Teen shelter hosts fundraiser

NEWPORT BEACH — The Radisson hotel hosted a fundraiser Saturday night for teen mothers and their babies — and at least one lucky guest was expected to go home with a bundle of joy.

It was barely 6 months old, with beady brown eyes and a full head of hair. As hundreds of people milled in the hotel’s reception area, the daughter of one of the fundraiser’s committee members carried it around to show to adoring patrons.

The bundle in question was Bailey, a Chihuahua puppy that served as one of the live auction items to benefit the nonprofit Mary’s Shelter.

The Santa Ana-based nonprofit holds an Irish-themed fundraiser every March to raise money for general expenses, and Bailey — who sported a green bow tie around his neck — joined a trip to Ireland, a set of Anaheim Ducks tickets and six other prizes on the auction list.

“Bailey,” said Barbara Nelson, the executive director of Mary’s Shelter, as passersby stopped to pet the dog. “That’s a good Irish name.”

The fundraiser, titled “Emerald Enchantment,” also featured a silent auction, a raffle, dinner and live Irish music.

Last year, Nelson said, the event netted more than $120,000 for the shelter. Organizers hoped to match that amount again this time.

Mary’s Shelter provides 24-hour-a-day shelter and care for pregnant teens who are homeless or have left their families for other reasons. The nonprofit has a post-office box in Santa Ana but keeps the location of its safe house a secret.

According to Nelson, the property can accommodate 18 girls and 12 babies at a time, and it often provides counseling and job training to girls even after they’ve given birth.

The shelter has a number of corporate sponsors but relies on private donations as well.

Suzanne Anderson of Irvine said she heard about the nonprofit through her church and family and stopped by the Radisson Saturday to lend her support.

“Outside of church, I don’t think people hear a lot about organizations like this unless they’re directly affected,” she said.

In addition to the live auction items, the fundraiser offered 85 prizes in the silent auction, including soap, wine, candles and beauty products.

Laurie Johnson of Ventura said she had her eye on a number of things, but would probably pass on the dog.

“It’s like having a baby,” she said. “Been there, done that.”

MICHAEL MILLER may be reached at (714) 966-4617 or at michael.miller@latimes.com.