The Crowd:

As guests arrived at Hoag Hospital’s 43rd annual Christmas Carol Ball at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Laguna Niguel, they were greeted by young girls ice skating on a rink in the Ritz Courtyard surrounded by palm trees.

It was pure Christmas in California, sublime contrasts and fabulous winter décor to put revelers in the mood on a balmy 65-degree December evening by the Pacific Ocean.

As the glamorous contingent arrived at the Ritz Carlton and paraded down the grand stairwell to the lower level ballroom, the gloved wait staff stood at the ready with silver trays brimming with Christmas canapés.

Cosmopolitan martinis colored Santa Claus-red by a dash of cranberry juice were used as toasting glasses for the more than 500 devoted community members, who came together to welcome the holidays and to reaffirm their long standing commitment to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian.

The black-tie holiday gala was once again hosted by Hoag’s 552 Club and the Hoag Hospital Foundation with proceeds from the evening earmarked to benefit the Hoag Neurosciences Institute.

By the end of the evening, more than $600,000 had been donated by the crowd.

Co-chairing this year’s ball were two philanthropic couples — Scott and Pam Shean, and Vahe and Lisa Karamardian.

“This was the best holiday gift for Hoag. Pam and I would like to thank all the underwriters who made this another successful year for the hospital,” Scott Shean said.

It was a night filled with magic and surprises.

Tennis star Lindsay Davenport added a touch of celebrity serving as mistress of ceremonies for the evening. Davenport made it personal by sharing her own very positive experiences with Hoag Hospital.

Davenport was joined by Hoag Chief Executive Dr. Richard Afable, thanking the crowd and introducing VIP guests and longtime dedicated supporters including Newport’s lovely Nora Jorgenson Johnson.

The platinum blond Jorgenson Johnson, who was glamorously attired in a shimmering evening gown, has for years been associated with the hospital along with her distinguished husband, Dr. Jim Johnson, and has led the opening invocation prayer setting the tone of the evening.

Jorgenson Johnson had the enormous audience in the palm of her hand as she requested that the crowd say a prayer of thanks for the doctors, the nurses, the clerical staff, the volunteers and just about anyone who offered heartfelt care for those suffering from illness and needing the services of the hospital.

Jorgenson Johnson’s sentimental invocation was followed by an evening of nonstop merriment, including presentations from young ballet dancers from the Maple Conservatory of Dance, Irvine, youth violinists performing from the Suzuki Violin of Irvine and a mainstay of the financial success of the evening, both silent and live auctions.

The grand prize of the evening was a lease on a 2009 BMW Z4 convertible, donated by Newport’s Sterling BMW and won by Hoag supporter Edward Fedishon.

Another of the grand prizes included a custom piece of jewelry valued at $10,000 donated by Newport Jewelers and sold in the auction to Edward and Nicole Lainfiesta.

Major underwriters of the evening included honorary event Chairs Ron and Sandi Simon of Newport Beach.

The Simons were joined by VIP underwriters Margaret and Tom Larkin, Maralou and Jerry Harrington, Patti and Jim Edwards, Edward Fedishon, and Fariborz Maseeh.

Special recognition was also paid to Bill and Sue Gross for their premiere support of the Hoag Women’s Pavilion, which bears their name.

The crowd table-hopped during the Ritz Carlton dinner service, which featured a duet entrée of filet and grilled salmon. The ballroom was decorated in elegant white on white, taking on a winter theme.

It was surely one of the most upbeat and lively Christmas Carol Balls, marking the impressive growth of Hoag Hospital.

The 498-bed, not-for-profit, acute care facility began more than 50 years ago, and was supported by the vision of local citizens who first established Hoag Hospital as a 52-bed facility in this beachside community, which did not have a decent hospital.

The Hoag 552 Club was established with the ambitious goal that one day the hospital would grow by an additional 500 beds, which would be needed to service the community at-large. Hence, the name took on tremendous optimistic meaning and purpose.

Also spotted in the holiday crowd were Peter and Mary Rabbitt, Kurt and Wendy Lyon, Randy and Suki McCardle, Catherine and Jim Emmi and the “Real Housewife of Orange County” Gretchen Rossi and her boyfriend, Slade Smiley.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.