‘Heart’ Premiere Aids End Hunger Network

The End Hunger Network netted $27,000 at the premiere screening of “American Heart” May 11 at the Pacific Design Center. Among those attending the benefit were the film’s stars, Edward Furlong, Tracey Kapisky and Jeff Bridges, who also produced the film. Proceeds will be used in the entertainment community to create and support media projects, programs and events to educate and motivate the public to take action against hunger.

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Women in Need Growing Strong, a shelter for battered women and their children, netted about $140,000 at the April 30 Annual Panasonic/WINGS Celebrity Pro-Am Golf & Tennis Classic sponsored by San Gabriel Valley YWCA. Robert Wagner, Michael Tucker, Charlie Jones and Richard Roundtree were among the celebrities participating in the benefit at Sierra La Verne Country Club.

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Visiting Nurse Foundation raised $25,000 at its “Friends Afloat” benefit and dinner cruise May 2 aboard the Pacific Hornblower Yacht at Marina del Rey. Proceeds will benefit the association’s counseling and education program for children whose parents or siblings face a life-threatening illness. Pat Penny was chairman.

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MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Los Angeles chapter, raised $45,000 at its second annual Mother’s Day luncheon and auction May 9 at the Century Plaza Hotel. Proceeds will benefit victim assistance, education and public awareness programs. Casey Sater was chairman.

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Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the Miriam Jacobs Chair in Maternal Fetal Medicine and the Gilda Radner Ovarian Cancer Detection Program will share $350,000 raised at the April 30 “Mother of the Year” luncheon and fashion show honoring Connie Stevens. This 64th annual event, sponsored by Helping Hand, a support group of Cedars-Sinai, was held at the Beverly Hilton. Board members Virginia Glasband and Janet Lancet were also honored.

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Soroptimist International of Los Angeles raised $10,000 at its annual fund-raiser March 2 at Universal Studios. Funds will provide shelter for battered women and their children at two homes owned and supported by the group.