Arguably one of the most important community foundations in the Newport-Mesa
region is the Hoag Hospital Foundation.
At its 49th annual Christmas Carol Ball, which closed out 2015 in style
on Dec. 12 at the St. Regis Resort and Spa Monarch Beach, all fundraising
records were exceeded as more than 650 guests came together to support
health for all residents in coastal Orange County.
The glamorous evening was chaired by
Azam and
Fariborz Maseeh with major support coming from Corona del Mar's
Jeff and
Debbie Margolis,
Scott Pollard,
Kyle Wescoat,
Ron and
Sandi Simon,
Tom and
Margaret Larkin, and
Jerry and
Maralou Harrington, to name only a few of the underwriters making the evening possible. By
the end of the night, an impressive $1.5 million was added to the Hoag
Promise fundraising campaign.
The black-tie crowd arrived at sunset and descended the graceful curved
staircase to the lower level at the St. Regis for a cocktail and hors
d'oeuvres reception. A massive silent auction, set up in an adjacent
area, offered merchandise provided by over 100 local merchants, including
the Antonello Restaurante Group, Fletcher Jones Motorcars, Blue Water
Grill, Santa Monica Seafood, Sterling BMW, The Resort at Pelican Hill,
and the Balboa Bay Resort.
The large assemblage, which included many of the region's respected
physicians, nurses and medical staff members, exchanged holiday greetings
while checking out the auction items. Spotted in the cocktail crowd were
Richard and
Jane Taylor,
James Ting,
Alex and
Isabelle Tischler,
Whitney Fountas,
Dibti Itchhaporia,
Robert and
Georgia Roth,
Andrew and
Joan Fimiano and
James Caillouette.
The evening took on a whimsical Cirque theme as acrobats and aerialists
punctuated the party with amazing stunts while hanging from the rafters.
Female bartenders even poured Champagne while dangling from the ceiling.
The avant-garde was blended with the traditional as Dicken's Carolers
performed holiday music. Across the foyer, violinists set the tone for
an evening of Christmas magic.
As the ballroom doors opened, the crowd was seated at tables dressed in
winter wonderland white accented with gold. Newport Beach hostess
Nora Jorgenson Johnson was introduced to lead the guests in the evening blessing, a role she
has performed for decades in association with the Hoag Hospital Foundation.
The evening's chairs welcomed everyone, offering generous thanks for
the financial support provided. Hoag VIPs in attendance included foundation
President
Flynn Andrizzi and the CEO of Hoag Hospital,
Robert Brathwaite.
Dinner began with a crème of butternut squash soup followed by a
salad of baby gem lettuce dressed in harissa Caesar dressing. The entrée
was grilled beef filet paired with marinated jumbo prawns.
A live auction and fund-a-need rally raised major funds for the Hoag Hospital
Foundation, while Cirque performers continued to entertain the crowd throughout
the evening in between a bit of swaying on the St. Regis dance floor.
Hoag dignitaries supporting the evening included
John and
Frances Applegate,
Otis and
Joann Healy,
Michael and
Patricia Berchtold,
Thomas and
Karen Linden,
Robert and
Terry Callahan,
William and
Marilyn Robbins,
Gina and
Jeffrey Cereda,
George and
Gigi Spragins,
Ygal and
Shelia Sonenshine,
Larry and
Deborah Bridges, and
Paul and
Elizabeth Merage.
Also in the crowd were
James and
Barbara Glabman,
Julianne and
George Argyros,
James and
Leslie Sullivan,
Michael and
Diane Stephens,
Randall and
Suki McCardle,
James and
Viki Coufos,
Andrew and
Karen Littlefair,
Aidan and
Ann Raney,
Richard and
Sally Afable, Congressman
Dana Rohrabacher and his wife,
Rhonda, and former Newport Mayor
Ed Selich and his wife,
Lynn.
Since 1966, the annual Christmas Carol Ball, one of the longest-running
holiday celebrations on the Orange Coast, has been hosted by Hoag Hospital
Foundation's 552 Club, bringing together medical professionals and
distinguished local guests raising vital funds for staff and patient support
services as well as research and health education.
Under the direction of a volunteer board of directors, the Hoag Hospital
Foundation conducts programs that generate more than $50 million per year
in gifts and pledges. As the new year dawns, the foundation is deep in
the planning phase of a major campaign with a goal of raising $500 million
by the year 2020.
To learn more about the Hoag Hospital Foundation, visit
www.hoaghospitalfoundation.org.
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here.