Winners Build Support for HomeAid
Prominent members of the Orange County building community were the stars of “Hooray for Hollywood,” a fashion show/benefit for HomeAid, the local Building Industry Assn.’s nonprofit program to help the homeless.
Building industry luminaries and their families joined professional models on the runway to show off spring styles from Saks Fifth Avenue in South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, and the Red Balloon in Fashion Island Newport Beach before a crowd of 400 whooping and hollering spectators. The gala, held Saturday at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, cost $100 per person and raised about $50,000 for HomeAid.
That’s Entertainment
“We wanted people to feel they were going to the Academy Awards,” said Donna-Marie Acker, event chairwoman, who carried out the Hollywood theme dreamed up by committee member Angela Tippell.
Guests were seated at tables draped in black with towering crystal vases filled with Easter lilies. After a dinner of chicken breast with papaya and macadamia nuts, the show began with models emerging from the back of the ballroom in sparkling evening wear and sauntering up to the stage like stars on their way to the Oscars.
The amateur models hammed it up on the runway in true Hollywood tradition. A dozen turned up in denim and performed a country-Western line dance to the tune of “Achy Breaky Heart,” with Jay Blakslee of the Chicago Title Co. decked out in leather like a would-be Billy Ray Cyrus.
For the finale, event sponsor Disneyland brought out “Beauty and the Beast” characters Belle and her beast for a waltz to their theme song. Then, while “Be Our Guest” played over the loudspeakers, waiters marched into the ballroom bearing trays of ice cream and strawberries.
Hope for the Homeless
The Orange County chapter of the BIA started HomeAid in 1989 to alleviate the homeless problem by erecting or refurbishing shelters.
“We wanted a fund-raiser that would appeal to the BIA membership,” said Julie Brinkerhoff-Jacobs, HomeAid co-founder. “We’re fortunate that everyone from carpet salesmen to plumbers to architects can share their knowledge.”
By drawing on the materials, time, skill and money of builders and craftsmen, HomeAid has completed 15 shelter projects--an addition of 300 beds county-wide. The shelters are designed to help the “transitionally homeless” get back on their feet, said Bob Albertson, president and chairman of HomeAid.
“They are people who have had a catastrophic event in their life” such as a job loss or illness, Albertson said. Most pay a minimal amount to stay at the shelters so they can save money and move to a permanent home. The average length of stay is one to six months.
HomeAid does not run the shelters--that’s the job of nonprofit care providers. House of Hope, a 48-bed shelter in Orange run by the Orange County Rescue Mission, is HomeAid’s latest and largest project.
Salute to the Stars
Theresa Sherrin received the HomeAid Rainbow of Hope Award for her commitment to the homeless. Sherrin founded the Precious Life Shelter, a home for pregnant women, which was expanded to serve 18 women with help from HomeAid in 1992.
In addition, a 22-piece Marine Corps marching band delivered a special performance in honor of Orange County Supervisor Thomas F. Riley for his efforts on behalf of the homeless. Riley and Anthony Moiso, president and CEO of the Santa Margarita Co., were the event’s honorary chairmen.
Other guests included: John Moschitta Jr., master of ceremonies; Bart Hansen, HomeAid co-founder and BIA president, and wife Tannah; Brenda Silvey, event co-chairwoman; Michael Lennon, HomeAid executive director; Gen. Paul Fratarangelo, USMC, and wife Andrea; models Don and Kate Moe, Donna Varner, Kristine Parker, Desiree Larivee, David and Val Celestin and Mike Dickenson; Jenifer Moody, Andrea Bertrand, Michele Mendoza and Mary Anne Mang.