Flaunting fashion for youth counseling

The men of the O.C. joined the ladies of O.C., as they walked the walk and talked the talk on behalf of the Sophisticates of the Assessment Treatment Services Center. An elegant evening showcasing men’s and women’s fashions from Ermenegeldo Zegna and Agnona and fine jewelry from Bvlgari unfolded earlier in the winter social season in the showroom of Brabus North America, a custom automobile dealer in Newport Beach.

As the cocktail reception began, local gents including Scott Baker, Thomas Barnes, Jeff Bloom, Doug Corrigan, Dick Card, Gregory Clayton, Greg Dillon, Evan Dorian, Marion Halfacre, Gene Lemmers, Stephano Lancona, Gian Carlo Maniaci, Eric Putnam and Ron Pontremoli joined professional models from the Ford Agency and Sophisticates models Sarah Corrigan, Kathleen Duffy, Nancy Lynn Olson, Carol Pontremoli and Michele Stroube to show off the latest fashions and raising funds for the center.

The purpose of the organization is to divert local youth headed for legal difficulties through counseling. Their motto is “arrest the problem, not the child.” Funds raised at such events go to support the counseling outreach programs.

Tora Brown chaired the lively event with support from Sophisticates president Marsha Willis and a board that includes a host of dynamic local gals. A few deserving mention are Karen Elliott, Penny Fox, Barbara Magness, Annamarie McGee, Denice Mock, Debbie Newmeyer, Mary Pon, Grace Thelen, Debbie Schweickert and Charlene Prager.

A major live auction conducted by Chuck Dreyer raised the financial bar. The net proceeds of the fashion show topped $26,000.

The men’s theme was also in vogue recently at the fourth annual Men With Heart bachelor auction held on behalf of the Child Abuse Prevention Center. Thirty thousand dollars were raised to help kids in need as some 150 single ladies bid on dates with 17 eligible bachelors. As each of the bachelors took his turn up for bid, a “dream date” package was described before bidding began. The top two bachelor dates went for $2,000 and the high bid of the night was $2,500.

The Child Abuse Prevention Center serves some 16,000 Orange County children each year. For more information, visit www.brightfutures4kids.org.

* THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.

(LA)Kathleen Duffy and Gary Adams help raise $26,000 at the Sophisticates fashion show.20051222irvfycnc(LA)Dawn Spangler stands with Thom Barnes, a model at the Men of O.C. 20051222irvfwgnc(LA)Bachelor Corey Donaldson stands with two bidders, Gena Van Horne and Amy Williams, at a recent auction for child abuse prevention. 20051222irvfy0nc(LA)Kathleen Duffy and Gary Adams help raise $26,000 at the Sophisticates fashion show.20051222gzf7uqke(LA)20051222irvlvync(LA)Kimberly Calder and bachelor Neil Lehtola helped to raise $30,000 for child abuse prevention. 20051222irvfxenc(LA)Marsha Willis, president of the Sophisticates, with Tora Brown, men’s fashion show chairwoman