THE CROWD:Great Park Conservancy fundraiser

Sisters-in-law Teddie Ray and Janet Ray know how to throw a party. The two dynamic women joined their husbands, Michael Ray and Walkie Ray respectively, to coordinate the second-annual Jewel of Orange County Fundraising Gala benefiting the Great Park Conservancy. The inaugural event last year raised more than $300,000 in net proceeds to support the Great Park Conservancy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the construction of the future Orange County Great Park on the site of the former El Toro Marine Base. This year’s event, completely sold out, will undoubtedly surpass the fundraising bar of the inaugural event. Organizers are still tallying profits, hoping to net more than $500,000 for the enormous undertaking.

The money is, of course, very important, as it will take millions of dollars to create what will become one of the nation’s grandest urban parks. The Ray women are well aware of the fact that in order to succeed they must rally the community to bring in the dollars. To this end, they created what was surely the party of the summer of 2007.

Under an enormous white big-top tent in the middle of the vacant El Toro property, the Rays set up a dinner party for 1,000 people, capped by a wonderful concert in the park by Kenny Loggins. As guests arrived at dusk, they were greeted with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. A silent auction was prepared especially for the “Jewel of Orange County.” Committee members gathered incredible gems from the area’s top jewelers to attract the high bidders sipping champagne and trying to decide between a diamond necklace and fabulous pearl earrings, along with dozens of other sparkling temptations. Newport-Mesa donors making it all possible included Joni Brice, Peggy Goldwater Clay, Christine Comp, Brian Dobbin, Caroline Jones, Cary Lobel, Mona Lee Nesseth, Ariela Shani and Kathy Taylor.

As guests were seated under the big top, acrobatic performers from Cirque Dreams entertained. Dinner was served at long picnic tables covered in white linen and adorned with potted greenery representing various forms of flora that will become part of the Great Park. California wines flowed as big screens around the big top flashed with images of the many aspects to be incorporated in the Great Park, including a model of the first phase of the botanical garden which will be created on the site under the tent where the party was being held.

Guests headed for the dance floor in front of the stage as Loggins and his band took the party into high gear. The crowd gathered around Loggins like so many kids waiting for Santa Claus to come down the chimney. They danced, they raised their hands high in the air and swayed to the ballads as Loggins reminded many of those in attendance of younger days and more carefree times. He performed his entire act, returning for an encore or two. Nobody wanted to leave.

Proceeds from the “Jewel of Orange County” event will further the mission of establishing a fundraising base for public facilities and programs at the Great Park.

“It is a nonpolitical, nonpartisan, nonprofit corporation, overseen by an 11-member board of directors,” said Peggy Goldwater Clay of Newport Beach, representing the Great Park Conservancy.

“Over 100 community leaders lend their names in support of the Great Park through the Conservancy’s Advisory Council. Our organization also enjoys a membership of over 15,000 individuals from throughout Southern California.

“The role of the Great Park Conservancy is to generate and maintain public and private support throughout Orange County and beyond for the development and operation of the Orange County Great Park,” she added. “The conservancy envisions it to be one of the world’s great metropolitan parks.”