November 19, 2007

Rays honored for their Spirit of Philanthropy

By DONNA BUNCE

t all started in third grade for Janet and Walkie Ray, at a school bus stop in Corona del Mar. That's when and where they met. Later they would marry and raise a family.

They also went on to start several community nonprofits. For that, they were presented the Spirit of Philanthropy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 22nd annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon held Nov. 13 at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel.

Among the 1,000 in attendance: Alice Klein, president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Orange County Chapter, event co-chairs Milly and Bill Heaton; mistress of ceremonies Maria Hall of KOCE/50, keynote speaker Dr. Michael Drake, chancellor of UC Irvine, and honorary co-chairs Pat and Bill Podlich, last year's Spirit of Philanthropy winners.
Terry Horne, president and publisher of The Orange County Register, the event's 15-year Presenting Sponsor, presented the Rays with their award. Birthday wishes were accorded Doug Freeman, who founded National Philanthropy Day in Orange County in 1985. Net proceeds reached $65,000.

"Oh, What a Night," one of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons' biggest hits, aptly described opening night of the Tony Award-winning "Jersey Boys" musical Nov. 13 at the Orange County Performing Artscenter.

After the show, about 150 guests gathered for the cast party in Founders Hall, dressed in '60s décor with jukeboxes playing The Four Seasons' hits. Devon May, who played Tommy DeVito, joked, "I left my Jersey accent at the door."

"Falsetto King" Frankie Valli was played by Zackary Prince, a graduate of Irvine's University High School and a regular OCPAC concert-goer growing up. "This is a total 360 for me," he said, smiling.

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The Junior League of Orange County's 32nd annual The Christmas Company Shopping Extravaganza, themed "The Spirit of Christmas," drew 600 guests to its opening night Friday at the Orange County Fair and Exposition Center in Costa Mesa. Guests were greeted by faux falling snow, decorated Christmas trees and wine and food stations donated by area food companies.

Opening night chairwoman Janine Wald filled me in on some changes in the annual event: "For the first time we offered shopping to the public all day today before the opening night party." She added that the event now is less formal, "so people could come from work and enjoy."

Benefit chairwoman Nedka Stills said, "We've added a fifth American Girl Fashion Show, debuted a Grab and Go breakfast for early bird shopping and a Fire Safety Education event for boys."

Stills, a Santa Ana Police dispatcher, admitted enjoying volunteering her time. "I have to have a little fun in my life," she said. "My work is so serious."

The four-day benefit, which showcased shopping at 100 unique retailers, was expected to attract as many as 20,000 attendees and net in the vicinity of $300,000 for JLOCC's charitable projects.