H.E.L.P. held its 2014 annual Celebrate Summer fundraiser, themed Moonlight on the Serengeti, on a balmy June 6 evening at the Palos Verdes Golf Club. With a raffle prize of a 10-day luxury safari to Kenya and Tanzania, donated by Macato Safaris, and guests attired in everything from black tie to safari helmets, the lively crowd enjoyed a celebration of the work of H.E.L.P.
H.E.L.P. honorees DeDe Hicks, Suzy Seamans, and Ralph Scriba with Gala Chair Nancy Scott; H.E.L.P. Board Chair, Sharon Ryan and H.E.L.P. Executive Director Britt Huff
A surprise Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to longtime supporter and Diamond Sponsor, local philanthropist, Ralph Scriba. Other honorees were DeDe Hicks, President and CEO of the Torrance-based Volunteer Center; and the Honorable Susan Seamans, a former South Bay mayor and longtime public servant. Mayor Seamans, who was awarded the H.E.L.P. Inspiration award for her 32 years of public service, has served as President of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCG), and President of the Los Angeles Division of the League of California Cities. DeDe Hicks, who was awarded the H.E.L.P. Vanguard Award, has headed up the Volunteer Center for over 25 years.
The evening began with a reception and silent auction, followed by dinner, a live auction, award presentations, dancing and entertainment. In addition to the Ralph Scriba Family Fund, other major sponsors for the event were Toyota Motor Sales, L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe, Jacky Glass, and Brad and Jennifer Baker, of Baker, Burton, & Lundy law firm; our generous Pearl Sponsors are listed below. In her introduction of the evenings sponsors, H.E.L.P. Executive Director, Dr. Britt Huff said, H.E.L.P. is greatly indebted to our wonderful sponsors for their continued support of our mission and programs.
Steve Napolitano, Senior Deputy to L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe, again donated his services this year as the award auctioneer and award ceremony M.C. Thanks to his enthusiastic personality and the generosity of the attendees and sponsors, H.E.L.P.s fundraiser was another great success.
H.E.L.P. gala committee from left: Yim Hom, Sally Moton, Mardy Maehara, Britt Huff, H.E.L.P. Executive Director; Nancy Scott, Gala Chair; Hillary Watts, Linda Cochrane, and Sharon Ryan, H.E.L.P. Board Chair.
Sharon Ryan, H.E.L.P. Board Chair, emphasized the important role played by our volunteers, stating H.E.L.P. is so grateful to its many wonderful volunteers who worked hard to make the evening a great success. Gala committee members included Nancy Scott, gala chair; and Linda Cochrane, who co-chaired the auctions for the event with Nancy Scott. Sally Moton and Mardy Maehara chaired the Balloon Chances, and Shelley Johnston was Décor Chair. Other committee members were Joyce Kochanowski, Ardis Shubin, Evelyn Salinas, Yim Hom, Hillary Watts, Fran Walker, Carol Wilson, Linda Moriwaki, Cathy Luciano, and Mary Fernandez. The Torrance Womans Club (TWC) was also a great support for the event. Coordinated by Kathleen Davis, other TWC volunteers were Fran Day, Beth OGorman, Deanna Hanson, Jeannine Glomboski.
A special thank you goes to our generous sponsors of this event:
Diamond Sponsor
The Ralph Scriba Family Fund
Platinum Sponsor
Toyota Motor Sales, USA
Sapphire Sponsors
Board of Advisors member Sharon Guthrie, Major Sponsors Drs. Patricia & Tom Paulsen, Pam & Bob Schacter (seated). Standing next to Paulsen; Dr. Stephen Read, Major Sponsor; Patricia Harik and daughter.
Brad and Jennifer Baker, Baker, Burton and Lundy Law Firm
The Jacqueline Glass Family Fund
L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe
Ralph and Loraine Scriba
Pearl Sponsors
Jimi Andersen
Continental Development Corporation
Dr. & Mrs. Simon Lo
DCH Gardena Honda\DCH Torrance Toyota
Exxon Mobil Corporation
Juris & Laura Kauls
Kiwanis Club of Rolling Hills Estates
Mackenroth Land Company, Inc.
Magee & Adler, APC
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Drs. Tom & Tricia Paulsen
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center, Torrance
Sharon Ryan
Elaine Seegar
Sunrider International
Dr. Ellen Tarlow
The Canterbury/Episcopal Communities & Services
Torrance Memorial Medical Center
Anne & Jerry Wittels
Underwriters
Jim & Joanne Hunter
Evelyn Salinas, Simplicity Bank
Watson Land Company
Kay Yamada
Live Auction Donor
Lou Atha Marriott
Brad & Jennifer Baker
Terri Haack, Terranea Resort
Hugh Pendleton
Robert & Katherine Swank
Hillary & Bob Watts
(Scroll down for more photos from the gala.) Photos by Bruce Hazelton
Chuck and Marylyn Klaus enjoy a moonlight safari jeep ride.
Fred Bayer, Judy Bayer, H.E.L.P. Board of Directors member; Judy Mitchell, Mayor of Rolling Hills Estates; Lois Olsen, and Gail Warner
Major Sponsors, Paul & Carmen Makkarewicz, Providence Medical Center; Sean & Barbara Graham, Exxon-Mobil Corporation; and Jonathan & Sunny Beutler, Sunrider International.
H.E.L.P. Board member Bob Wade, representing Platinum Sponsor Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., and Carolin Keith Wade, formerly of Exxon-Mobil Corporation
Phyllis & Bill Glantz, an original H.E.L.P. Board member.
Former H.E.L.P. Board Chair, Rod Burkley and his wife, Lauren Phan, congratulate Ralph Scriba on his Lifetime Achievement Award
Nancy Scott, Gala Chair, with Britt Huff
Stella Horton and Carolyn Ayers, longtime H.E.L.P. supporters.
Jerry Wahlin & Sandra Allbee, with Linda Cochrane, Gala auction Co-Chair
Standing from left: Merle Countryman, Dr. Ken Huff, Dr. Britt Huff, Marion Ruth, and Kim Engen. Seated: Ian and Sherry Kramer, Major Sponsors from Continental Development Corporation; Steve Napolitano, M.C.; Ralph Scriba, Diamond Sponsor, and his daughter, Debbie Soldner
H.E.L.P. Honorees Susan Seamans, former Mayor of Rolling Hills Estates, and DeDe Hickes, President and CEO of The Volunteer Center
Britt Huff & Sharon Ryan enjoy a safari jeep ride with Anna Pinto, of Micato Safaris, who donated the luxury safari raffle item.
H.E.L.P. Vice Chair, Brad Baker, Esq. and Jennifer Baker
Britt Huff, Kim Engen, Major Donor Jacky Glass, and Jim Kinney.
Dan & Vicki Neesby with H.E.L.P. Board Treasurer, Laura Kauls and her husband, Juris.
Dr. Wade Nishimoto, Britt Huff, Marion Ruth, and Scott Donnelly, member of the H.E.L.P. Board of Directors.
Steve Napolitano, Senior Deputy to L.A. County Supervisor Don knabe, left, and Drl Britt Huff, H.E.L.P. Executive Director, present a Lifetime Achievement Award to Ralph Scriba.
Ron and Shelley Johnston, Gala committee Decor Chair.
