Party Proceeds to Cancer Research
Concern Foundation for Cancer Research expects almost $1 million when proceeds from its annual Rodeo Drive Block Party May 17 are totaled. Anne Francis, Arte Johnson, Suzanne Pleshette, Betsy Palmer, Tom Poston, Elliott Gould, Anne Jeffreys and others served as celebrity bartenders. Nearly 2,000 persons paid $300 a ticket to take part in the afternoon, which featured food from local restaurants, entertainment and an auction. Concern was founded in 1968 by 14 couples whose lives had been touched by cancer. It is a volunteer organization, except for one paid administrator. Jackie Gottlieb was party chairwoman. Coordinators included Frankie Berger, Robert Goldman, Sandy Goldman, David Oliver, Ruth Peskin, Debbie Powell, David Schaeffer and Howard Walter.
The Child Study Center of St. John’s Hospital and Health Center in Santa Monica raised $500,000 at its annual Jimmy Stewart Relay Marathon May 17. Stewart was host. Co-host Robert Wagner, along with the 3,500 runners, honored Stewart, who celebrated his 84th birthday May 20. Athletic X-Press, KCBS-TV, Purely American Artesian Water and others sponsored the marathon.
Down Syndrome Assn. of Los Angeles raised more than $100,000 at the “Life Goes On” celebrity golf classic May 8. Actor Bill Smitrovich was host. Proceeds will be used to continue education, counseling, employment and recreational programs for Down’s syndrome patients and their families. Judy Rubenstein and Kathy Heukrodt were co-chairwomen.
Stuart House, a facility of the Rape Treatment Center at Santa Monica Hospital, will receive $15,000 to provide services for sexually abused children. Proceeds are from a May 16 celebrity clothing sale held at The Place & Co. Benefit sale of secondhand designer clothing will continue through Saturday. Bette Midler is honorary chairwoman. Chairwomen are Sandra Moss, Verna Harrah and Susie Field.
Five Acres, a treatment center for abused and neglected children in Altadena, has announced donations of $192,500 for its new school and developmental learning center. The new facility will be dedicated Sunday. The Weingart Foundation has given $150,000 to provide room for 12 new students in Five Acres’ school program and 20 more children in residential facilities. Other grants--$10,000 from J. W. and Ida May Jameson, $5,000 from American Express and $2,500 from Junior League of Pasadena--will be used to purchase playground equipment. SHARE (Share Happily and Reap Endlessly) has given $25,000 for research.