Laura’s House Annual Gala “Step into the Roaring 20s” Raises $250,000
Posted on September 18, 2013
Nearly 250 guests gathered at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa on Saturday, September 14 to build awareness and raise funds to support programs and services that the organization provides to individuals and families impacted by domestic violence
Ladera Ranch, Calif., Sept. 18, 2013 – On Saturday, September 14, nearly 250 supporters converged on the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa for the Laura’s House annual gala, “Step into the Roaring 20s.” Dressed in attire inspired by “The Great Gatsby”, including bright and shimmery flapper dresses and headdresses, and more casual suiting for the men, as was common during the “Jazz Age,” guests raised more than $250,000 over the course of the evening to help fund the vital programs and services that the organization provides to individuals and families impacted by domestic violence.
“We were very pleased to welcome so many of our supporters during the 19th Annual Laura’s House Gala,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director, Laura’s House. “This is an exciting time for Laura’s House and we are very proud of all that we have accomplished and grateful for the ongoing support we receive through special events such as our annual gala, which helps us tremendously in our efforts to respond to the need within the community for domestic violence programs and services.”
Presented by Western National Group, the event’s Title Sponsor, “Step into the Roaring 20s” began at 6:00 p.m. with a cocktail reception that included a selection of passed cold canapés and hot hors d’oeuvres including Seared Ahi on Wonton with Wasabi Cream Cheese, Brie Cheese and Red Grape Crostini, Miniature Beef Wellington and Filet Mignonette Point Reyes. Guests were also invited to enjoy signature cocktails from the martini luge including a traditional Cosmopolitan, Grapefruit Martini and “Dirty with Olives,” and a selection of red and white wines, cocktails and soft drinks.
During the cocktail reception guests perused a silent auction featuring more than 200 items including exciting travel and entertainment experiences, culinary adventures, and a “Wall of Wine” offering a seemingly endless selection of top-rated wines and tasting experiences from around the world. Volunteers from the National Charity League circulated during the silent auction, selling tickets for the opportunity drawing for a Tiffany & Co. Jazz Pendant.
Following the silent auction, guests were invited into the Grand Pacific Ballroom for the dinner and program, featuring Vikki Vargas, Orange County Bureau Chief for NBC4 as Master of Ceremonies. As guests enjoyed freshly baked artisan rolls with imported European style butter and Fresh Bibb Salads made with fresh Bibb lettuce, oven-dried tomato, aged Romano cheese, maple pepper bacon and chunky cucumber ranch dressing. Vargas introduced Margaret Bayston and Wayne Pinnell, Chair of Laura’s House Board of Directors and Gala Chair for “Step into the Roaring 20s,” who thanked event sponsors which included Verizon Wireless at the Platinum Level; The Jacqueline Glass Family and Wells Fargo at the Gold Level; Aitken, Aitken and Cohn, Haskell & White LLP, The Joe MacPherson Foundation, Michelman & Robinson LLP and The Thompson Foundation at the Silver Level; and table sponsors Agility, Applied Medical, Alliance Resource Group, Frome Foundation, Gerson Bakar & Associates, Knockout Productions and Rutan & Tucker LLP.
Dinner included Braised Beef Short Ribs with Red Wine Jus, served with Creamy Soft Potato, Carrots, Roasted Pepper and Asparagus. Following dinner, Margaret Bayston joined Wayne Pinnell on stage to present this year’s Crystal Heart Award to Wells Fargo for its commitment to corporate philanthropy, and contributions to Laura’s House. Dan Weeks, Vice President, Community Banking District Manager, accepted the award on behalf of Wells Fargo. “We are proud to have honored Wells Fargo for their exemplary roles as a long-time corporate partner of Laura’s House, and we are grateful to have them in our corner as we work together to end the silence of domestic violence,” continued Bayston.
Laura’s House then welcomed one of our survivors to the stage, a successful fashion model and now talented author and speaker, who shared her testimony of how Laura’s House helped her after her husband abused her and her children. The survivor testimony was then followed with the debut of Laura’s House new “infographical” video, illustrating the impact the organization has had on the community since it was founded in 1994. As the video was presented, guests enjoyed dessert, which included Fresh Seasonal Berry Tart with Shortbread Crust and Fresh Vanilla Custard, alternating with Chocolate Crunch Cake featuring dark chocolate mousse, crunchy Rice Krispies and hazelnut feuilletine. Following dessert, Vikki Vargas returned to the stage to introduce auctioneer Joe Matthews who facilitated the “Rebuild a Life” auction to raise much needed funds to support the Laura’s House Emergency Shelter
The dinner and program concluded with the live auction featuring 12 tickets, and two parking passes for a luxury suite at the Los Angeles Clippers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves basketball game at Staples Center on November 11, 2013, donated by Bryan Cave LLP; a Lemon Quartz Cabochon pendant from the “9 to 5 Collection” with Tsavonte Necklace with garnets on a multiple strand silver chain, donated by Mark Patterson – Corona del Mar; a couples golf and spa retreat donated by The Resort at Pelican Hill, and including one round of golf for four players on one of two Tom Fazio designed championship courses, four 50-minute Amber Gold Signature Massages at The Spa at Pelican Hill and dinner for eight at the Coliseum Pool & Grill; “The Great Gatsby” cocktail party for 12 guests, including one server and featuring 10 bottles of premium wine from the Cellar of Bette & Wylie Aitken, floral arrangements by Studio Mix, Port and Brandy and a box of La Aroma de Cuba, Mi Amours Cigars; a men’s Corum Admiral’s Cup Chronograph 50mm Swiss Timepiece with 50mm vulcanized rubber case, black lacquered dial, automatic winding with chronograph function, black rubber strap with titanium tongue buckle, and water resistant to 30 ATM, donated by Corum; box seating and a $500 food allowance for 10 guests at Honda Center for the Bon Jovi Concert on October 10, 2013, donated by Mike Hayde and Western National Group; an 18-person Staples Suite with “Clipper Spirit” package including a team-autographed basketball for any game at Staples Center during the 2013-2014 season, donated by AEG/Staples Center; and, a Maui Adventure featuring round-trip airfare for two on Alaska Airlines, a two-night stay at the elegant The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, a two-night stay at the stunning Hotel Wailea Maui, a sunrise special bike ride for two down the Haleakala Volcano, two premium seats for a performance of Ulalena in Lahaina, Maui, two day train passes for the Sugar Cane Train, and two passes for a guided tour of the U.S.S. Missouri Battleship, donated by Alaska Airlines, The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, Hotel Wailea Maui, Haleakala Bike Company, Ulalena, Railroads of Hawaii, and the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc.
After dinner, guests were invited to enjoy dancing and lively, musical entertainment from the Sensation Showband.
Chair for “Step into the Roaring 20s” was Wayne Pinnell, who also chairs the Laura’s House Board of Directors, and is Managing Partner for the accounting firm, Haskell & White, LLP. Event committee members were Laura’s House board members Sandy Jacobson, Linda Grace Kearns, Linda Lewis, Kurt Ross and Casey Wolin, and community volunteers Ingrid Bobbitt and Donna Cippolla.
About Laura’s House
For nearly two decades, Laura’s House has provided residential shelter and support services to more than 3,500 families, and counseling, life skills education and legal assistance to over 40,000 individuals. The mission of Laura’s House is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.
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