Gala Aids Maple Center

The Maple Center’s 20th anniversary ball Oct. 27 at the Beverly Hilton, netted more than $250,000. Rosalynn Carter was guest of honor at the black-tie gala attended by 700 guests. The center, founded in 1972, provides counseling to individuals, groups and families who live or work in Beverly Hills. It also provides counseling and tutoring to students in the area and other services.

St. Joseph’s Center will receive $15,000 raised Oct 29, at a benefit gala at the Hotel Bel-Air. The event was hosted by Cecelia and Clifford Waeschle and Rick Merrill, president of Prudential Rodeo Realty. Proceeds will benefit the center’s programs for the homeless. Rhonda Meister is director of the center.

National Council of Negro Women will receive approximately $100,000, net proceeds of the Nov. 1 Family Night Reunion Concert at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Dorothy I. Height, president and CEO of NCNW, was the evening’s honoree. Prior to the tribute, guests watched a two-hour taping of the concert produced by Don Jackson, president of Central City Productions. The show will air in Los Angeles Nov. 21 on KDOC-TV.

Santa Monica Hospital Medical Center’s sixth annual benefit, “Gala 1992,” raised $220,000 for the hospital’s advanced gynecologic surgery program and maternal and child health services. Debbie Reynolds was guest entertainer at the Oct. 24 benefit attended by more than 500 guests at the Sheraton Los Angeles Airport Hotel.

The Presidents Club of Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services held its annual benefit and silent auction Oct. 17 at the Santa Monica Pier and Carousel. The party and benefit performance of the Cirque Du Soleil netted $65,000 to provide services for emotionally disturbed children and their families.

The HELP Group, a school in Sherman Oaks for children with special needs, netted $53,000 at a black-tie dinner/dance, auction and celebrity tennis tournament Oct. 10 and 11. The event was sponsored by MountainGate Country Club and FHP Health Care. Proceeds will support residential programs at the school.

Arthritis Foundation raised approximately $85,000 at its eighth annual Jane Wyman Humanitarian Award Dinner Oct. 22 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The black-tie gala honored KABC-TV’s “Home” show co-host Sarah Purcell, a long-time foundation volunteer. Proceeds will be used for research.