Charity Scorecard

The elegance of European rail travel aboard elaborately decorated Art Deco coaches of the 1920s was re-created for the “Starlight on the Orient Express” Crystal Ball at Union Station on Sept. 19. The Methodist Hospital of Southern California Foundation’s annual dinner-dance raised about $100,000 for health programs for San Gabriel Valley schoolchildren. More than 500 guests attended to honor Clifford C. Goodrich, director of the Methodist Hospital Foundation, for his years of community service and his many contributions to the hospital. Goodrich is president and chief operating officer of Los Angeles Turf Club Inc., operators of Santa Anita Park. Local business owners and community leaders Gregg and Laura Freedman co-chaired the event.

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Chef Michael Shafer of Depot in Torrance prepared a barbecue dinner for about 400 guests at the “Autumn in the Garden” fund-raiser Sept. 13. The event, held at the South Coast Botanic Garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, raised about $50,000 for the Wellness Community-South Bay Cities. Viveca Paulin of Butterfield & Butterfield led a live auction that included cruises and travel packages. A silent auction offered nearly 150 items ranging from spa and dining packages to fine art to a Barbie doll in a Bob Mackie gown. The Wellness Community offers free weekly support groups, relaxation sessions, nutritious lunches, exercise and yoga classes, professional guest speakers and social events for cancer patients and their loved ones.

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Actress Vivica A. Fox hosted the “Celebrity Skin Care Secrets Day Spa” held at the Argyle Hotel in West Hollywood Sept. 15. More than 400 people attended the event, raising $26,000 for Cancer Care Inc., which provides educational programs, counseling and online services for people who are caregivers to cancer patients. Fox shared her skin care secrets, and guests donated money for treatments such as foot massages, pedicures and make-overs. Vaseline Petroleum Jelly sponsored the event and donated $25,000 of the proceeds.

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About 140 people gathered Sept. 13 for the “Affair of the Heart” and raised $10,000 for Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center’s recently opened Newborn Intensive Care Unit. The event was held at Jack and Zarig Youredjian’s English country estate in Glendale, formerly owned by Roy Disney. Among the guests were two of the evening’s honorees: Glendale Memorial’s Chief of Staff Dr. Dario Perez and Dr. Dariush Arfaania, chief of staff-elect.

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Has your group held a charity fund-raiser recently? 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 news release to Social Sunday, Life & Style, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, or fax to (213) 237-4888. Submissions must reach us no more than two weeks after the benefit.