The Crowd: Ardent SPIN supporters gather

Ask yourself what you would do if your job were eliminated? Do you have sufficient savings to bridge a potential gap in income? What if you suffered a health emergency and survived, only to be placed in serious debt?

Such questions were on the minds of seriously dedicated citizens who came together Nov. 5 to support the annual dinner-fundraiser benefiting Serving People in Need (SPIN), one of Orange County's most respected agencies assisting the homeless population in one of America's most prosperous communities.

Some 250 guests, attired in tasteful black and white cocktail attire, came together at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort, Huntington Beach to remind one another of the serious purpose of the evening. It was an event created around a theme of community awareness, where good friends intent on an ongoing commitment to doing good deeds for those less fortunate raised money to keep a roof overhead and food on the table.

An impressive $161,607 net was raised, with 87% of SPIN's charitable contributions going directly to help those who need it most.

The core of SPIN's support comes from folks who seek no publicity, who do not attend gala dinners to display their elegant attire or to climb the social ladder. Their motivation is based on an ethical call to action. One donor in the crowd raised his hand and pledged a thousand-dollar gift, saying, "It's the right thing to do."

Mary Lou Shattuck, SPIN board chairwoman, super-dedicated along with her husband, Wayne Shattuck, stood and responded, "Yes, it is the right thing to do."

The crowd applauded.

Notable guests supporting the cause included Frank and Peggy Listi, Dick and Kim Crawford, Al De Grassi, Max and Arlen Gardner, Mario and Grace Greiderer, and Dick and Karen Nichol. Also front and center for SPIN were Tom and Lara Giddings, Baraa Sarakby, Tom and Lori Cavallo, Joyce Takeda and Mark Wakefield, Maureen Flanagan, Sean Pate, Scott Lieberman, Charlie Granville and Lynn Freer.

The 22nd annual SPIN dinner was created under the banner of "Bella Notte." An evening of gourmet food and wine was made possible by the culinary collaboration of Hilton Executive Chef Jeff Littlefield and celebrity guest Chef Alessandro Pirozzi of the famed Cucina Alessá restaurants.