Benefit Adds $154,000 to Diabetes War Chest
American Diabetes Assn., Los Angeles Chapter, netted more than $154,000 at its annual gala July 6. The event included a preshow buffet held at five Beverly Hills estates followed by a “Five Guys Named Moe” performance at the Ahmanson at the Doolittle Theatre. Funds raised at the benefit, dedicated to the memory of the late Shirley Firestein Gertz, one of the founders of the gala, will help continue the fight against diabetes. The committee has raised more than $5.2 million since it was founded almost 19 years ago.
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Casa Colina Children’s Services Center netted $27,000 at its annual Open House/Auction at the center on May 7. Proceeds will benefit children born with developmental delays and those who have suffered severe disabilities stemming from injuries or illnesses. Christine Knudsen chaired the event.
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American Cancer Society’s California Spirit IX held July 18 at the Wallace Neff estate in Beverly Hills netted more than $100,000. In addition to co-host Wolfgang Puck’s wizardry, chefs Makoto Tanaka, Francois Kwaku Dongo, Susan Feniger, Mary Sue Milliken, Tommy Tang, Joseph Manzare, Kevin Ripley, Augustino Sciandri, Philip Chiang, Angelo Auriano, Enrico Glado, Luciano Pellegrini and Joachim Splichal also created their specialties. Pati Miller-Gianne, Sherry Lansing and Kathleen Verratti were also co-hosts.
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Hillsides Home for Children in Pasadena received $2,000 in donations raised by Ravissant Salons in Pasadena and San Marino at their June 21 “Clipping for Charity” benefit offering free cuts and styles. Hillsides Home, celebrating its 80th anniversary, provides shelter for abused, neglected and abandoned youngsters.
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Neighborhood Youth Assn.’s sixth annual Celebrity Softball Game, sponsored by Toyota, was held June 13 at Pepperdine University. Net proceeds of $61,711 will be used for comprehensive services to troubled youth and families from low-income, minority areas in the Western and Harbor areas of Los Angeles County. NYA also provides services to preschoolers and elementary schoolchildren at the NYA/Las Doradas Children’s Center.
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American Lung Assn. raised $42,000 at its Breath of Life Award benefit dinner June 29 at the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica. Southern California Edison Co. was honored for its programs to improve air quality, preservation of natural resources and protection of cultural and marine resources. Proceeds will be used for clean air educational programs.