College Supporters Honor Can-Do Spirit

Cypress College Foundation saluted nine patriotic people for making outstanding contributions to their communities at a star-spangled black-tie gala.

Six hundred guests turned up at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on Saturday for the foundation’s 18th annual Americana Awards Banquet. The $135-per-person gala raised $105,000 for the community college.

Points of Light

“What’s good about America? People who volunteer. This is about honoring those people,” said Keith Nelson, banquet chairman.

The Americana banquet was first held in 1976--the nation’s bicentennial year--and since then has maintained its patriotic theme.

“This used to be an informal spaghetti dinner. It’s become a rather large event for a little community college,” said Nelson.

Philanthropists John and Donna Crean were named Man and Woman of the Year at the event. Asked why he and his wife do so much for so many, John Crean said:

“The phone rings and people ask us and we can’t say no.”

Causes that involve children and education are especially important to the couple, Donna Crean said.

“The Creans have served the area so well and given so much, they deserve to be recognized,” said Stan Pawlowski, president of the foundation board.

Others receiving awards were Andrea Manes Naylor of Anaheim, Bob Lindsay of Buena Park, John Lawler of Cypress, Paul Scott of Garden Grove, Chris O’Neal of La Palma, Jim Guess of Los Alamitos and Joan Thomas of Stanton.

Stars and Stripes

To carry out the Americana theme, event planners decorated the Grand Ballroom with tall columns of red, white and blue balloons. At tables decorated with red carnations and red and blue napkins, guests dined on petite filet of beef and breast of chicken, fresh vegetables and chocolate and raspberry meringue glace.

Gala proceeds will be used for scholarships and to help match a $51,000 grant for equipment and research.

“Helping kids get an education is so critical. If we can help a little bit, that’s a major milestone,” said Ron Dominguez, executive vice president of Walt Disney Attractions and a foundation board member.

“Unlike private universities and colleges, public-supported colleges are not used to private fund raising,” said Tom Harris, president of Cypress College and chancellor of the North Orange County Community College District. “We’ve got to get used to that. We can’t just keep taking budget cuts. We need to get in the game.”

Others attending were Lloyd Arnold, Ned Fox, Barbara Hammerman, Allen Hughes, the Rev. Ralph Juengel, Dolly Karcher, Terry Kerr, Tachi Kiuchi, Bob Livingston, Sandra McCarthy, Tony Montapert and Marion Knott, Robert Nease, Henry Neishi, Bill O’Connell, James O’Hara, Irv Pickler, Gus Valdespino, Phil Wendel and Bill and Sharon Wood.