With Kids’ Needs in Mind

Trading sensible volunteer aprons for fashionable luncheon attire, members of the Assistance League of Newport-Mesa marked 60 years of community service during a gala benefit at the Newport Marriott Hotel and Tennis Club.

More than 500 members dined on chicken Forestiere and mingled with special guest Julie Nixon Eisenhower, who came from Pennsylvania to speak at the Diamond Jubilee celebration.

Since the Newport-Mesa chapter of the National Assistance League was founded in 1940, members have donated millions of hours of service to its community projects for low-income families. Programs include a dental health center and scholarship program.

Longtime league member Martha Crowner called the organization one of the Newport Beach area’s best-kept secrets. “The league’s [outreach programs] are one of the least-known things about Newport Beach,” said Crowner, who gives her age as “70 plus.” “The work they do for children is extraordinary.”

Crowner, who has been a member of the league since 1952, said she joined the organization “because it was the community thing to do.”

Now, after all of these years, she can’t imagine life without the league. “The members are wonderful, dedicated women--some of them very social and affluent, some of them not. But that never made any difference,” she said.

“They all put on their aprons and work in the thrift shop and dental center to help children. That’s what it’s all about.”

Eisenhower, who wended her way through the crowd carrying a colorful nosegay presented to her by members, praised the work the women do for the underserved. “If the community didn’t have them, its spirit would be a shade paler and people would be hurting,” she said.

The league’s projects for low-income families also include Operation School Bell, a program that provides new uniforms, clothing and shoes to students.

The league also supports a theatrical outreach program for students called Kids on the Block, which features puppets that educate them about learning disabilities, physical handicaps and peer pressure.

“It’s wonderful that the league has been able to serve the community for so long,” said Sharon Borlet, who chaired the event with Cynthia Barkeley and Doris Williams. “We’ve helped thousands of children--made a difference in their lives.”

Guests also included league President Jan Murar and committee members Jocelyn Gilbert, Corinne Black, Ann Marie Alford, Barbara Ballinger, Valerie Cook, Dotti Fribourg, Betty Harline, Anna Hilliard, Doris Hope and Joanne Johnston.

Also serving on the anniversary committee were Marie-France Lefebvre, Christina Lucey, Lauren May, Chris Morgan, Mary Lynn Bergman-Rallis, Penny Reveley, Nancy Viands, Laurie Wilfert, Marilyn Witzel and Sue Lee.

Orange-Flavored Benefit for ATSC

With citrus shades being all the rage for spring and summer fashion--and a knockout style show by Nordstrom on tap--members of the the Sophisticates dreamed up a “L’Orangerie” theme for their annual benefit luncheon.

Net proceeds of about $150,000 from the event at the Hyatt Regency Irvine will help underwrite the counseling services for troubled youths provided by the Assessment and Treatment Services Center in Santa Ana.

Chaired by Dawn Brewster, the recent luncheon featured orange-flavored decor: ficus trees strung with fresh oranges and orange-festooned centerpieces. The menu even reflected the theme: baked orange roughy with macadamia nut crust and ginger orange sauce.

But there was another reason the citrus theme was chosen, committee member Lana Chandler confided. “L’Orangerie is a French term that describes a place where you bring orange trees in from the cold,” she said. “And that’s what ATSC does--brings children in, helps them, nurtures them.”

During the festivities, Kelly Roberts of Laguna Beach was presented with the Sophisticates’ Caring Heart Award for her philanthropy on behalf of children. “Here is a mother whose love goes beyond the boundary of her own child and reaches out to the children of ATSC,” said Penny Fox-Shah, president of the Sophisticates.

Fox-Shah also praised the crowd: “Last year, ATSC provided more than 3,800 sessions of counseling to troubled children and their families,” she said. “On your way home today, you can feel very good about yourself because you reached out to the children of ATSC.”

OCMA to Honor Joan Irvine Smith

Along with artist Peter Alexander, Orange County philanthropist and art patron Joan Irvine Smith will be honored at the Orange County Museum of Art’s annual Art of Dining gala May 7 at the Four Seasons in Newport Beach.

The festivities will include a museum reception and a western-themed feast at the hotel cooked up by chefs from Four Seasons resorts in Texas.

Elizabeth Tierney of Newport Beach is chairing the popular gala for about 400 guests. Tickets are $1,000 per person. For information: (949) 759-1122.

Ann Conway can be reached at (714) 966-5952 or by e-mail at ann.conway@latimes.com.