Benefit Helps For Kids Sake Curb Abuse

Ninety-three guests donated $75 each to attend “An Evening of Summer Elegance” a garden party staged by Volunteers For Kids Sake at the Plaza at Villa del Sol in Fullerton.

Proceeds, estimated at about $7,000, will be used to help fund For Kids Sake Inc., a Brea-based organization dedicated to child-abuse education programs.

Amid the lush planting of the plaza, with its tile-roofed Spanish architecture, the Chez Strings Trio set a gracious mood Thursday night. During cocktails, guests sampled a buffet of fresh fruit, cheeses and crudites before dining at white-clothed tables, colorfully set with fresh flowers and pink napkins.

Among those savoring a dinner of chicken cordon bleu in white wine sauce, potatoes Wellington and pink pears with watercress were volunteers Jerry McJunkin and Mel Williams. McJunkin is president of the Hughes Fullerton Employees Ecology Club, which helps raise funds for For Kids Sake Inc.

Williams devotes 15-20 hours a week to the organization, he said, “because I just don’t like what’s happening (what with children being abused) and we need to get more involved.”

For Kids Sake Inc. was founded in 1974 by James J. Mead, a former Brea police officer. With much enthusiasm on Thursday night, Mead showed guests the organization’s training manuals for recognizing and effectively dealing with abuse and neglect. Mead noted that the manuals have had an international impact on medical and law enforcement personnel, educators and church members.

Brochures for Parents

He also pointed out 16 brochures written for parents, which highlight frustrations of child rearing and how to deal with them. “We’ve put 2 million of these in circulation in two years,” he said with pride.

Mead praised the “phenomenally helpful” Elaine Redfield, who, besides being president of the support group, edits its publications and serves on the For Kids Sake Inc., board.

Benefit Chairwoman Susan Winston emphasized the importance of getting information on child abuse “out because (abused) children don’t tell.”

Committee members for the benefit included Alma Hall Bean, Kay Klinger, Susan Rigby, Pat Mead, Jeanne Eslinger and Nancy Welch.

Other guests included Paul and Virginia Knott Bender; Jack Hendricks and Helene Eisenberg; Dr. and Mrs. Ted Jones; Dr. Gerald Richards, and Eva and Fred Schneider.