VOLUNTEERS : Busy Professionals Make Time for Kids

Orange County’s young professionals are generally viewed as “BMW-driving stiff-shirts” whose only concerns in the world are which sushi bar to hit for lunch and how a nail appointment can be wedged into a busy work schedule.

It’s a stereotype, however, that doesn’t fit a group of young professionals who labor for Concern II, a nonprofit organization that has raised more than $2 million for children’s cancer research worldwide. There are chapters in Orange County, Los Angeles and Cleveland.

Local group members have opportunities to interact with the children they help. “We take them to Universal Studios, tennis tournaments, baseball games, comedy and magic clubs and even Christmas caroling,” says Karen Raab, co-founder of the Orange County chapter. “People think (children with cancer) don’t enjoy doing things that other children like to do.”

Tamar Frenkel, publicity director of the Orange County chapter, says that being a member of Concern II is not only personally gratifying but it is also a way to meet single people with the same interests.

“It makes you feel really good to be able to contribute to a group like this and also meet other people,” Frenkel says. “I found that when I graduated from college and got out into the working world, it was really hard to meet professional people who have the same values as I do. Our generation is always viewed as the generation doing everything for themselves, and it’s just so nice to see people doing things for other people.”

Concern II has a new program called “Kids for Kids,” which “is designed to get more of the married couples involved in the organization,” Raab says. “A lot of the members who started the group are now married and have children. They would like their kids to become involved and to understand and accept children with cancer.”

Bowling tournaments and special parties are offered for the young patients and the children of the volunteers.

On July 12, Concern II will host its annual fund-raiser, “Red, Hot & Blues,” at the Beverly Heritage hotel in Costa Mesa. The event will have entertainment, wine- and beer-tasting and hors d’oeuvres from several local restaurants. Guests can listen to a jazz ensemble and dance to music supplied by KEZY-FM deejay Mark Ferrell, host of “Creative Answers.” The station will broadcast live from the event. Tickets are $35 in advance and $45 at the door. For more information, contact Eileen Yoelin at (714) 973-0330 or (714) 639-1429.