Angel Wives Go to Bat for a Good Cause

Wives, mothers and daughters of the California Angels met the A-Team--a Western Medical Center support group--Saturday when they modeled spring fashions at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel.

A-Team president Pat Cerrone says her group consists of hospital employees, wives of physicians, community members and supporters of the medical center.

And like wives of the California Angels, the A-Team turned the pre-Mother’s Day affair into a multigenerational happening. Kim Weingarten, event chairman, brought her 8-year-old daughter, Candice, and her mother, Irma Mitchell, to the benefit.

Angel pitcher Mike Witt, who left only his too-young toddlers at home, came with his wife, Lisa; his mother-in-law, Sandra Fenn, and his own mother, Martha Jane, who modeled for the first time. Sue Boone, who is married to catcher Bob Boone, modeled alongside her mother-in-law, Patsy Boone.

The show of swimwear, sportswear, cruise wear and evening wear featured KTLA sportscaster Ed Arnold as fashion commentator. “The only resemblance this has to sportscasting is that you’re flying by the seat of your pants,” Arnold joked. “You never know what you’re going to see.”

With 300 guests each paying $30 to attend, proceeds of the benefit were estimated at $10,000. Organizers said funds would help pay for cardiac monitoring systems in the hospital’s new 22-bed intensive care unit, scheduled to open in July.

After guests enjoyed a luncheon of chicken teriyaki and a sumptuous white chocolate mousse, Cerrone presented Carolyn Gillespie, the hospital’s executive director, with a check for $30,000 from proceeds raised at benefits held earlier in the year.

Also among the models were Meredith Franklin, Kelly Howell, Carol Jackson, Lesley Joyner, Tanya and Demetria Moore, Colleen White, Eva Wilson and Vicky Wright.

Martha Snook, Liz Cheshire, Faith Blean and Wendy Gardian served with Weingarten on the event committee.