Hoag supporters show a lot of heart

For the 39th annual Christmas Carol Ball on behalf of Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, the theme was, “It takes a big heart.”

Apparently there was tremendous heart. Organizers raised a record-breaking $500,000 to benefit the Hoag Heart and Vascular Institute.

Thank you, Debbie Simon, glamorous ball chairwoman who rallied underwriters. Major support this year came from Ron and Sandi Simon, Jim and Patti Edwards, Mike and Tami Kahn and of course the belle of the ball, Simon and her debonair date, Jim Lake.

Long-time Hoag benefactor Patti Edwards commented, “This was the best holiday gift for Hoag.” Edwards co-chaired the ball with Simon. “Our volunteers and underwriters deserve a million thanks,” she said. Well, at least a half-million thanks.

The black tie evening unfolded at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Laguna Niguel and was hosted by the dedicated Hoag 552 Club. The Kahns, of Superior Automotive Group and new waterfront residents of Bayshores, donated a 2006 Nissan Altima for the grand-prize opportunity drawing. One lucky Eddie Prosser went home with two cars: his own and a new Nissan. A major silent and live auction contributed $95,000 to the half-million dollar total. Big-ticket auction items included a one-year lease on a 2006 325ci BMW convertible donated by Newport’s Sterling BMW. A first-class trip to Hawaii via Aloha Airlines was also a popular bid. There was even a five-night stay for 16 of your closet and dearest at the Tobacco Root Ranch in Sheridan, Mont. That’s called getting away from it all, and taking it all with you.

The popular Wayne Foster orchestra made the party swing. The Harbor Day School Handbellers provided some traditional holiday atmosphere. Dinner was served at 7 p.m. as guests table-hopped and shared greetings of the season. The crowd was a vision in red, as ladies were asked to dress in Santa’s favorite color. Nora and Jim Johnson were most festive, straight from the North Pole to be sure.

Helping to raise the major funds and celebrating the season were Ronnie and Byron Allumbaugh; Bob and Lori Cole; Maralou and Jerry Harrington; Sandra and Ron Livingston; Bruce and Marie Schwartz; Bill and Nancy Thompson; and Richard and Kim Nicholson. Also supporting Hoag were Steve and Toni Berlinger; Deborah and Henry Mayhew; Bob and Ginni Robbins; Ginger and Tony Allen; Lin and Al Auer; Nancy and Jim Baldwin; Mike and Ann Howard; and David and Marilyn Wooten.

* THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.

20051215gzf7uqke(LA)20051215irim1mkn(LA)Terry Callahan, left, Rosalie Puleo, Cheryl Fisher, Peggy Treglia and Lauren Stone, holding a King Charles Spaniel puppy, all dressed in red. 20051215irim0nkn(LA)Dr. Richard Afable and wife Sally kicked off the holiday with Roger Kirwan at the 39th annual Christmas Carol Ball, held at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel. 20051215irim21kn(LA)Nancy and Bill Thompson become proud owners of a King Charles spaniel puppy donated by Russo Pets. 20051215irim1bkn(LA)Dr. Alan Beyer and wife Lesley joined guests on Dec. 3 at the Christmas Carol Ball, held at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel. 20051215irim07kn(LA)Jim Lake, Debbie Simon and Patti and Jim Edwards greeted more than 450 guests at the 39th annual Christmas Carol Ball, which raised a record $500,000 for the Hoag Heart and Vascular Institute.