Charity Scorecard

Jack Lemmon was the honoree and “Some Like It Hot” was the theme at the John Wayne Cancer Institute Auxiliary’s Odyssey Ball on April 4 at the Beverly Hilton. The event, attended by 800 guests, raised $500,000 for cancer research and treatment. Since its inception in 1983, the auxiliary has raised more than $6 million for the institute.

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The sold-out American Youth Symphony benefit concert featuring violin virtuoso Sarah Chang at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on March 8 has resulted in a net profit of $250,000 for the orchestra and concluded the farewell season for music director and conductor Mehli Mehta, who has led the orchestra for 33 years. The funds provide music education for orchestra members ages 18 to 25 six free concerts each year and free classical music programs for public school children.

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“Gone With the Wind’s” Tara--created at the old David Selznick Studio in Culver City--was the setting for the 40th anniversary gala of the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Los Angeles.. The March 28 costume ball and silent auction raised more than $300,000 for scholarships for outstanding science students at Southern California universities.

* Assistance League of Huntington Beach has provided $46,000--proceeds of its recent luncheon and fashion show at the Waterfront Hilton--for Operation School Bell. The gift will pay for clothing and shoes and dental care for needy children.

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The American Red Cross Spirit Awards was held April 4 at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. The event recognized the ABC soap “General Hospital” for its story lines dealing with health-care issues and netted $72,000 for Red Cross services in Santa Monica, including disaster preparedness, CPR and first-aid training, youth services, HIV / AIDS education, and the tracing of Holocaust and war victims.

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Has your group held a recent charity fund-raiser? Let us know about it. We will report on selected local benefit projects and events. Please tell us about your organization and the charity you support, how much you raised, how the charity uses your gift and the details of your event--what, when and where. Send a letter or press release to Social Sunday, Life & Style, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, or fax to (213) 237-4888.