A Place for Social Responsibility

Looking to join a society clique? Forget Irvine.

In a county where social tribes wield the most social influence, Irvine stands out with an egalitarian society scene.

In Irvine, it’s all in the family. “Family society--that’s what we have,” says Marcia Adler, an Irvine resident since 1972.

Adler knows. As past president of the Junior League of Orange County and founder of Red Ribbon 100--a support group of the Orange County chapter of the American Red Cross--she’s aware of the difference between the Joneses rolling up their sleeves and a figurehead worried her nail polish will chip.

“Here, there is no elite,” she says. “Everybody works together. It’s not about money, the car you drive. It’s about families making sure this city stays a wonderful place. If you’re willing to put in the time to make something happen, you’ll get a lot of support and you’ll be recognized.”

People came to Irvine when there was no social there there; not one cause to call their own. “There was no structure at all,” Adler says. “It was all so new. We spent our first year just getting to know the area.”

Irvine’s schools were the focal point of the first social wave, she says. Schools and civic concerns.

“Then, slowly, the philanthropy dimension was added,” she says. “We began to support organizations that could benefit our community and the county.”

For Donna Brownell--steering committee chairwoman for last year’s opening of the Irvine Barclay Theatre--that meant joining the Irvine chapter of South Coast Repertory Guild.

“The guild was a great experience for young families,” says Brownell, who has lived in Irvine since 1971. “It gave them an opportunity to learn about fund raising--something they really needed to know at the time.”

The Orange County Philharmonic Society was another charity supported by new Irvine residents, Brownell says. With its focus on bringing music to Orange County’s youth via schools, it was a perfect vehicle for Irvine’s social activists.

Brownell also got involved with the Junior Ebell Club, the Children’s Home Society and the Irvine Historical society--where she served as president.

Living in Irvine is synonymous with volunteerism, Brownell believes. “Irvine has always been a community of activists. People came here knowing it was a city they could influence, make their own.

“And there’s no clique. A name isn’t enough. Money isn’t enough. Families here know they have to live up to responsibilities.”

During its first 20 years as a city, Irvine has laid claim to some of Orange County’s most prominent society gatherings. The Hyatt Regency Irvine is the annual site of the Orangewood Ball--staged by the Orangewood Children’s Foundation--and the annual Christmas Candlelight Concert presented by the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

The new Irvine Barclay Theatre has become the site of chic, post-performance gatherings. Ditto the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre (where “The Phantom of the Opera” star Michael Crawford mingled with performing arts supporters after an appearance there last summer).

UC Irvine is the site of regular social gatherings held by Research Associates, a support group of UCI’s College of Medicine.

And, who can forget the Sept. 17 brunch staged for supporters of the UCI College of Medicine by heiress Joan Irvine Smith? Omelets stuffed with golden caviar were among the delicacies enjoyed by 1,000 guests. Proceeds were estimated at $90,000. Chances are, it will become an annual affair.

The best part of living in Irvine is “the people you meet,” says Carol Liittschwager, society editor for the Irvine World News. “They’re interesting. Lively. Involved. And here, you don’t get the feeling you have to come up against a group to be able to do something.

“When you have a whole neighborhood starting out at the same time, you end up with a strong family identity.

“This is a town where anybody can play. You just have to get in there and do it.”