Laguna Shanti: Hearts That Care

The event: Laguna Shanti marked 10 years of serving HIV-infected clients with a benefit dinner at Shame on the Moon restaurant in Laguna Beach.

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Caring Hearts: More than 200 Shanti supporters watched entertainer Michael Feinstein and television actress Judith Light receive the nonprofit organization’s Caring Heart awards Sunday. Film and stage star Nathan Lane--who was unable to attend the event--was also singled out for his philanthropic work.

Light began her volunteer work with AIDS organizations after playing the mother of young AIDS patient Ryan White in a television movie a decade ago. “I was powerfully affected by Ryan and his mother,” Light said. “I saw their courage. And from that day forward I became involved.”

Also honored were Tenet California Healthsystem, named Corporate Provider of the Year and Dr. G. Steven Kooshian of Newport Beach, Health Care Provider of the Year.

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That’s Entertainment: Welcoming guests to the black-tie affair was TV comedy writer Bruce Vilanch, who dreams up gags for the likes of Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Bette Midler. “First, I have to apologize for Nathan Lane, who couldn’t be with us tonight,” Vilanch said. “Truth is, we had a fight last night and I bit his ear.”

Vilanch also apologized for Princess Diana being a no-show. “She had nothing to wear,” he quipped.

“Sounds like a lovely affair, but we can’t afford it,” Vilanch said, reading from another ‘letter of regret.’ “Signed: the Orange County Board of Supervisors.”

Feinstein, sitting at a Baldwin grand piano, performed “Love Is Here to Stay,” the last song written by his beloved mentors, George and Ira Gershwin.

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Back to the future: “We started out in a 500-square-foot office with one staff member, 20 volunteers and 25 clients,” said Sarah Kasman, Laguna Shanti’s executive director. “We have grown to a staff of two full-time and two part-time employees and 300 volunteers, who help 500 clients a year throughout Orange County.”

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Quote: “AIDS is an issue where people have the opportunity to get to a higher level of service . . . connect with what we are all really here for,” Judith Light said.

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Guest list: Event chairman R. Chris Prilliman, co-chairman H. Gregory Sexton, Laguna Beach Mayor Paul Freeman and Jim Cline, founder of Laguna Shanti. Also attending were Bill Putney, Tom Davis, Robert Gentry, Kelly Cole, Dr. Penny Weismuller, Tim Olney, Alfred Chavez, Paul Beane, Rosalind Russell, David McDowell, Larry Stahl and Robert Quint.

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Bottom line: Proceeds of about $50,000 will go toward Laguna Shanti’s community programs, which include home-delivered meals (more than 18,000 last year) and outreach services providing emotional support, personal enrichment, spiritual guidance and education.

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What’s Next: Annual 5K run on Sept. 6 in Laguna Beach with HIV-positive triathlete Jim Hawley. For information: (714) 494-1446.