THE CROWD:

The Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda opened its formidable doors on a recent Friday evening for more than 300 guests from all over Orange County to celebrate the 2008 Salvation Army “Spirit Awards.”

Warren Duffy, TV and radio personality, served as master of ceremonies.

Duffy is one of the most recognized Christian voices on the Southern California airwaves, serving as an assistant to the Rev. Robert H. Schuller in addition to many other positions.

Duffy set the high-spirited, yet reverent tone of the dinner and awards ceremony by honoring a cross section of Orange County philanthropists and volunteers.

Awards were presented to Warren Johnson, Ted Smith, Larry Harris, Herman Dinaberg, Jackie Terrell, Jim Trebilcox, Margaret Arnold, Judy Fitch, Bruce Bronstein, B.V. Castillo and Mike Heller. The honorees represented such categories as Volunteer of the Year, Hero of the Faith, Spirit of the Army, Others Award, and The William Booth Award.

Chaired by Robert Alvarado in association with David Melilli, who serves as chairman of the Orange County advisory board for the Salvation Army, the evening began with a presentation of the colors and the national anthem performed by Philip Cobb.

Following an invocation by Major Steven Bradley, dinner was served to the crowd including donors Jim Carroll, Doy and Dee Henley, Sharon Morrison, Tom and Tamorah Hunt, Dr. Carolyn Hardy, Charlene Immell, Steve and Francis Knott and Newport’s dedicated Jan Landstrom.

Major corporate sponsorship for the Salvation Army came from Angels Baseball, First American Title, BP America Inc., and a host of other generous underwriters.

The annual “Spirit Awards” dinner is an opportunity to remind the community of the work carried out by the Salvation Army throughout the year.

Many people think of the organization as only a holiday fundraising operation to help the less fortunate. Founded in 1887, Salvation Army has worked for the neediest in all 34 communities of greater Orange County.

Its motto is “Doing the most good.” Serving the homeless, troubled youth, disenfranchised seniors, and perhaps most recognized for its rehabilitation services, the organization, which is a part of the Evangelical Christian Church, finds its purpose in the New Testament message of Jesus Christ to “meet the needs of the poor without discrimination.”

Newport-Mesa support for the Salvation Army included John and Virginia Hedlund, Rocky and Carrie Hewitt, David Beadles, the Rev. Charles and Barbara Dennis, Bill Lawless, Paul and Joyce Toberty, Shap and Nancy Bryan, Sandra Brown, Gary Deutsch, Chip and Katie Prather, Barrie and Valerie Hon, Denny and Stephanie Blanchard, Cal and Maggie Queyrel, and Bayshores residents Judy and David Threshie.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.