Society

Mr. Blackwell, famous fashion designer who compiles the annual “Ten Worst Dressed List,” shifted his sights last Friday from clothes to people and from worst to his best as he conducted the Newport/Costa Mesa YMCA community service tributes to 10 outstanding Orange County residents: Vincent and Nora Jorgensen, Gen. William and Willa Dean Lyon, Ward and Alice Munson, Barbara Ruffini, John Farmer Jr., and William and Nancy Steiner.

The commendations were the focus of a black-tie benefit that raised $27,000 for the Newport/Costa Mesa YMCA’s Family Counseling Program. Held at the Newport Beach Four Seasons Hotel, the benefit drew 225 guests. The event featured silent and live auctions with items as diverse as a Goodyear blimp ride for six (which went for $650), a dazzling silver-sequined dress from Beaujon Paris which netted $425, and a movable fire hydrant used to reserve convenient parking spaces for the owner (donated by the Mesa Consolidated Water District ).

But, why is the YMCA having a black-tie affair? One usually plans to wear a jogging suit or bathing suit to a Y event. However, times have changed for the YMCA, according to Vice President David Harding. In the past, the Y was an inexpensive Christian residence or hotel, then it became a fitness center. While continuing in those capacities, the YMCA now emphasizes more extensive community services such as the children’s day-care and the family counseling this event supported. (Steve Prather is director of the counseling center.)

James F. Chapel Jr., chairman of the event, indicated that the YMCA’s expanded community service commitment as well as its continuing dedication to family values are exemplified by the 10 honorees.

Indeed the honorees were cited as the backbone of Orange County’s major philanthropies. As Mr. Blackwell commented, “If we didn’t have community involvement of dynamic people like the Lyons, the Jorgensens and the others honored tonight, we wouldn’t have a Performing Arts Center or Orangewood home for abused children. These are the people who make such major projects happen, and the people of Orange County are very much indebted to them.”

The first honoree, Nora Jorgensen, said, “Opera Pacific’s gala is right down the hall (in another room at the Four Seasons)--and that’s where I’d be tonight if I weren’t here.” A founding member of Opera Pacific, Nora is also president of Camelot, a support group for the Performing Arts Center and is a supporter of the Orange County Master Chorale. She and husband Vincent share commitments to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church as deacon and elder, respectively, and to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian--Nora as past chairman of Copa de Ora and Vincent as a member of the 552 Club. Vincent owned Balboa Marine Hardward for years, sold it, and founded Balboa Savings & Loan. He’s a colonel in the Marines, past president of the Rotary and membership chairman on the board of the Performing Art Center.

Gen. Lyon is chairman of the board of Orangewood, trustee for the Performing Arts Center and University of Southern California and supporter of South Coast Repertory as well as member of the UC Irvine Chancellors’ Club. Lyon is chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the William Lyon Co. and AirCal.

Willa Dean Lyon co-chaired the 1985 and 1986 Orange Blossom Balls--Orangewood fund-raisers--and she’s affiliated with Las Socias and the Program for Women Foundation, facilities for homeless women and battered women, respectively. In addition, she’s a member of the Angel of Arts and the Center Corps, auxiliaries for the Performing Arts Center.

While the Jorgensens and Lyons have divvied their efforts between the arts and the needy, William and Nancy Steiner have largely concentrated on children. They have been foster parents for the Children’s Home Society, taking high-risk babies up for adoption into their home, and Nancy is now caring for babies of teen-age girls finishing their education. One woman in the audience said, “Taking babies into your home isn’t so easy. You really have to have great generosity for that.”

William Steiner, currently executive director of Orangewood Foundation, has worked with children most of his life. He has been director of the Albert Sitton Home, is active in the Child Sexual Abuse Network, is on the Advisory Board of Adam Walsh Child Resource Center and is on the Advisory Board of the Victim Witness Advisory Council.

Bill mentioned that he had just addressed a sixth-grade class on the subject of child abuse. When asked how he dealt with such a sensitive subject in a sixth-grade environment, he replied, “Very carefully. I stress the positive side of things--emphasizing how important it is for kids to have people who love and care for them in their lives. So, it’s important to reach out to other kids who are unhappy and hurt, and finally, to encourage young people who are having family problems to take advantage of supportive family counseling, like the YMCA program this fund- raiser supports.”

Like the Steiners, Ward and Alice Munson are involved in youth-oriented efforts such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Orange County, YMCA, Boy Scouts and the UC Irvine Chancellor’s Club. Before their marriage, Alice was dean of women at the University of Idaho and later manager of the Women’s University Club of Seattle. After serving in World War II, Ward started Munson Sporting Goods out of his garage with $3,000. With Alice’s help, he has built it into the largest sporting goods business in the West.

John Farmer Jr. and Barbara Ruffini are young people who have grown up with the YMCA program and have lengthy counseling experience in Y camps and programs while maintaining strong academic, athletic and service commitments.

The designer-clothes modeled for the live auction reflected the high fashion “Mr. Blackwell” theme, athough not all gowns were equally admired. Eyeing a sequined gown with a plain straight skirt and blouson top, Geri Beal said, “That dress must be so expensive because the designer sewed on all the sequins herself.”