THE CROWD:Holiday ball benefits local children

The 58th annual Candy Cane Ball — hosted by the Junior Auxiliary of the Assistance League of Newport-Mesa and held at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Spa — sprinkled a bit more joy of the holiday season on the California Rivera.

More important, $60,000 was raised that will benefit underprivileged children in Newport-Mesa through the programs of the Assistance League.

Nearly 200 guests in holiday sparkle arrived at the Marriott to be greeted by the Merry Minstrels. The silent auction beckoned as cocktail glasses chimed, toasting the season.

Event chair Andrea Fine welcomed one and all, praising those who worked tirelessly to make the 58th Candy Cane Ball — the longest-running holiday event in Newport-Mesa — a reality.

“It takes so much work and a dedicated committee to pull an event of this size together,” she said. “And the satisfaction comes with enjoying a heartfelt evening and raising money for deserving children.”

Founded in 1940, the Assistance League of Newport-Mesa supports local programs, including the Cheri Harris Children’s Dental Health Center, Operation School Bell and Kids on the Block, as well as various community outreach efforts.

Spotted in the crowd were major underwriters Cassie and David Conant; Junior Auxiliary Co-chairman Vivian Browne with her husband,Carl; Jill and Bruce Ayres; Diana and Bob Brookes; Sue and Peter Hitch; Laura and Steve Scully; Kathy and Arne Youngman; Christy and Dale Shepherd; Charlie and Sandy McLaughlin; David and Maryjean Harper; and Ed and Lisa Hupp, to name only a few.

Hoag Hospital celebrated its 40th annual Christmas Carol Ball raising $600,000.

Hosted by the dedicated 552 Club, funds raised this season will benefit the Hoag Neuroscience Institute.

The ball, Christmas On My Mind, was chaired by Mark and Cheryl Hardtke. Major underwriting support for the gala event held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Monarch Beach, came from Newport Beach activists Ron and Sandi Simon, Eddie and Lee Fedishon, Mike and Tami Kahn, and the Josephine Herbert Gleis Foundation.

“This was the best holiday gift for Hoag,” Cheryl Hardtke said. The upbeat crowd joined holiday carolers and danced the night away to the Wayne Foster Orchestra.

In the crowd were Hoag’s chairman, Dr. Richard Afable, and his wife, Sally, Dr. Robert and Sheryl Anderson of Newport Coast, John and Fran Applegate, Lin and Albert Auer, Dr. Thomas and Carrie Benvenutti, Alex and Barbara Bowie of Big Canyon, Herbert and Fran Cashen II, Dr. Weston Chandler of Newport Beach, and Cerise Feeley escorted by beau Rudy Dew.

Also supporting Hoag were Ira and Heather Garbutt, Maralou and Jerry Harrington, Nora and Dr. Jim Johnson, Suki and Randy McCardle, Marion and Roger Palley of Lido Isle, Harriet and Sandy Sandhu, and the ever-elegant Elizabeth Vincent of Harbor Isle.