Making Needs of Children Primary

The event: The seventh annual Noche de Gala benefiting the Door of Faith

Foundation--which raises funds for orphanages in Baja California--and the Marconi Foundation for Kids, a supporter of nonprofit youth organizations in Orange County.

Held Saturday at the Marconi Automotive Museum in Tustin, a Night at the Macambo recognized actor Edward James Olmos (a 1987 Oscar nominee for “Stand and Deliver”) for his commitment to helping children, and Irvine businessman Stephen Paliska for his support of Door of Faith.

Samba, anyone? More than 350 guests sampled margaritas, hand-rolled cigars and Latin-inspired appetizers in a tent erected in the parking lot before enjoying a gourmet meal of beef filet and jumbo prawns in the museum. There, amid palm trees and candle-lit tables, guests enjoyed the sophisticated ambience of a ‘40s-era Hollywood nightclub.

Making a difference: Founded by Hilda Pacheco-Taylor, the nonprofit Door of Faith foundation helps provide food, transportation and school supplies to the orphanages.

Pacheco-Taylor, director of government-funded programs for the Southern California Training Council in Irvine, was once a resident of the Door of Faith orphanage near Ensenada. Eight years ago, she revisited the facility and was appalled by its state of disrepair.

Along with council co-workers Mickey Wiebe and Michael Beason, she helped establish the foundation to improve the living conditions at Door of Faith and other orphanages. “Now, it’s a dream come true to see the kids so well taken care of,” she said.

Quote: Olmos, who received the Corazon de Vida Award from friend

and actress Raquel Welch, said, “When it comes to health, love and education, [the foundation] is giving back in a very big way.”

Eye on the future: The foundation, which has raised more than $1 million, wants to end child homelessness in Baja by 2020. To accomplish this, the organization intends to connect 50 Southern California businesses with 50 orphanages, with each company contributing $35,000 annually. “A dollar goes a long way [in Baja],” Pacheco-Taylor said.

Guests: Master of Ceremonies Sid Garcia; Ruben Alvarez, executive director of the Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Bishop Jaime Soto; Irvine Mayor Christine Shea; Guillermo Gonzalez; Christopher Campano; Dick Marconi; Bo Moore; Brent Adams; Les Akers; Maribel Barco; Joyce Geiger; Janet Keefe; Marla Levine and Ruben Martinez.

Information: Call (949) 476-1144, Ext. 311. Web site: https://www.doff.org.