Spreading Wings

The event: Le Bal des Papillons (Ball of the Butterflies), a black-tie gala celebrating the 20th anniversary of Interval House, which provides shelter and services to women who have fled abusive homes. Held Saturday at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point, the ball raised funds for Interval House services in Orange and Los Angeles counties.

Dance of the butterflies: More than 400 guests descended upon the hotel, which sparkled with thousands of white mini-lights and holiday finery. After a champagne reception in the courtyard, party-goers adjourned to the ballroom for a gourmet dinner, dancing to the Danny House Orchestra and a concert by the Righteous Brothers.

Mingling with Jerry Mathers (“The Beaver”) and comedian Jo Anne Worley were about 30 past and present clients of Interval House. “A lot of graduates come back to volunteer. Some have been involved for 20 years,” said Janine Limas, the agency’s community education director and a former client. “This event speaks for what Interval House has done for women.”

Building a cocoon: Interval House was started by a small group of volunteers in a Seal Beach home. “It was very much a grass-roots kind of thing. We never dreamed it would turn into this,” shelter co-founder Isa Smashey Rogers said.

Interval House operates three emergency shelters for abused women and their children, along with transitional homes for clients returning to school or work and “trying to get on with their lives.” The agency offers a wide range of counseling and outreach programs in 36 languages. Interval House has won more than 300 public service awards, and was recently designated a Presidential Point of Light by President Clinton.

Quote: “The Papillon ball is a metaphor for what happens to the women of Interval House,” said Robert Armstrong, board president. “They emerge from the shelter like a butterfly from a cocoon.”

Bottom line: The gala was expected to net $200,000 for shelter programs and operating expenses.

Man of the year: Interval House honored Academy Award-winning actor Rod Steiger for speaking out about his battle with depression. “He symbolizes our philosophy of sharing and helping others,” said Carol Anne Williams, executive director of Interval House. “Some [clients] watched him talk about his depression on Larry King, and they were really moved.”

Steiger said he’s been vocal about his 10-year battle to overcome depression because he’s “trying to fight the stigma of mental disease.”

Faces: Joyce Kakkis, ball chairwoman; Mark Thompson; Gil Garcetti; Chris Darden; Britt Ekland; John Schuck; Linda Purl; Erik Estrada; France Nuyen; Trini Lopez; Lee Meriwether; Sally Kellerman; Gerard Ismael; and Roger Perry.

How to help: For volunteer opportunities, contact the Interval House headquarters at (310) 594-9492. The emergency hotline numbers are: (714) 891-8121 or (310) 594-4555.