THE CROWD:

Their motto is “Strong, Smart, and Bold.” Girls Inc. of Orange County celebrated at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort Newport Beach, sending a strong message about creating opportunities in society for young women.

The evening was chaired by Dee and Gianna Kerrison, attracting more than 400 local guests who filled the elegant ballroom for a dinner conference that welcomed Barbara Cirkva Schumacher, division president of Chanel, Inc.

Cirkva Schumacher flew in from New York to give the keynote address, speaking on the vitality of the Girls Inc. programs designed to empower young women to reach their personal goals in life.

The evening raised more than $309,000 for the local chapter of Girls Inc.

Funds will be used to provide research-based, age-appropriate programs that are designed specifically for girls in the most underserved communities of Orange County. The nonprofit organization strives to “inspire all girls to be ‘Strong, Smart and Bold.’”

The evening was created around a theme of black and white with a splash of red.

Gents in tuxedos and ladies in red gowns or black shimmering cocktail dresses with ruby necklaces enjoyed a three-course dinner at the Bay Club, followed by dancing and a major silent and live auction.

Elaborate red-rose centerpieces designed by Garry Morris Designs were donated to the cause for the evening.

The highlight of the auction was the ultimate Parisian experience which included two tickets to Chanel’s Fall/Winter 2008/2009 Prêt-a-Porte Collection show in Paris and a private tour of Gabriel “Coco” Chanel’s elegantly eclectic apartment in the haute couture salon.

Also featured were a private jet vacation package, a trip to Park City, Utah, and the rental of a 2007 XK Jaguar from Bauer Motors.

South Coast Plaza threw in a shopping spree and a year of complimentary parking. All items helped raise the tally for Girls Inc.

In addition to the high energy, passionate address by Cirkva Schumacher, a highlight of the evening’s presentation was the introduction of three young women: Alex, Angie and Nadia, who shared very personal anecdotes of their lives and told how Girls Inc. has made a difference.

Then, three more girls — including Monique, Grace and Arlene, who is a National Scholar recipient — told of how Girls Inc. taught them to believe in themselves and go after their dreams.

In the crowd were Lucy Santana-Ornelas, executive director of Girls Inc.; Elaine Levin, president of Girls Inc. of Orange County; Harriet and Sandy Sandhu of Pelican Point; Kathy Snodgrass and Valarie Whiting, board members and committee chairs of the evening; Marta and Raj Bhathal; and international fashion designer Marie St. John Gray. Also supporting Girls Inc. were Andy and Pam Policano; Gena and Nick Reed; Mary Carrington; Tricia Burns; Judy and Joel Slutzky of Lido Isle; Marsha and Darrel Anderson of Big Canyon and Paris; Sue and Ralph Stern;Monir and Houshang Jalili; Madeline and Leonard Zuckerman; Debra Gunn Downing of South Coast Plaza; Jennifer and John Condas; David and Jeanne Tappan; Donald and Nancy Wynne; Paul and Marybelle Musco, and Henry and Elizabeth Segerstrom.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.