It was late actor and comic Danny Thomas' favorite cause.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, founded in 1962 by Thomas
and his supporters, received international attention via Thomas and
his efforts. The hospital has made a difference for more than 20,000
young cancer patients from all across the Untied States and around
the world. St. Jude offers medical treatment at no cost to families
with suffering children, and no means to pay.
Orange County Friends of St. Jude recently hosted an annual local
gathering, called Endless Summer -- New England Clambake, at the
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort in Newport Beach.
Chaired by Dana Agamalian, the party attracted hundreds of guests,
each of whom paid $150 and more for tickets to benefit St. Jude.
A sunset dinner on the beach kicked off the celebration that
included a major lineup of musical talent to entertain the crowd.
Hunter Harvey, the Surfaris, guitar talent Dick Dale and his prodigy
son Jimmy Dale were among the stars on hand.
TV star and St. Jude board member Jamie Farr, of "MASH" fame,
hosted the evening and was joined by Terre Thomas and a list of local
committee members that included Marco and Gale Baljeu, Allen and
Barbara James, Walt and Tina Arrington, Victor and Lia Assad, Michele
Roeder, Shelly O'Hill, and Jim and Julie Ann Ulcickas, to name only a
few.
The big drawing of the evening was for a chance to win a
fully-loaded 2005 Lincoln Navigator, provided by Alvarez Lincoln
Mercury Jaguar.
Only 1,500 chances were sold at $100 each, helping organizers to
raise more than $200,000 at the event for St. Jude.
Sponsors of the evening included Pete Coury, Ed Gaut, Allen and
Barbie James, Dana and John Agamalian, Denise Mainero and corporate
donors such as the NFL Alumni Assn. of Southern California, KFRG-FM
(95.1), the Marshall Foundation, Got It Productions, Cedars Bank,
Ingram Micro and AutoTrader.com.
Spotted in the Endless Summer crowd were Robert and Lisa Ahlke,
Ellen Amlie, Mike Driebe, Caroline Hopkins, Randy and Barbara
Howarth, Jennifer Koffler, Christy Butera, Steve and Kim Davis, Paul
and Tanya Habeeb, and Mary Lynn Sophiea.
For more information on the work of St. Jude and the Orange County
Friends, call Kathleen Polenzani at (800) 227-6737.
