Gala Boosts Overpopulation Fight

Population Education Committee honored Jack Lemmon at a black-tie gala Sept. 15 at the Beverly Hilton. The committee was founded in 1986 to educate the public about population growth and environmental degradation. Honorary chairmen were Shirley MacLaine, Henry Rogers and Robert Wycoff. Net proceeds of $50,000 will be used to provide programs to combat overpopulation.

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Music and Entertainment Industry Chapter for City of Hope National Medical Center raised $2.5 million at its Sept. 17 black-tie “Spirit of Life” tribute to Michael Dornemann, chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann Music Group. Chapter president Zach Horowitz, Clive Davis and Al Teller hosted the benefit gala attended by more than 1,200 guests. The chapter, founded in 1974, has raised more than $20 million for City of Hope.

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National Parkinson Foundation and Roto-Rooter co-hosted a “Play Ball!” fund-raiser at Dodger Stadium Sept. 21 and netted $100,000. Sponsors included Capital Bank of California, RehabWorks and Vacation Internationale. Proceeds will benefit the Russell Hoffman/Warner Remick Parkinson’s Disease Research Fund.

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Sojourn Shelter for Battered Women netted $75,000 at its “Lights! Camera! Sojourn!” benefit Sept. 19 at the Biltmore. Peg Yorkin, co-founder with Eleanor Smeal of the Feminist Majority Foundation, was the evening’s honoree. Sojourn, a project of Ocean Park Community Center, has been providing shelter, crisis intervention and counseling to battered women and their children for 15 years. Gala proceeds will benefit the emergency shelter and children’s programs. Meryl Shader and Sansi Victor were co-chairs.

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The annual Westwood Presbyterian Church Mission benefit musicale held Aug. 2 in Westwood, was hosted by Anthony Hopkins. Performers included Haldan Martinson, Anders Martinson and the gospel choir of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Proceeds of $40,000 will be shared equally by the following public service organizations: People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), Child Share (a temporary foster care program for abused infants), Westside Food Bank and the Riot Recovery Program of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

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Sisters of the Good Shepherd Shelter’s Home for Victims of Domestic Violence and the Homeless received $500, net proceeds from a July chili cook-off sponsored by Exec Chapter, L. A. Sunset District of the International Federation of Business & Professional Women’s Clubs.

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South Bay Free Clinic in Manhattan Beach was the beneficiary of $1,000 from the Sandpipers organization. The donation will go to the clinic’s HIV/AIDS program, which includes counseling and referral services and anonymous free testing.

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Challengers Boys & Girls Club, an organization that helps inner city youths through education, received a $24,000 donation from Lucky Stores and the Dial Corporation.

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Cancer Detection Center of the Cancer Prevention Society announced a $20,000 grant from the Thomas Eckstrom Foundation. Proceeds will be used to promote low-cost screening for low-income people.