R S V P / ORANGE COUNTY : RIO Supporters Get Fired Up for a Cause

Like many property owners, the Rehabilitation Institute of Southern California worried about paying off the mortgage, but Sunday those fears went up in smoke.

About 150 institute supporters attended RIO’s burn-the-mortgage party, a black-tie gala at the Ritz restaurant in Newport Beach. Guests paid $125 each to attend the “Evening of Elegance” dinner, raising more than $125,000 for RIO to pay off the balance on its $600,000 mortgage.

Fiery End

Party-goers clad in tuxedos and evening gowns assembled for a champagne reception outside the Ritz, gathering around a table to watch the burning of the mortgage. With “You Light Up My Life” playing in the background, eight RIO supporters and volunteers held burning white candles and, with a little patience, set the mortgage on fire. The document burned to ashes in a silver urn.

“We’ve been through some tough times, times when we worried about paying the bills,” said Jim Owens, RIO board member. Paying off the mortgage will free up $60,000 annually for institute services.

Among the flame bearers was Mary Moore-Young, a longtime RIO supporter who helped make the payoff possible.

“We tend to shy away from people with disabilities,” Moore-Young said. “I have (a disabled person) in my family, so I know what it’s like.”

Another flame bearer was 7-year-old Tiffany Anderson, who has cerebral palsy.

“She could barely walk when she first went to the institute,” said Carol Reese, Anderson’s grandmother and assistant to the executive director at RIO, who looked on as her granddaughter walked up to the table to join in the ceremony.

Ritz Hospitality

Guests later adjourned to the Ritz’s dining room for a five-course feast. Among the offerings prepared by chef Claude Koeberle were scrambled eggs served inside the shell with caviar, wild mushroom soup (cleverly prepared to look like a cup of cappuccino), Maine lobster salad, broiled lamb sirloin and barley risotto.

Ritz owners Hans and Charlene Prager hosted the dinner on RIO’s behalf.

“It’s not a glamorous charity; it doesn’t get in the news often, but they do the most outstanding work,” Hans Prager said.

The Orange-based institute serves people of all ages with developmental disabilities, regardless of their ability to pay. Stroke patients, children with developmental problems and people who have suffered brain damage are among those served. Programs include physical, occupational and speech therapies, vocational services, child care and housing.

Fred Vescial was 18 months old when he came to the institute 29 years ago for treatment of spinal bifida.

“I would never have achieved the level of independence that I have without their help. They instilled self-confidence in me that’s served me throughout my life,” said Vescial, who lives in Blythe and teaches English as a Second Language at a community college.

RIO Golf Classic XII, another benefit for the institute, will be Monday at the Green River Golf Course in Orange.

Those attending the gala included: Praim Singh, executive director of RIO; Steve Harrison, board president, and his wife, Carla; Michael Carona, Maryann Brown, Linda Graf, Betty Poole, Gayle Fuller, Dick and Muriel Yarger, Gloria Gunton, Nancy Mockett, Walt Walton and Robert Lavoie.