Heal the Bay Benefit Nets $98,000

Heal the Bay’s first “Bring Back the Beach” benefit dinner April 11 netted more than $98,000 for research, education and advocacy programs. Guests at the dinner, hosted by Opus Restaurant in Santa Monica, included Norman Lear, State Assemblyman Tom Hayden, Michele and Rob Reiner and other celebrities.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society will receive $140,000 raised at luncheon/fashion shows April 4-5 at the Beverly Hilton. A three-year pledge of $65,000 was also received from the Ben B. and Joyce Eisenberg Foundation. The gala, sponsored by Volunteers in Multiple Sclerosis (VIMS), was produced by Carlton Burnett and featured Travilla spring fashions. Honorees were Maxine Bergman, Robin Cooke and Sheri Safan. Funds will be used for research and service programs.

Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International will receive $130,000 raised at the seventh annual NutraSweet Classic March 30 at North Ranch Country Club, Westlake Village. Frankie Avalon, Tom Bosley, Bruce Jenner and Johnny Mathis were among the celebrities participating in the golf and tennis events underwritten by NutraSweet. Proceeds will go to diabetes research.

Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, announced receipt of a $23,000 check from Westlake Village Chapter of the California Institute for Cancer Research. Funds were raised at the group’s annual fashion show and luncheon at the Beverly Hilton. Co-chairs were Geri Conlan and Marlene Gastwirth.

San Gabriel Valley Civic Light Opera’s first “Celebration of a Dream” fund-raising dinner, held March 15 at the Ritz-Carlton, Huntington in Pasadena, raised $12,500.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will receive $8,000 raised at the March 29 Musicians for UNICEF party held at the Palomino Club. Artists donating time included Scott Page, Robby Krieger, Dallas Hodge, Kevin Cronin and Greg Bissonette. Drummer Eddie Tuduri is an organizer of the 12-year-old fund-raiser.

Ronald McDonald House and Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times received $11,000 from the Southern California Area Council of Alpha Delta Pi. The gift, announced March 20, will benefit children with cancer and their families.

AIDS Project Los Angeles will receive $1,200, proceeds of a reception and premiere performance of Peter DeAnello’s new play, “Two Way Street” at the Court Theatre. The March 28 event was hosted by Lava Entertainment and executive producer Brian Murphy.

Airport Marina Counseling Service has announced receipt of a $10,000 donation from the Fritz Burns Foundation to enable the clinic to continue providing therapy for individuals and families in need. AMCS is a private, nonprofit mental health clinic which serves outpatients in Westchester and surrounding communities.

ERAS Center, Educational Resources & Services Center’s March 18 “Best of Beverly Hills” celebrity fashion show hosted by Mary Ann Mobley and Gary Collins, was attended by more than 600 guests at the Beverly Hilton. The $40,000 netted will benefit children.