Society : New Directions’ Show Raises $10,000
For nine years, New Directions, a residential program for women undergoing treatment for alcohol and other chemical dependencies, has had a dream.
From its inception in 1977, New Directions has leased four separate homes to accommodate 24 residents.
Now, a $1.5-million campaign has been launched to make the dream of permanent facilities become a reality. On Wednesday afternoon, 300 members of Las Socias, an auxiliary of New Directions, and guests attended a luncheon and fashion show, “Image 86,” at the Four Seasons hotel in Newport Beach.
The event raised $10,000, said Kay Brown, the executive director of New Directions.
On view at the reception was a miniature replica of the new 18-bed residence that will be completed in the spring of 1987.
“I’m happy to say that we are halfway there (in fund raising),” announced Dot Clock, founder of Las Socias. “We’ve already raised $800,000 and have been made the recipient of a $150,000 challenge grant. This grant will be offered if we raise $1.3 million by March 31, 1987.”
Earlier, Clock talked about the growing number of young women entering the facility for treatment.
“Sure they’re going to be younger when they start on drugs and alcohol at 10 years of age,” Clock said.
Howard Bland, president of New Directions, took his lunch break from Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co. to attend the event.
Also present were a sizable number of Newport Harbor Junior League members, including board members Mary Dell Lucas, Nancy Hines and President Janet Harris.
Said Harris: “A lot of people forget that New Directions was a league project from the beginning in 1977.”
All three credited Brown, a former fund-raiser for South Coast Repertory, with the financial success of New Directions.
Kitty Leslie, fashion coordinator for Fashion Island, added a new twist to her clothing presentation.
In conjunction with the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Leslie organized FIDM’s Trend Analysis class project with Fashion Island merchants, with students serving as personal shoppers for nine guests.
After private interviews with Clock, Dottie Stillwell, Emma Jane Riley (event chairwoman) and husband Tom, Amy Nott, Jim Harrington, Harriett Harris, Jean Klug and Judi Argyros, students shopped for wardrobes from Fashion Island stores. As part of the fun, the outfits were later worn by models.
The Orange County Chapter of Links Inc., a social service organization for black women, held a tea last Sunday in the UCI Clubhouse to introduce 27 prospective debutantes. They will be formally presented at the fifth annual gala, “A Cascade of Jewels,” at the Anaheim Marriott in April, 1987.
Links President Dorothy Harper greeted the members, future debs and their mothers.
The debutantes, who had devoted 1,300 to 1,500 hours in volunteer work for six months, were introduced by Norma Reagin, co-chairwoman of the debutante gala.
Assisting Reagin with the spring gala will be Cheryl Melton.
Founded in 1948, the Links, a national organization, boasts 7,000 members dedicated to promoting educational, civic and intercultural activities. They are founding members of the Performing Arts Center.
Prospective debutantes are selected on the basis of scholarship, ambition and community awareness. The 1987 Links Inc. debutantes are:
Alisa Artis, Karen Kennedy, Pam Armstead, Charolette Dugan, Tanya Doss, Kristi Humphrey, Jaclyn McClellan, Kimberly Holland, Marla Blake, Leisa Caruth, Karon Heard, Sharon Heard, Joy Johnson, Cathryn Dungy and Karama Payne.
Also, Shenequa Jones, Jullnell Williams, Lori White, Sherre Titus, Debra Thomas, Moica Davis, Dana Steward, Andrea Sennept, Felicia Reid, Kimberly Jackson, Rochelle Clark and Sherri Green.
A “Throw of the Dice” evening for Human Options was held last Saturday night at the Four Seasons hotel, benefiting the South Orange County shelter for battered women.
The third annual black-tie event drew 200 guests at $300 per couple, raising nearly $24,000.
For the past two years, Human Options has presented a fund- raiser called “Entertaining People.”
It was an ambitious, four-day undertaking that had participants re-create rooms from their homes in an allotted space in a hotel ballroom. Following a black-tie preview, tickets were sold to the public for the next three days. Guest speakers were scheduled during lunch.
“We made a lot of money, and people still ask about it,” Sharon Winterhalter said. “But it took a monumental amount of time and energy. Tonight (game night) is a lot easier.”
After welcoming the guests, President Judy Swayne said: “Three thousand people have contacted Human Options this past year.” Among the services provided by Human Options, a United Way member, are a 24-hour hot line and residential shelter and counseling for women and children.
Guests took their “phony dough” given to them on arrival and headed for the 28 tables in the rear of the room. The “money” was turned in for tickets on opportunity prizes.
Trying out their luck were Vivian Clecack, director of Human Options; Helen and Don Starling; Anabel and John Konwiser; Doagie, Tad and Donna Devine; Lee and Diane Bromily, and Dick and Sandy Sewell.
