Starry Cast for WAIF Benefit

Look to the Century Plaza on Feb. 8 for a star-packed evening. Everybody loves Julie Andrews and Blake Edwards--and they will receive WAIF’s National Humanitarian Award that night for their efforts in finding adoptive homes for “hard-to-place” kids.

These are children who are handicapped, older or members of minorities. When Jane Russell, an adoptive parent herself, founded WAIF more than 30 years ago, those were just the kids she wanted to help. And more than 40,000 children have been placed through WAIF’s work.

Now for the work of the black-tie party, which Carol Burnett is chairing: Her co-chairmen include Gary Nardino (who serves as chairman of WAIF’s national council), Jack Lemmon, Ross Hunter, Ginny and Henry Mancini, Merv Adelson, Burt Reynolds and Loni Anderson, Grant Tinker, Felisa and Nick Vanoff, Barbara and Marvin Davis, Ava and Chuck Fries and former President Gerald and Betty Ford, among others.

Dudley Moore, Rich Little, Mancini and Andy Williams will be spotlighted for the entertainment. And, with the money raised, WAIF hopes to place 200 children.

With that cast, they could also make a great movie.

AND MORE AND MORE STARS--It will probably set the star-quotient record again this year. That’s right. It’s Celebrity Day at MacLaren Children’s Center in El Monte organized by the United Friends of the Children.

The United Friends are a constant presence at the center for abused and abandoned children. Once a year they bring their show business buddies along to visit, play games and generally hang out.

Look at the list already signed on--Mel Gibson, Michael Keaton, Martin Short, Chevy Chase, perennial favorites Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman, Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Goldthwait, Pee-wee Herman, Richard Dreyfuss, and, of course, Henry Winkler, “Mac’s” longest-time celebrity supporter whose wife, Stacey, is president of United Friends.

The stars can take a second out and see the amazing work done last year through the efforts of the United Friends--celebrating the renovation of the gym made possible by a grant from the Amateur Athletic Foundation, the Disney Family Foundation and the Disney Foundation. New cottages, designed and refurbished by Susie Field, as well as a newly built library will also be on view.

So applaud the stars March 11--but let’s save some applause for the staunch members of the United Friends of the Children who are featured players at MacLaren all year long.

BRAVO, ENCORE--In a repeat performance (this is the seventh stellar year) the Silver Circle of the Venice Family Clinic hosts what could be the standard “gala evening of dinner and dancing” at the Century Plaza. But wait--those making a $1,000 contribution to the clinic will get not just the gala evening, but a visit to the home of one of L.A’s top collectors of art.

Among the collectors who will be opening their doors are Bea and Phillip Gersh, Naomi and Leonard Feldman, Fred Weisman, Bobbie and Bob Greenfield, Marcia Weisman, Gloria and Jerry Lushing and Elyse and Stanley Grinstein.

The committee putting it together is chaired by Patti Marcus, with members that include, among others, the clinic’s president Irma Colen, Karen Gould, Ruth Bloom, Jeanne Meyers and Laura Maslon.

The gala event is Feb. 5--and the $1,000 contributors also get tickets to the coming Venice Art Walk. Now that’s a deal.

AND MORE AND MORE--The Community Leadership Involvement Cabinet of the Fashion Industries Division of the United Jewish Fund presents what co-chairmen David Gordon and Stanley Levine promise will be the “Fabulous ‘50s.” It’s Feb. 4 at the Hollywood Roosevelt and features the Shirelles and the Crests. And “Be there in bobby socks or be square!” . . .

Cheerful Helpers for Handicapped Children of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center host their annual (it’s the 54th) dinner dance Feb. 18 at the Beverly Hilton. Ruth Fenton is chairing and Gail Silver is putting together the souvenir journal.