie Groene, a nationally-recognized corporate coach

and founder of her own business. Groene is the author of “Picture

Yourself & The Life You Want.”

As a luncheon of lobster bisque, shrimp and papaya remoulade salad

and sesame chicken over Asian noodles was served to the capacity

crowd, Colleen Hopkins narrated runway fashions graciously provided

by Shades of Red, a boutique in Bayside Shopping Center, Corona del

Mar.

Chaired by Sue Kreuter with assistance from Harriett Selna,

president of AGSOC, and Debra Richardson, executive director of Holy

Family Services, the luncheon event celebrated the crucial work of

the organization. “Holy Family Services placed 57 children in

adoptive homes last year, including two sets of twins,” Kreuter said,

calling them “double angels.”

Spotted in the crowd were Lorie Moran, a former chair of the

event, and lovely Lin Auer. Major local support for the guild also

comes from members including Cecilia Presley, Leslie Cancellieri,

Phyllis Carpenter and Lido Isle’s radiant Fritzie Williams.

Holy Family Services adoption and foster care agency has a 55-year

tradition of “promoting quality family opportunities for children

without regard to race, religion, sex or ethnic origin.”

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.