Fund Nets $6.7 Million

United Jewish Fund Western Region raised more than $6.7 million during its “Super Sunday” phon-a-thon held Feb. 9 at the University Synagogue in Brentwood. The citywide fund supports humanitarian programs.

Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles raised $47,000 at its Feb. 6 bachelor auction at the Regent Beverly Wilshire. Among the 40 bachelors were Davis Gaines of “Phantom of the Opera” fame, KNBC-TV news anchor John Beard and actor Lorenzo Caccialanza.

Los Angeles Regional Foodbank received 100,000 pounds of non-perishable food collected Dec. 14 at the fourth annual Project Robin Hood benefit at Paramount Studios. The fund-raiser was founded by a group of entertainment executives. Sponsors for the event were Absolut, Budweiser, Coca-Cola and Evian. Life’s A Party owner Charlie Scola has coordinated the event each year.

Starlight Foundation was presented with 15 “Starlight Express Smiles-on-Wheels” entertainment trolleys for pediatric patients at local hospitals. The gift, a donation from Mattel Foundation, was announced at a ceremony Feb. 2 at UCLA Medical Center. Other hospitals benefiting from the $45,000 gift are Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The foundation helps seriously ill children.

Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women received $51,250 in grants from three local foundations for its Deaf Kids’ Self-Defense & Safety Program. The California Community Foundation gave $21,250, the Weingart Foundation gave $20,000 and the J. L. Foundation added $10,000. The grants will allow the commission to operate a two-year program for child-abuse prevention and self-defense classes in Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties. More than 3,400 children are expected to benefit.

Fulfillment Fund has received a $1-million dollar donation from Georgia Frontiere. The nonprofit organization, established in 1977, works with the Los Angeles Unified School District to provide college assistance to needy and disabled students. The fund honored Frontiere at a dinner Feb. 14.

The Spare Change Project’s third annual “Bachelor(ette) Auction” raised more than $30,000 for the Family Assistance Program. The event was held Jan. 23 at the Ritz Carlton, Marina del Rey.