THE CROWD:

The Angelitos de Oro, the small but powerful charitable group in support of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of Orange County, joined forces with CH Carolina Herrera at South Coast Plaza for a midweek in-store event.

Each year the Angelitos sponsor a holiday shopping-card promotion with South Coast Plaza offering card holders a 20% savings on holiday merchandise from a variety of vendors.

The Herrera party celebrated the success of the Angelitos card and launched the 2007 campaign.

Angelitos hopes to raise more than $200,000 this year for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. They are well on their way as the Herrera evening raised $65,000 in underwriting. Angelitos co-chairwoman Kate Eastman said, “We are indebted to CH Carolina Herrera for this wonderful party and especially thankful to store manager Ramona Vahed for all of her support.”

More than 120 guests converged upon the newly designed and expanded Herrera collection, which in addition to exquisite women’s clothing now includes both a men’s line and a handbag and personal items collection. Quattro Caffe catered hors d’ oeuvres including toasted coconut shrimp, sliced filet mignon and diced chicken with red and yellow peppers.

In the crowd were Marilyn and David Wooten, Caroline Garrett, Marcia and Dave Cashion, Marilyn McIntyre, Farrah Abrishami, Laura Stratford, Leslie Montgomery, Cathy Marconi, and Emily Crouch. Also supporting the Angelitos were Mary Raney, Donna Ray, P.T. Times, Barbie Hirschler, Nanette Mayo, Eryn Burden, Lisa Jones, Leslie Baker, Jayne Lally and Jennifer Rielly.

The public is invited to purchase the Angelitos card for a $60 donation. Cards may be purchased from retailers at South Coast Plaza as well as at the concierge desks. In addition, Angelitos members are selling the card community-wide. To purchase one go to www.angelitosdeoro.org or call (949) 642-9883. The card may be used at 110 merchants at South Coast Plaza offering a 20% savings on regularly priced merchandise from Nov. 1-6. Shoppers can save hundreds of dollars on their holiday gift purchases while helping the programs of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Orange County. I think they call that a “win-win.”

There is a new philanthropy in the Newport-Mesa, Irvine region deserving of some press. It’s called the Beach City Service League, and it is an organization made up of young men in grades nine to 11. Launched in January 2007, Beach City Service League (BCSL) started with two classes totaling 46 participants. In just 10 months these dedicated students have served the community volunteering more than 1,800 hours of service. Organizations receiving support include Shalimar Learning Center and Ronald McDonald House. In addition to the charitable work, BCSL is teaching leadership skills and introducing the young men to cultural events intended to foster interest in community affairs.

Founded by Mary Pat Lucas and Diane Edmonston, two Newport mothers who were involved in charitable endeavors with their daughters, realized the young men were not getting any exposure to philanthropic activities or any form of community volunteerism. In May of this year, the students donated time to the Relay for Life event sponsored by the American Cancer Society and took away the honor of “Best Youth Team.” Organizers are reaching out to parents in the communities to encourage their sons to get involved in this grassroots effort to inspire and to educate future leaders of America. For more information please contact Sharon Pettis at (949) 720-3990 or e-mail slpettis@cox.net.

The fourth annual HomeWard Fall Benefit in Newport Beach takes place Oct. 27 at the Marriott Newport Beach Hotel. HomeWard is an Orange County-based group dedicated to positive parenting. Each year the fall benefit honors a local resident dedicated to promoting positive family values.

The 2007 honoree is Bob Shank, founder and CEO of the Masters Program. This is a coaching experience that mentors people coast to coast assisting nonprofits in their early stages of development. Jim Burns serves as founder and president of HomeWard and is expecting a crowd of more than 400 guests supporting the upcoming event. For more information call Donna Toberty at (949) 651-8341.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.