Christopher and Event Chair Kristina Lomax with Executive Director John Hitchcock and his wife Ida

“Once Upon a Hillsides,” this year’s theme for the annual benefit for Hillsides, the foster care children’s charity in Pasadena, was a spectacular hit.  Set in a private club in downtown Los Angeles, the 95-year charity raised over $372,000 for its services and programs to prevent child abuse.

With 300 guests bidding for auction items, generous donors and attendees

Lyn Spector and Renee Hanson

Board Member Glenn Keller and Anthony Blanco

contributed to the charity’s best benefit ever.  Engaging bidders throughout the live auction was celebrity auctioneer, NBC 4 weathercaster Fritz Coleman, with the first live auction package being an evening with Dr. Drew, host of VH1’s “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.”  Pasadena residents Peter and Mary Grace Kaufman along with six friends will enjoy

Back row: Mary Dee Hacker, Bishop Suffragan Chester Talton, Cannon Steve Nishibayashi and Bishop Jon Bruno, Front Row: April Talton, Rev. George Woodward, Mary Bruno, Margaret Campbell and Bishop Assistant Sergio Carranza

a catered dinner at Julienne in San Marino with Dr. Drew Pinsky.

Other successful bidders included Paul Rusnak and Donna Pierson of Pasadena who won the Majestic America Line Cruise and two round-trip tickets donated by Southwest Airlines, which was the highest bid item at $7,500.  Sierra Madre resident Jacob Maarse will be heading to a far, far away land—London, England, while Academy-

Dr. Drew Pinsky and his wife Susan

Actors Jean Smart and Richard Gilliland

Award nominee James Newton Howard (Best Original Score for “Michael Clayton”), will be visiting wine country in Northern California.

In the charity’s Super Silent Auction, the Elton John concert tickets raised $5,900 by Carole DePaul of Pasadena, which was cheered on by attendees Davey Johnstone and John Mahon, members of

Jill Allen and Celebrity Auctioneer Fritz Coleman

Nelson Holdo and Meshell Sohl of Asanti Fine Jewllers

Elton John's band, who have been longtime supporters of the foster care children’s charity. Michael Hatch, Hillsides board member and Pasadena resident, won the $5,000 gift certificate to Asanti Fine Jewellers in San Marino.

Besides the auction, guests were given an opportunity to contribute to the foster care children’s

Board member Michael Hatch with his wife Ellen and Sally Clark with Board member Don Clark

Thomas and Darlene Lee

residential program.  Emmy-Award winning actor Jean Smart shared her personal story of her commitment to the foster care children who live at Hillsides.

“Besides being part of the gorgeous, classiest charity event in Los Angeles, you can do something so incredibly important for the children--to help them learn to trust,” said Smart of their contribution to the foster care children’s program. “And teach them the world is a benevolent place.”

Cathy and Barry Sedlik

Linda Blinkenberg, Kathleen Briley and Nancy Davis

Pasadena resident Kristina Lomax, who chaired the charity’s annual benefit, reflected on the event and said, “Hillsides touches me deeply, and it is obvious it does the same for others.  Being able to have a part in a night that creates such magic, hope, and camaraderie is very rewarding.”

The magical event was made possible by

William Eichler, Liz Rusnak Arizmendi and Edison Barbosa

Paul Rusnak and Donna Pierson

sponsors who included San Marino residents Debbe and Spike Booth, Sherm and Marge Telleen, and Megan and Bill Phelps; Pasadena residents John and Ida Hitchcock, Susan and Bill Noce, Ben and Judy Reiling; and Sierra Madre residents Jacob and Clara Maarse, including Jacob Maarse Floral Design in Pasadena; and South Pasadena resident Lyn Spector;  RUSNAK Auto Group, The Walt Disney

Ara Najarian, Sara Elena Loaiza, Mark Martinez, and Dee Fisher

William and Patricia Bedford

Company, Western Asset Management Company, and many more. 

To learn more about the foster care children’s charity serving kids and families in Los Angeles County, visit www.Hillsides.org and www.HillsidesEducationCenter.org.