The Crowd:

On this day of Thanksgiving Americans pause to reflect on the blessings of life in a free and open society. It is a holiday without gifts, yet with a tremendous spirit of sharing.

Appropriately, one local organization known as Childhelp came together last week at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Irvine, to share their good fortune to benefit children in desperate need. The fall luncheon with a Christmas theme attracted nearly 600 guests who came to say, “Yes, we can make a difference in the life of one child.” The charity stands by its motto, “For the Love of a Child.”

The successful luncheon and holiday boutique was chaired with passion by Gina Van Ocker and Susan Whitlock. The two ladies worked all year and asked for little or no formal recognition for their effort.

“We don’t need to be introduced,” whispered Whitlock prior to the event. “We’re just happy that we could help.”

This annual event, which is billed as “Christmas Through The Eyes Of A Child,” begins early in the day with a mid-morning reception and welcome followed by several hours of shopping at the many holiday-inspired boutiques set up in the Hyatt lobby area.

The luncheon and the program began about noon hosted by Childhelp’s Orange County President Diana Miner of Lido Isle. Committee members including Jacquie Casey, Katherine Meredith, Dale San Filippo, Cathie Caporaso, Mary Allyn Dexter, Robin Iacono and Shan Womach, to name a few, were applauded for valiant efforts. Also receiving accolades were Childhelp National board member Patti Edwards and her husband, Jim Edwards, and major sponsors Kim and Tom Bengard, Janet and Tom Brown, Patty and Paul McDonald, Christine Bren, Olivia Abel, Ema and Don Minkoff, Eileen and Rich Saul, Maureen Ramer, Pam Pharris, Kathy and John Slavik, and premiere event underwriting patrons Jacquie and Michael Casey.

Despite the soft economic conditions for charities, the O.C. chapter has managed to raise and donate significant sums over the past decade in support of the Merv Griffin Childhelp Village at Beaumont and group homes in the Costa Mesa community caring for foster children.

Known for taking the most difficult cases, Childhelp, founded 50 years ago by Yvonne Fedderson and Sara O’Meara Sigholtz, has grown into a significant national children’s charity.

Part of the fun of the annual gathering is the drawing of opportunity prizes. The generous gifts are donated by local merchants, and patrons purchase tickets for their desired chance at winning. This year’s grand prize drawing came courtesy of South Coast Plaza: a $3,000 shopping spree and a one-year valet parking pass.

Charitable guests spotted in the upbeat crowd were Kim Newman, Pam Selber, Sandra Ayres, Lorna Berle, Cleo Bluth, Leslie Cancellieri, Jennifer Condas, Pat Cranford, Jean DeVries, Bea Edwards, Mary Kay Groff, and Sara and Gary Hinman. Also in the crowd Pastor Horton from Childhelp Village, Mary Anna Jeppe, Karen Littlefair, Chris Overstreet, Corky Winters, Ron Perez and the staff of Images Salon, Corona del Mar, all major Childhelp sponsors.

Wishing all Newport-Mesa citizens a very happy, healthy and joyous Thanksgiving.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.