Goodwill Ambassadors
The event: 20th Annual Walter Knott Service Award Luncheon, staged by Goodwill Industries of Orange County to salute four individuals who have helped improve the lives of people with disabilities. The tribute was held Friday at the Hyatt Regency Irvine and benefited Goodwill programs.
Lady in red: The luncheon took place in the hotel ballroom, the same place honoree Renee Bondi and then-fiance Mike last danced in 1988, the night before an accident that left her a quadriplegic. Clad in a red suit and performing from her wheelchair, Bondi serenaded the 300 guests with a song about realizing their dreams. The 40-year-old San Juan Capistrano resident has a 3-year-old son and travels around the country singing and giving inspirational talks. “Although there’s four of us a little bit in the limelight today, there’s many more of us out there who share the struggles and frustrations [of having disabilities] on a daily basis,” Bondi said.
In Knott’s name: Each year since 1978, the Goodwill’s board of directors has recognized those who share the humanitarian spirit of the award’s first recipient, Walter Knott, founder of Knott’s Berry Farm. In addition to Bondi, the board honored: Rick Boggs, a musician, actor and national spokesman for Airtouch Cellular, who lost his sight at age 5; Judith Partridge, CEO of Eastwood Insurance Services Inc., who started the My Brother Joey Foundation in honor of a brother born with Down syndrome, and Kathy Buckley, a deaf comedian. Three artists with disabilities who won the Knott art competition also were recognized: Noah Erenberg, Moki Martin and Francoise Frigola.
Quote: “Our honorees are all successful in their field of expertise. They never let their disabilities hold them back,” said Joann Waldron, luncheon chairwoman.
Bottom line: The service award luncheon was expected to net more than $60,000 for the Goodwill. Proceeds will go to education, training and employment services for people with disabilities.
Faces: Walter Knott’s daughters, Marion Knott Montapert and Virginia Knott Bender, who congratulated the honorees; George Kessinger, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Orange County; Bill Wood, board chairman; Ed Arnold, master of ceremonies; Doy Henley; Betty Belden Palmer; Rogers Severson; and Dick and Pat Wallace.
Who to call: For information about Goodwill services, call (714) 547-6308, Ext. 301, or visit the web site at www.ocgoodwill.org.