Big Brothers Are Watching Them

Three young men--each poised beyond his years--shared their ambitions at the first tribute dinner sponsored by Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles Community Advisory Board at the Regal Biltmore Hotel.

The three are among the many boys and girls who have been paired with a Big Brother or Big Sister through the mentoring program.

“I want to be a police officer, a New York Jet player and a professional line skater,” said 13-year-old Anthony Davis, who has participated in the organization’s school-based Mentoring and Business Buddies programs for seven years.

Kevin Campos, 10, said he wants to be a cartoon animator. His Big Brother, Stan Brothers, a copy writer, feels Kevin has a lot of potential. “We’re going to work on that,” said Brothers, who was matched with Kevin only five months ago. “The first time I met Kevin, we went bowling and had burgers,” he recalled. “At the end of the day, he told me it had been one of the best in his life. I’ll never forget that.”

And Edwin Hodge, a 16-year-old actor on Fox’s “Boston Public,” said he has already promised his Big Brother, Jay Fondevila, a Santa Monica architect, that he will volunteer as a Big Brother himself someday.

For their significant contributions to the advisory board, which provides resources for outreach, recruitment and service, the event Thursday honored the Lakers’ Derek Fisher; Carolina Duarte, executive director of Big Sisters of L.A.; Allstate Insurance executive Kevin Dyer; and Bishop Charles E. Blake, pastor of the West Angeles Church of God in Christ. Keith Padgett, president of Big Brothers of L.A., says 500 little brothers, ages 7 to 14, are waiting. If you’d like to find out how to become a Big Brother, call (800) 207-7567.

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A long cardinal-red carpet led more than 900 guests to the 12th annual Cardinal’s Awards Dinner at Merv Griffin’s Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday. Griffin usually emcees this black-tie event but couldn’t make it this year. Cardinal Roger Mahony did the honors and announced that Griffin is being recognized as a major donor on the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels project.

Proceeds from the awards evening are not earmarked for the new cathedral, however. They will aid St. Odilia’s Catholic School, located in a problem-plagued section of South-Central Los Angeles. The school, which has produced some distinguished alumnae over the years, including the late Judge Maxine Thomas and U.S. Ambassador Diane Watson, will expand its curriculum to accommodate a seventh and eighth grade following the closure of nearby Holy Cross Middle School.

The awards, established by Mahony in 1989, traditionally honor individuals in the Greater Los Angeles Archdiocese who have given of their time, talent and treasure to improve the community. Kathy Aikenhead and Christopher Alders co-chaired this year’s event, which honored actor Joseph Campanella, a veteran spokesman for archdiocesan activities; Iva May Carrico, who, at 83, is active in 19 charitable organizations; Brother Patrick Corr, who was instrumental in the development and growth of St. John of God Retirement and Care Center in Los Angeles; and San Marino philanthropist Margaret Jagels. An added fillip was a standing ovation for Sister Mary Jean Meier, who has coordinated the awards event since its inception.

Coming Up:

* The Heart of a Child Foundation, which aids research, treatment and cure of congenital heart disease, will honor actor Robby Benson and UCLA cardiologist Dr. Hillel Laks at its annual awards dinner tonight at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Tickets are $350 per person. For information, call (310) 553-9007.

* The Amie Karen Cancer Fund for Children celebrates its 30th year of support for the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Department at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center with “Paris Nights, Club Oh One!” a soiree honoring Richard Rosenweig and Judy Henning on Thursday, at Barfly on the Sunset Strip. Tickets are $101 per person. For information, call (323) 655-5977.

* The Paralysis Project presents its 10th annual Great Sports Legends Awards Dinner on Saturday at the Century Plaza Hotel. On the dais will be baseball’s Yogi Berra, Super Bowl star Ken Stabler, Indy 500 winner Danny Sullivan, golf champ Billy Casper and Hall of Fame jockey Julie Krone. KCBS sportscaster Jim Hill will be the organization’s first honoree in a newly created media category. Founded in 1987, the project is dedicated to funding research to find a cure for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury. Tickets to the event are $250 per person. For information, call (310) 648-6767.

* For their commitment to fighting substance abuse and for the positive impact of their work, “The West Wing’s” Martin Sheen, John Spencer and Aaron Sorkin will be honored on Monday at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel by Phoenix House, the national drug abuse treatment, education and prevention agency. Tickets are $350 per person. For information, call (310) 201-5033.

* The Professional Dancers Society will feature a special tribute to dancer Eleanor Powell when it honors Carol Burnett at its 15th annual Gypsy Awards luncheon on Sunday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Tickets are $125 per person. For information, call (310) 285-1411.

* The second annual Acts of Love awards reception to benefit the National Network to End Domestic Violence Fund takes place on Monday at the Skirball Cultural Center. Tickets are $150 per person. For information, call (310) 652-1992

* Marilyn Zumberge, widow of former USC President James Zumberge, will be the guest of honor at “A Gift of Love,” the annual Valentine’s Day black-tie dinner dance sponsored by the USC/Norris Cancer Hospital Auxiliary on Feb. 14 at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel. Tickets are $150 per person. For information, call (626) 282-9771.

* Correction: An incorrect date was given last week for “Giving New Hope,” a benefit for the Children’s Burn Foundation at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The event will be Feb. 15. For further information, call (818) 907-2822.