Celebrity Day at MacLaren Children’s Center

Mark, a young resident at MacLaren Children’s Center in El Monte, described what he’s doing as “chasing down movie stars.”

He’s very good at this. As proof, the 11-year-old showed off an inch-thick pile of freshly taken Polaroid photos of himself alongside his celebrity prey. There were so many pictures, it was reminiscent of Zelig, the Woody Allen character who was always photographed near the famous.

“These are girls from ‘Step by Step,’ ” he said, rifling through the photo deck. “And this is the Fonz.” Then he paused and turned a couple of upside-down photos around. “And this is the Fonz. And this is the Fonz.”

Obviously, Saturday’s Celebrity Day at MacLaren Children’s Center was the perfect place for a kid with a Fonz fixation. This was the annual picnic/party hosted by United Friends of the Children for the 300 residents of L.A. County’s emergency shelter for abused or neglected children.

What made it especially good for Fonz-loving youngsters was the presence of the Fonz’s wife, Stacey Winkler, who co-chaired the event with Nancy Daly, Lisa Rich, Sue Revitz and president Toni Shulman.

“This is a day about giving back,” said Winkler. “This is day when the celebrities can make the kids feel special.”

It wasn’t just a day of celebrity chasing. Mark also got a plastic bag filled with “really good stuff” won at the carnival-style games. “I have to go get more,” he said, running toward the action.

MacLaren Children’s Center resembles a junior college campus. There are a dozen or so one-story brick buildings connected by open-air covered walkways. The complex includes a nursery, residence halls and school.

Though the center is institutional, it is by no means bleak. Years ago it had been a juvenile detention center, but much effort has been made, especially by the United Friends, to humanize the surroundings.

Out on the massive grassy playground, and especially beneath the trees where donated food was served, the 75 celebrities--including Connie Selleca, Rikki Lake, Tevin Campbell, Neal Patrick Harris, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Grant Shaud, Jon Lovitz, the cast of “Melrose Place,” and the rap groups Immature and Bell Biv Devoe--mingled with the children.

Also on hand were members of the San Francisco ‘49ers, who paid their way down for the 11th straight year, and Patrick Malone, Kelli Martin, Marlee Matlin, Sheena Easton and Rosie Perez.