Soiree Puts Some Warmth Into the Season

For those attending the Todos Seasonal Soiree at the Ritz-Carlton on Thursday, the annual fund-raiser for St. Joseph Hospital in Orange has become a kind of family reunion.

Todos, which means “all of us” in Spanish and serves as the fund-raising arm of the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation, has staged the bash for 14 years. Many who attend it year after year look forward to seeing familiar faces. This year’s party drew a close-knit group of 160, raising $21,000 for the hospital.

Family Affair

“This party is unique,” said Chris Strong, director of development for the hospital foundation. “It’s a little more intimate than some of the galas. There’s a real sense of family.”

Strong attended with her husband, Matt, who is also a Todos member.

For the Kielys, the Seasonal Soiree is a family event. Don Kiely, president of Todos, and his wife, Julia, announced their engagement at a soiree three years ago. Don’s father, Paul Kiely, was a member of Todos. Julia called the evening a combination of “fund raising and friend raising.”

“Their story is typical,” said Strong. “A lot of Orange County families are part of our family.”

Intimate Gathering

The atmosphere at the Dana Point hotel was as cozy as a family get-together.

Guests mingled around a table filled with holiday gifts for the silent auction, writing bids while the Rosary High School Handbell Choir in Fullerton rang out Christmas music on brass bells.

Dinner was in the best Ritz-Carlton tradition, with a salad of local lettuces served with raspberry balsamic vinaigrette, an entree of tender veal loin with lime and peppercorn sauce, a blend of wild and white rice, fresh vegetables and a raspberry charlotte for dessert.

After a live auction for a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida and a stay at the Ritz-Carlton, guests were entertained by Hi Hopes, a group that sang, danced and warmed the audience with handshakes and hugs.

Health Concern

Party proceeds will go toward programs at St. Joseph Hospital that provide health care for the poor.

“Those of us who are fortunate enough to be working find that anything we can do for those who don’t have jobs is rewarding,” said Karl Andrews, soiree chairman.

With the recession, St. Joseph has seen an increase in patients who have no health insurance, according to Terry Belmont, the hospital’s president and chief executive officer. More patients are showing up in the hospital’s overcrowded emergency room, often for minor ailments because that’s the only way they can get health care, Belmont said.

“There’s more people we need to serve, and more of a challenge getting the support,” he said.

Among the guests who paid $125 each to were George and Kate Reeves; Dr. Milo Tedstrom, who treated the hospital’s first patient in 1929; Wanda and Dr. Ty Cobb; James and Loa Farley; Eleanor Graham; Jim and Linda Pierog; Gene and Susan Spiritus, and Dr. Frank Villalobos.