Super bucks win big Sunday

While Eli Manning and Tom Brady battled for Super Bowl supremacy and a win for their respective teams, at a Newport Beach lounge the beginning of the game already marked a victory.

Tentation Ultra Lounge hosted a Super Bowl party Sunday that benefited Orangewood PALS, an affiliate of Orangewood Children’s Foundation, with part of the proceeds of the event going to the organization.

“It really is a big event,” said Marty Dutch of Orangewood PALS. “(Alan Freeman) was nice enough to donate the proceeds to us.”

Freeman helped to organize the event having worked with Orangewood before. He first organized a charity Super Bowl party with Orangewood in 2002, and has worked with various charities since then. About a month ago he was approached to have another party and he opted to go with Orangewood once more.

“(Orangewood is) one of my favorite charities,” Freeman said.

Freeman and Dutch worked together to develop the fundraising event.

One of Orangewood’s affiliates is a program called Athlete’s First which helps train college athletes going into the draft. Through the organization they were able to get college sport stars like Michigan’s Chad Henne and Brian Brohm of Louisville to attend the event.

Athlete’s First also helped provide autographed footballs from sports stars to be auctioned off as part of the fundraiser.

Orangewood uses the funds raised to provide scholarships for emancipated foster youth, as well as support monthly events that include outdoor activities and guest speakers.

Tickets were $25 a person, with an option for special VIP seating. There was buffet style food and a full service bar available. The event was projected to raise about $5,000.

Based on crowd reaction, guests seemed to be leaning toward the Giants.

“Should be a close game,” said Eric Rivkin, a Newport Beach resident sporting his Giants jersey. Rivkin is originally from Newport Beach and decided to watch the game at Tentation over going to Las Vegas.

Boston native Peter Buckley in his Tom Brady jersey had a different take on the game.

“I’m excited about a blow-out,” said Brea resident Buckley. “They will win by at least three touchdowns.”

Despite what happened with the Giants and Patriots, it was Orangewood PALS who came out ahead.

Send donations to Orangewood Children’s Foundation, 1575 E. 17th Street, Santa Ana, CA, 92705. To volunteer, call (714) 619-0204 or go to www.orangewoodpals.org.

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at daniel.tedford@latimes.com.