THE CROWD:Hoag movie premiere fundraiser is a success

The reviews were mixed. Some patrons loved the simple charm of the film, while others thought it was simply a rehash of common territory. What is important, however, is Hoag Cancer Center raised more than $180,000 at the recent movie premiere of “No Reservations” hosted at the Edwards Big Newport Theater at Fashion Island in Newport Beach.

Social doyenne Vera Oxblood of Dover Shores was in the Hoag crowd with her college-age daughter Honey Almond Oxblood.

Warner Bros. generously donated the film for the premiere in conjunction with Edwards Theaters and the Regal Entertainment Group, which owns the cinema.

The sold-out event is an annual summer fest that attracts more than 1,000 Hoag Hospital supporters from all over the region. It was chaired by Sandie Haskell, who said, “Once again, we are thrilled with the results of this year’s movie event and overwhelmed by the community’s support. We have received great reviews on the movie, the food and the music.”

Helping Haskell on the screening committee were: Terry Callahan, Lynn Cathcart, Janis Dinwiddie, John Dugal, Jean Galloway, Arlene Howard, Eleanor Jaffy, Margaret Lord, Juanita Madole, Lois Malone, Gregory Miles, Rosalie Puleo, Kellie Smith and Margaret Von Tiesenhausen.

Prior to the movie screening, more than 1,000 patrons meandered through the parking lot of the cinema sampling tastings from 27 of Orange County’s best restaurants. There was everything one can imagine, including cuisine from Royal Thai, Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion, Sabatino’s Lido Shipyard Sausage Co., Taco Rosa, French 75, Bluewater Grill, Muldoon’s Dublin Pub and Celtic Bar, and the California-ental cuisine of Ho Sum Bistro on the Newport peninsula.

A silent auction included travel packages, golf outings, restaurant gift certificates, wine-tasting opportunities and more. Hoag Hospital’s Executive Chef Sam Sellona offered to create an “in-home” theme dinner for 10 guests.

Additional donors, including the Island Hotel in Fashion Island and the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Laguna Niguel, offered deluxe packages, including dining in order to help raise funds to benefit the Hoag Cancer Center.

Major underwriters for the party this year were the Arnold Feuerstein family, and Allan and Sandy Fainbarg. Sterling BMW of Newport Beach was among the corporate sponsors making a difference for Hoag Hospital. Spotted in the crowd were Bob and Gini Robins, Paul and Kathy Rolfes, Sue and Dale Christian, Janet Curci and Bruce Marie Schwartz.

The movie screening was the brainchild of the Hoag 552 Club, a support auxiliary. Organizers launched the event in 1988 and since its founding have raised nearly $1.5 million for the cancer center. The 552 Club, which was founded in 1966, has raised more than $34 million for Hoag Hospital. It has more than 3,000 members, and is the oldest and largest of Hoag’s volunteer support groups.

Oxblood summed up the spirit of the evening best stating, “They could show reruns of old Bugs Bunny cartoons and we would all be here and have a wonderful time just to support Hoag Hospital. Hoag is a member of our family.”