H.E.L.P. hosted its 2013 annual Celebrate Summer dinner-dance fundraiser on June 28 at the Palos Verdes Golf Club. The event, themed The Grand Masquerade, was co-chaired by H.E.L.P. Board Vice Chair Sharon Ryan and Advisory Board member Nancy Scott. They handed out colorful Mardi Gras beads at the door as H.E.L.P. Executive Director, Dr. Britt Huff, welcomed guests. The evening Grand Sponsor was the Ralph Scriba Family Fund. Platinum Sponsor was Toyota Motor Sales, USA, represented at the event by Vice President Michael Rouse and his wife, Nancy. The M.C. and auctioneer was the Honorable Steve Napolitano, former mayor of Manhattan Beach and Senior Deputy to L.A. County Supervisor, Don Knabe. The evening was a huge success, and included a drawing for a trip to New Orleans, as well as live and silent auctions.
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H.E.L.P. Executive Director, Dr. Britt Huff, with major sponsors Ralph Scriba and Michael Rouse, of Toyota Motor Sales, USA
H.E.L.P. honored three worthy individuals for their community service at the event. Jean Adelsman received the H.E.L.P. Inspiration Award. She is a former editor of the Daily Breeze, Board Chair of the Volunteer Center, Board member of the Torrance Cultural Arts Center, and long-time supporter and former Board member of H.E.L.P. Sibylle Grebe, managing partner of the Torrance-based law firm of Conover and Grebe, is a former Chair of the H.E.L.P. Board of directors, and is a member and past president of the California Council of Elder Law Attorneys. She received the Legacy Award. Mary Jane Schoenheider received the H.E.L.P. Vanguard Award. She is the publisher of the Peninsula People Magazine, and has been involved in many South Bay nonprofits, including the Palos Verdes Art Center and the PV Concours dElegance.
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Sapphire Sponsors, Jennifer and Brad Baker (left), also a H.E.L.P. Board member, congratulate honoree Sibylle Grebe, Esq. with Kimberli Taylor.
Longtime Board member and H.E.L.P. supporter, Jimi Andersen, was also recognized for her years of service to H.E.L.P. as her term ended. H.E.L.P. charter members Bill and Phyllis Glantz were also applauded for their instrumental role in the formation of H.E.L.P.
H.E.L.P. very much appreciates the services of our wonderful volunteer gala committee members, who made our gala fundraiser possible. Assisting gala chairs Sharon Ryan and Nancy Scott, were Linda Cochrane, Sally Moton, Mardy Maehara, Yim Hom, Shelley Johnston, Evelyn Salinas, Laura Kauls, Joyce Kochanowski, Linda Moriwaki, Ardis Shubin, Britt Huff, Matt Stillinger, Kimberli Taylor, Fran Walker, Kay Yamada, Pam Barrett, and the gracious members of the Torrance Womans Club.
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H.E.L.P. Gala committee from left: Sally Moton, Britt Huff, Sharon Ryan, Joyce Kochanowski, Nancy Scott, Yim Hom, Linda Cochrane, and Mardy Maehara. Not pictured are Shelley Johnston, Evelyn Salinas, Ardis Shubin, Kimberli Taylor, Kay Yamada, and Pam Barrett
Almost 250 guests got into the spirit of the evening by wearing sequined masks, festive attire, and colorful Mardi Gras beads. H.E.L.P. Board Chair, Lynne Neuman, opened the program by thanking all of H.E.L.P.s sponsors. All of us at H.E.L.P. are so grateful to all of our donors and sponsors for your continued support of our mission.
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A special thank you goes to our wonderful sponsors of this event:
Grand Sponsor
Ralph Scriba Family
Platinum Sponsor
Toyota Motor Sales
Emerald Sponsor
Ralph and Lorraine Scriba
Sapphire Sponsors
Brad & Jennifer Baker
LA County Supervisor Don Knabe
Frank & Marilyn Schaffer
Jacky Glass Family
Pearl Sponsors
Kate Crane, Esq.
Torrance Memorial Medical Center
The Canterbury/Episcopal Community & Services
The Kiwanis Club of Rolling Hills Estates
Stephen L. Read, M.D.
Scott McGee
Jimi Anderson
Mackenroth Corp./Jimi Anderson
Duane Conover
Rod Burkley
Providence Little Company of Mary
Elaine Seegar
Underwriting
Anne & Jerry Wittels
DCH Toyota for Torrance/DCH Gardena Honda
Ralph Saunton
Joanne & Jim Hunter
Ellen Tarlow
Watson Land Co
Peter Pettler
Donations
Joyce Kochanowski
Akrevoe K. Emmanouilides
Ricard J. Miyamoto, O.D.
Sandra S. Kass
David Leach/Patty Brooks Leach
Table Sponsors
Kay Yamada/Siby Grebe
Kay Yamada
Rod Burkley/Michael Barth
Brad Baker
Jean Adelsman
Underwriting In Kind
Sharon Ryan – New Orleans travel/ raffle
Kay Yamada Dinner wine
Lynne Neuman- champagne reception
Evelyn Salinas/Simplicity Bank – music/D.J.
Scott Magee reception wine
Floral and Centerpiece Donors
Barbara Watt – Black Tie Valet-Beverly Hills
Shawn Najad Rancho Palos Verdes Flowers
Shelly Johnston
Nancy Scott

Platinum Sponsor Michael Rouse of Toyota Motor Sales USA (left) with his wife, Nancy, Carolin Keith-Wade, Bob Wade, and Sandy Vanden Berge, representing Pearl Sponsor, Torrance Memorial Medical Center

Honoree Mary Jane Schoenheider, Peninsula People publisher, receives the Vanguard Award from the Hon. Steve Napolitano, Senior Deputy to L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe, and Dr. Britt Huff, H.E.L.P. Executive Director
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Honorable Steve Napolitano and Honorable Suzy Seaman, City Councilwoman and former Mayor of Rolling Hills Estates with husband, Dick Seaman
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Lauren Phan, former H.E.L.P. Board Chair, Rod Burkley, Honorable George Bird, P.V.E. Councilman and former Mayor, with wife Karen Bird

Gala Decor Chair, Shelly Johnston thanks Mary Harris and her husband Doug Kendle for their donation.
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H.E.L.P. Board member Scott Magee with wife Barbara and son, Ryan who volunteered with other students from Los Hermanos
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Merle Countryman, Board chair of the Thelma McMillen Foundation with his wife Kathy, buy raffle tickets from Pam Barrett
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Albro Lundy III, right and son, Albro Lundy IV, left, with Michelle Marr, center, had the winning bid on the live auction San Francisco InterContinental Hotel package donated by Richard and Melanie Lundquist of Continental Development Corp.
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H.E.L.P. Board member Laura Kauls, Cynthia Rustanius, Mel Frumes, and former Board member Bob Abelson, with wife Rosalie
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Jennifer Baker, Kirk Retz and photographer, Betty Waung closed out the evening with mystery Mardi Gras guest ballet dancer in pink tutu
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Torrance Womans Club members volunteered for the auction closing. Pictured from left: Beth O’Gorman, Kathleen Davis, Jeannine Glomboski, with Britt Huff, Deanne Hansen, & Barbara Freeman