The Crowd:

They put their “hands together” to create a center for children in Orange County. Also known as Un Centro Para Niños, the Hands Together Center for early childhood education provides child care and education for preschool youngsters of the working poor, mostly Latino residents of Orange County.

Recently, supporters joined forces for a Sunday afternoon celebration at the Crevier Classic Car Museum, next to John Wayne Airport. Several hundred guests enjoyed luncheon amid a sea of metallic nostalgia as the super-dedicated folks behind Hands Together shared a bit of inspiration and hope.

“The whole idea behind this effort is to give kids a leg up so that when they start kindergarten they are not already behind and destined for failure,” said Fr. Brad Karelius, a Roman Catholic priest who is the school’s founding president.

Father Karelius joined Hands Together board President Robert Kuhel in welcoming the distinguished guests. These included Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido, Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez, and Assemblyman Jose Solorio.

Pulido shared his experience watching the children served by Hands Together learn and flourish.

He told the crowd that the services provided are “life changing and that teaching the children English along with numeric and reading skills mean that they have a real chance for success.”

Pulido first learned about the program as a result of his wife’s involvement, and he praised her for her dedication.

The guests from Newport-Mesa as well as greater O.C. included Dave and Kim Martel, Marcia Vaughan, Ellen Magasemi, Juanita Doby, Ria Carlson and executive director of the school Cyndee Albertson.

Sponsors of the Sunday brunch event included Crevier, Hyundai, Volvo, Ingram Micro, Cibola Systems and the Orange County High School of the Arts. Members of the school performed for the crowd, providing a jazz ensemble.

Also attending were Sister Eileen McNerney, Sister Michelle Tochtrop, Glenn Howard, Laura Long and special guest Isabelle Mata, a parent of two children who were enrolled at the preschool. Mata introduced her offspring to the crowd and shared their personal stories of success as the donors applauded.

The afternoon was designed to raise $20,000 for a summer literacy program and playground project.

Donations fell short of the goal and are needed.

To learn more, contact Cyndee Albertson at (714) 453-8743 or go to handstogether-SA@socal.rr.com.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.