THE CROWD:

They called the party a “celebration of children.” Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) held their 15th annual fundraiser April 12 at The Irvine Marriott Hotel. Some 650 guests turned out to make a difference for neglected children in Orange County.

Chaired by Fred Port, with support from Chris Massey, Erin Woolf, Greg Bradbard, Lynda Sloan, Klye Team and Susan Leibel, the evening raised $670,000.

Generous sponsors of the night included Doug and Melinda McCrea representing Deutsche Bank, Frances and Richard Gadbois III, Jim and Leslie Sullivan, John and Chau Warner, Greg and Nickie Martin, Sharon Cheever and the Honorable Luis Rodriquez, Boyd and Sue Hendrickson, Dick and Britney Weil, Pawan and Seema Sheth, Ann and Gary Shelly, Susan and Don Kang and Bill and Nancy Thompson.

The event honored local patrons John Schofield, Martin Renert, Duana Miller, Anne and Steve Milligan and the law firm of Harold LaFlamme for their outstanding support of CASA efforts to assist children involved in the court system.

Also honored was the firm of IdeaHall and Browne of Irvine, receiving the “Corporate Honoree” distinction. Martin Renert delivered a passionate address telling of his personal experience working with a CASA youth, “Danny,” and his struggles with the courts. Danny stood by Renert as the crowd offered a heartfelt standing ovation.

The party began with a cocktail reception as the crowd arrived at The Marriott.

Distinguished guests Bob and Peggy Sanchez, Lisa and Al Gels, Raili and Ryan Clasen, Annette and Bob McKnight, Jamie and Mohamed El-Erian, Susan and Glenn Schafer and Joan and Bill Cvengros mingled and explored auction items up for bid.

A major part of the fundraising effort centered on “The Ultimate Travel Auction,” which helped to raise the bar.

As a four-course dinner was served by the Marriott staff, The Wayne Foster Orchestra entertained. The dancing crowd was up on their feet during and between courses of the dinner service.

It was in fact the night of “the little black cocktail dress” as the dance floor was filled with chic O.C. gals in Holly Golightly attire. Party planners decorated the ballroom with the theme, “When I Grow Up,” placing empty frames, representing the future, in centerpieces created with red roses and white hydrangeas.

The lively evening was interspersed with more emotional tributes as honoree John Schofield shared with the crowd his personal goal of helping a child without the support of a loving family. Schofield was assigned a 9-year-old boy, “William,” with whom he developed a long and lasting relationship. Today, William is a teenager approaching adulthood, and he proudly refers to Schofield as “his father.”

Spotted in the exuberant gathering were John and Allison Moore, Cindy Leinart, Joyce and Knute Kurtz, Cynthia Kubal, Jim and Tami Hay, Melanie and Ed Fitch, Chris and Mike Gayner, Tammie and Bob Cluck, and Marcia and Hank Adler.

Headquartered in Santa Ana, CASA serves O.C. children referred through cases in the child welfare system. Children are assigned “advocates” who form relationships with the young people providing consistent adult guidance and influence for children who may be moved to and from multiple foster homes in any given year.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.