Bash benefits Children's Hospitals

T

here are events that are considered "cool," and then there are events that are considered "really cool."

The second annual The Bash, benefiting Children's Hospitals in Orange County, Los Angeles and San Francisco, recently took over the hipster Hollywood lounge known as Exlr.

The An Family Foundation, led by Chief Executive Elizabeth An, owner of AnQi at South Coast Plaza, created The Bash with her daughter Bosilika. Their goal was to raise money to help ill teenagers. The second annual Bash raised $176,000 in net proceeds, which will go to The Teen Impact and dialysis center of the various Children's Hospitals.

Now that's really cool.

The Orange County chapter of Childhelp broke all previous fundraising records at its 29th annual golf tournament, raising $305,000 net at the recent event held at Newport Beach Country Club.

The fundraising effort was impressive, topping last year's total raised by nearly $100,000. Co-chaired by Debra Violette and Susan Hill, the success of the tournament was due in large part to sponsorship from the most generous Jacquie and Michael Casey, the O'Connell Family Foundation and Regal Entertainment Group.

Local gentlemen pitched in big-time, attracting a large field of players including Mike FitzGerald, Jim Violette, George O'Connell, Don Boortz, Jim Edwards, Jeff Goffman, George Hedley and Eoin Kreditor. Also playing for Childhelp were Ron Lefton, Jim Madrid, Brady O'Connell, Frank Pappano, George Rebensdorf, Rich Saul and Justin Wheeler. The foursome with the lowest net score was the team of Todd Walklett, Alex Kukich, Jeff Crawford and Rocco Brescia.

May Rave II, also known as The Friends of Dorothy Guild Spring Fashion Dinner, raised nearly $50,000 in support of AIDS Services, Orange County.

The larger than life Barbara Venezia, in her trademark skintight pink leather pants, welcomed the crowd of some 500 local guests coming together at a warehouse, adjacent to John Wayne Airport, that was donated for the evening by underwriters Susie and Kevin Coleman.

The music rocked from DJ Golden Mike, as the crowd sampled a taste of Orange County fare from some of the community's favorite eateries, including Tommy's Burgers, Sundried Tomato, The Meat House and Nothing Bundt Cakes. Barefoot Wine & Bubbly provided the spirits.

Meanwhile, in the back of the warehouse a crew of gorgeous women and handsome men prepared for the evening's runway fashion show accented by plenty of hoots and hollering.