A Defensive Move for Scholarship

Former National Football League defensive end David “Deacon” Jones has a vision for potential young leaders who live in the inner city: Educate them and encourage them to return to their communities to inspire future generations.

“I’m from the inner city--the ghetto,” the 61-year-old Hall of Famer said during the inaugural Deacon Jones Foundation Scholarship Awards Gala at the Hyatt Regency Irvine. “And I was strong enough to kick the door down. Today, I want to help inner city kids create a path so they can help others. To do that, we have to train leaders who can help break the cycle of poverty.”

About 300 people attended Sunday’s foundation benefit, sponsored by Gateway and presented by Tiffany & Co. Proceeds of about $75,000 will be used for student scholarships.

The Deacon Jones Foundation and its corporate partners engage students in an educational assistance program from their sophomore year in high school through their senior year in college. The amount of that seven-year assistance varies with each student.

“When I first learned about the Deacon Jones Foundation and what he was trying to do, I was touched by the fact that someone would want to travel with a student for seven years,” said Jo Ellen Qualls, a vice president with Tiffany & Co. “Everyone who assists children has at their core a desire to help, but often for only a short period of time. Deacon Jones has a unique concept: You can really make an impact on children when you walk with them for seven years.”

Among guests were 16-year-olds Gregg Taylor and Nancy Sanchez, who received the first two foundation scholarships last year.

“For us to receive a scholarship and stay with the foundation, we have to stay committed to keeping our grades up and be drug-free,” said Taylor, who lives in Inglewood. “My scholarship is a blessing from God. Without it, I’d be trying hard, but I wouldn’t have the opportunities I have now.”

Sanchez, who also lives in Inglewood, said the foundation has inspired her to “strive to do well in school” and help lead her peers down the same path.

“The foundation is sure to have a ripple effect on kids in the inner city,” she said.

During festivities Sunday, Jones announced the first Orange County scholarship winners, both from Santa Ana high schools: Phi Luong of Valley High and Alexander Barrera of Saddleback High.

“We choose our winners using a fabulous shakeout process created by university professors,” Jones said. “Six years from now, our first students will come out of the program and I will be so proud.”

For information on the foundation: (714) 281-2842.

Golden Baton Winners

Joining the ranks of Orange County arts patrons such as Henry Segerstrom and Donald Bren, Don and Eugenia Thompson of Laguna Beach were presented with the prestigious Golden Baton Award by the Philharmonic Society of Orange County.

“They are arts patrons and true philanthropists,” Philharmonic Society chairman Jim Alexiou told guests at the Golden Baton Patron Appreciation Dinner held Sunday at the Center Club in Costa Mesa. “When they believe in a cause, they support it heart and soul with time, enthusiasm and generosity.”

Don Thompson, a society board member, was surprised at being recognized for his arts support. “This was unexpected,” he said. “There are so many others who deserve it.”

Dean Corey, executive director of the Philharmonic Society, described the Thompsons as “people who are very dedicated to music and who care about the level and quality of performances.”

The Thompsons are members of the Esterhazy support group, which consists of patrons who have donated a minimum of $50,000 to the society. “We instituted the Esterhazy program five years ago to help us plan future concerts,” Corey said.

Next week, Corey will travel to Germany to negotiate an Orange County appearance by the Berlin Philharmonic. “They’ve never been to Orange County,” Corey said. “And they are the last major orchestra that we have not yet brought here.”

Guests also included dinner chairman John Benecke, Kaly Corey, Whitney and Jerry Mandel, Elaine Redfield, Tricia and Gary Babick, Elaine Alexiou, Michelle Rohe, Peg Reday and Aletha and Warren Weidemann.

Giving Shelter

Community leaders who help create shelters for the temporarily homeless were honored Saturday at the Rainbow of Hope Ball sponsored by HomeAid Orange County.

Receiving awards at the event held at the Four Seasons in Newport Beach were: Don Jacobs (Volunteer of the Year), the Orange County Edition of the Los Angeles Times (Corporate Partner of the Year), Paragon Insulation and Peterson Brothers Construction (co-winners of Sub-contractor of the Year), General Electric (Supplier of the Year), H. Lawrence Webb (Builder of the Year) and Lawrence Haynes, executive director of Mercy House Transitional Living Centers (Care Provider of the Year).

About $165,000 from the gala will go toward HomeAid Orange County’s programs that aim to build or renovate shelters for the 18,000 people who make up Orange County’s homeless population. (949) 553-9510.

Ann Conway can be reached at (714) 966-5952 or by e-mail at ann.Conway@latimes.com.