Charity Scorecard

The cast of “Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk” joined guests at Center Theatre Group’s post-performance benefit March 7 at the Ahmanson Theatre. The show and party on the Music Center Plaza raised $50,000 for four CTG programs that encourage diversity in the performing arts: Blacksmyths provides a collaborative environment for African American writers; the Asian Theatre Workshop focuses on developing work by Asian Americans; the Latino Theatre Initiative is designed to increase theater participation and attendance in L.A.’s Latino population; and Other Voices brings the experiences of the disabled to theater productions..

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Terre, Marlo, Tony and Rose Marie Thomas hosted the 36th annual gala for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, netting $1.3 million for the Danny Thomas Memorial Endowment Fund for the Memphis, Tenn., facility, which serves children with cancer and other catastrophic illnesses. Garry Shandling and Bette Midler headlined the benefit March 5 at the Beverly Hilton.

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More than $630,000 will go to cardiovascular education and research programs throughout greater Los Angeles, proceeds of the American Heart Assn.’s Heart Ball held Feb. 27 at the Beverly Hilton. Clint Black entertained and 650 attended the heart healthy dinner and computer auction of items including a week at a Scottish castle and a cruise through the Panama Canal.

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Planned Parenthood Los Angeles received $200,000--almost $50,000 more than last year--from its annual Food Fare gourmet feast attended by 1,200 on March 5 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. . . . Rained out by El Nin~o, the recent USC / Norris golf clinic moved indoors at the San Gabriel Country Club, offering professional golf lessons to guests and raising $60,000 for the USC / Norris Breast Cancer Center. Another $30,000 for breast cancer research at the center was raised by a showing of the St. John spring collection hosted by the fashion firm on Feb. 28.

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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.