The Ronald McDonald House’s 12th annual A Few Good Men and Women Gala, which drew 600 guests to the Hyatt Regency Long Beach on Oct. 14, raised about $900,000 to support families with children receiving medical treatment nearby.
Community service took center stage as the evening honored 10 outstanding community leaders: Josephine Molina, Celeste Lyons Macer, Tim Richmond, Robin Perry, Susan Wise, Dr. Matthew Davis, Lindsay Mais, Cam Doherty Killingsworth, Rob Wigod and Nick Sramek.
Honorary Chairs Valerie, left, and Greg Owen address the crowd during the 12th annual A Few Good Men and Women Gala at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach on Oct. 14. (Courtesy photo)
From left, Jim and Kathy McDonnell, and Debbie and Dr. Grant Uba attend the 12th annual A Few Good Men and Women Gala at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach on Oct. 14. (Courtesy photo)
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Honorary Chairs Valerie, left, and Greg Owen address the crowd during the 12th annual A Few Good Men and Women Gala at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach on Oct. 14. (Courtesy photo)
Proceeds from the event will support lodging, meals, essential resources, and counseling and family support services at Ronald McDonald House Long Beach. These services remove barriers, strengthen families and help parents focus on what matters most — their child.
“Many of you believed in this House before the doors opened,” said Executive Director Nina Patel. “And because you continued to believe in it, thousands of families have had a place to call home when they needed it most. All of you here tonight (are) the reason this House continues to flourish.”
The honorees brought heart and personality to the evening through video tributes and their turns on the runway. Richmond’s appearance with his grandsons was a particularly meaningful family moment, capturing the personal connections behind the community celebration.
“As a former honoree, I know that this recognition is about more than one evening,” said Dr. Grant Uba, a member of the Board of Directors for Ronald McDonald House. “It brings together people whose leadership, generosity, and service continue to strengthen our community.”
Energy flashed through the crowd as the USC marching band brought the evening to a spirited close, filling the ballroom with music and giving guests an energetic finale to a memorable night.
Seen at the Scene: Honorary Chairs Valerie and Greg Owen, Suzanne Nosworthy, Jill Rosenberg, Bob Verde, Jim and Nancy Linden, Arlene and Rick Friedman, Karen Wideryniski, Rose Hamm, Dr. Cory Shetake, L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna, and Dr. Freddie Sotello.
Grape Expectations Gala
From left, LBUSD Superintendent David Zaid and Donica Zaid, and Nina Richardson and Mayor Rex Richardson at the Long Beach Public Library Foundation’s 23rd annual Grape Expectations Gala last month. (Courtesy photo)
There were more than 400 attendees at the Billie Jean King Main Library, in downtown, for the Long Beach Public Library Foundation’s 23rd annual Grape Expectations Gala.
The evening, on Sept. 27, raised more than $640,000 to support free library programs and resources.
Sharon Weissman, vice president of the Long Beach harbor commission, was honored with the Durnin Family Award. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library received the Library Leadership Award, celebrating the late philanthropist and music icon’s extraordinary legacy of putting free books into the hands of millions of children.
Long Beach Public Library Foundation Executive Director and CEO Veronica Garcia Dávalos kicked off the evening’s program, followed by remarks from foundation President John Mathews II and gala committee Chair Olga Chavez.
Attendees were entertained by the talented young performers from Le Petit Cirque and auctioneer Jeff Randall of Stokes Auction Group, who led a rousing and successful live auction, followed with a “fund-a-need.”
Co-Chairs Billie Jean King, L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, Visit Long Beach CEO Steve Goodling, Port of Long Beach CEO Noel Hacegaba, and Greg Zinberg, senior vice president at Clark Construction, were also honored.
Also acknowledged were the committee and the top sponsors who made the evening possible: presenting sponsor Marathon Petroleum Los Angeles Refinery; champagne sponsor Billie Jean King Foundation; Prosecco sponsors Margaret and Charles Durnin, and Hahn; and zinfandel sponsors American Airlines (official airline sponsor), Clark Construction and the Port of Long Beach.
Seen at the scene: Assemblymember John Lowenthal, Vice Mayor Roberto Uranga, Councilmembers Kristina Duggan and Megan Kerr, LBUSD Superintendent David Zaid, and Assistant Fire Chief Karen Rindone.
California Retired Teachers Association
From left, Barbara Powell; scholarship Chair Barbara Ellis; Veronica Castro, and Barbara Harris and Bob Hedges, the president and treasurer, respectively, of the California Retired Teachers Association’s Long Beach Division 3, during that organization’s quarterly luncheon last month.
(Courtesy photo)
The California Retired Teachers Association’s Long Beach Division 3 recently awarded $73,500 during its annual scholarships to students who are going into the field of education.
Each Year, scholarship Chair Barbara Ellis and the Scholarship Committee select the top students. The scholarship executive board — including President Barbara Harris, Treasurer Robert Hedges, and members Becky Carroll, Michael Monaghan and Barbara Powell — made the selection and monetary award for each student.
Each student was allowed to bring a guest who has made a significant impact in their lives. After the sumptuous luncheon, the award recipients introduced their guests.
College representatives in attendance included Rebecca Bustamante, the associate dean for Cal State Long Beach’s College of Education; Hayley Miller, director of development at CSULB’s College of Education; and Veronica Castro, director of student aid at Cerritos College. Castro received a standing ovation in recognition of her final year in that position and the outstanding effort that she put forward to help students matriculate from one level to the next.
Nine students from Long Beach City College and Cerritos College received scholarships ranging from $1,400 to $9,000 at the quarterly luncheon on Sept. 18.
Seen at the Scene: Frank and Jean Dayak, Janice Wilcox, Dale Fairbanks, Lester Sakurai, Marnos Lelesi and Jim and Joy Mullen.
Update
Last week, I wrote about the Friends of Pathways bringing in $700,000 to support the mission of Pathways to Independence — which provides disadvantaged single young women with education, therapy, mentoring, housing, healthcare and other essential help — during its annual fundraiser on Oct. 3. The total raised has now been revised to $800,000.
News of Social events with charitable purposes may be sent to Shirley Wild at spwild@verizon.net. Please include a contact phone number. Send high-resolution jpeg photos, by attachment, to spwild@verizon.net and include group name and identification of individuals from left. Call Shirley at 562-594-9468 for more information.