THE CROWD:25 years of Orange Blossom Ball

Orangewood Children’s Foundation celebrated the 25th Anniversary Orange Blossom Ball, attracting more than 300 guests and raising $150,000. Chaired by Christyne Sutton Olson with support from Kelly Thiel, in conjunction with Orangewood Foundation Chairman of the Board Dave Ritchie, the event was a tribute to an organization that has saved the lives of some 62,000 Orange County children over more than two and a half decades. “The number of abused children helped by Orangewood would fill every seat in the Honda Center and Angel Stadium combined,” Ritchie told the crowd. He went on to praise and thank the two men who started Orangewood Foundation: General William Lyon, who was unable to attend, and Founding Executive Director Bill Steiner.

Party planners chose a theme of mariposa, which is the Spanish word that translates to butterfly. Newport’s florist to the stars, Andrew Gromek, and his staff at Couture Flowers, transformed the Pacific Ballroom in the St. Regis Hotel Monarch Beach into an enormous rich and romantic butterfly cocoon. The event also marked the 15th anniversary of one of Orangewood’s most important programs, the Peer Mentor Program.

“At a time in their lives when young people assisted by Orangewood could easily and justifiably move on from their painful past, they choose to give back,” Ritchie said, adding, “Peer mentors share their stories of challenges, triumphs and perseverance to serve as living proof that foster youth can become successful adults. Teens in foster care have hope for the future based on what they see in you.”

More than 50 current and former peer mentors were in attendance at the Orange Blossom Ball.

The evening got off to a high-energy start with music and entertainment from the James Gang setting the tone. NBC newswoman Vikki Vargas, a board member of the Orangewood Children’s Foundation, delivered a video presentation. Gene Howard, CEO of Orangewood Children’s Foundation, joined Ritchie in welcoming the generous sponsors, underwriters and guests. Big donors included Balboa Island’s Shirley and Eric Pepys, Harbor Island’s James and Patti Edwards, Robert Barth, Bruce and Lynn Fetter, Geoffery and Nancy Stack, Rachel Riley and Augie Nieto. Corporate donors included Newmeyer and Dillon, St. John Knits, Union Bank, Disneyland, Deloitte & Touche, The Dot Printer, Wells Fargo and a host of others.

The ball committee members included Dorine Birtcher, Lynn Fetter, Tiffany Pepys-Hoey, Shirley Pepys and Vikki Vargas who planned a smashing party that featured a rousing live auction led by Jay Bailey. Auction items were a 2008 golf package to the Masters in Atlanta, Ga., a diamond pendant from Chopard, and a VIP suite at a Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim game.

Dinner began with a limestone lettuce salad, followed by a sorbet of Pomelo and dry vermouth. The main course consisted of pan seared beef tenderloin and chicken breast with Serrano ham. Dessert was a trio of warmed mini chocolate cake, Grand Marnier ice cream and citrus crème brulée.

For more information on the work of Orangewood Children’s Foundation, please contact Sara Bazant at 714-619-0206.