B.W. COOK -- The Crowd

It’s more of a modern-day pilgrimage than a society luncheon.

The annual Childhelp USA holiday event at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine

attracted more than 700 guests, who experienced “Christmas Though the

Eyes of a Child.”

Chaired by Julie Whittington, the ever-popular event this week began

with a little Christmas shopping, as guests browsed through an enormous

makeshift shopping ring set up by vendors in, around and outside the

enormous ballroom.

A portion of the shopping proceeds combined with the event ticket

sales adds up to significant financial assistance for Childhelp USA

Village in Beaumont.

In the crowd was Jack Belcher, director of the village.

“The energy and the devotion of the Orange County supporters of

Childhelp USA is remarkable,” said Belcher, who assumed his post some 14

months ago after being transferred from his East Coast roots.

“The people here today make a very tangible difference for the

children. Nearly $1 million each year is raised through events such as

this, and I can assure you that these funds make the difference in the

lives of the children.

“Without this support, we would have no enrichment programs at the

village. There would be no spiritual program. The government dollars are

not enough to fund the extras.”

Belcher said each child at the village receives eight presents.

“There were those who worried that it was too much, that the children

were being spoiled,” he said.

But that hasn’t been the case, Belcher said.

“Our mission, in part, is to instill in the children a sense that life

has value, that people have value, that their lives are valuable and

unique,” he said. “We give them the gifts to let them know just how much

they are loved and valued as human beings. And we hope that they, in some

small way, realize the value-added dimension that the gifts bring to each

of them.”

Another major Childhelp USA supporter who echoed Belcher’s sentiments

was John Collins, director of community programs for Childhelp, which

operates local group homes in Costa Mesa.

“It is often difficult under certain circumstances to provide a loving

home for children who have come to us from tragic beginnings,” said

Collins, who is a member of the Fountain Valley City Council.

“It takes a great deal of dedicated involvement from many sectors to

create a family atmosphere in a group home, where positive change can be

accomplished.”

He said in most cases the group homes are succeeding.

“Coming to this line of work is more of a calling than anything else,”

Collins said. “I’ve been a community service volunteer and social worker

my whole life. It’s about loving God and loving thy neighbor and doing

something about it.”

The Childhelp gathering is not particularly glamorous or elegant. It

is just warm and united by purpose; united for a cause that springs from

deep religious beliefs about caring for children who have not experienced

ideal homes with loving parents.

“We make a difference every day,” Belcher said. “I am very proud to

work at Childhelp. It is a program that works.”

Childhelp chapter President Carol Packard, smashing in a red holiday

suit, worked the massive room to ensure the event’s success.

Whittington’s committee chose a “silver and white snowflake” theme for

the decor, transforming the California locale into a bit of a winter

wonderland.

Handmade Santas adorned each table and were later sold to the highest

bidder. Fabulous themed gift baskets, made up by Childhelp members, once

again were a major attraction, helping to raise funds for the village.

Some of the dedicated volunteers include Pam Butler, Susan Whitlock,

Eileen Saul, Katherine Meredith, Nancy Whitlock, Dale San Filippo, Katie

Clark, Gemma Wolf, Cathi Unvert, Nancy Kendall, Debra Violette, Nancy

Cardin, Tami Smith, Sharon Van Sickle, Lean Carroll, Cathi Caporaso, Cleo

Buth, Sandy Doniguian, Sandra McConnell, Jane Shuler and Cathy Brouthers.

Spotted in the crowd were Lido Isle’s Cathy Heck, Patti Edwards, Nancy

Richley, Donna Shockley, Debbie Benedict, Sara Hinman, Barbara Ropollo,

Sue Hook, Mary Allyn Dexter, Diana Miner, Corky Winters and Anne

Wortmann.

* THE CROWD is published Thursdays and Saturdays.