Event built on Alzheimer’s experience

B.W. COOK

A grand “gathering of friends” at Village Crean on Newport’s Back Bay

raised more than $128,000 for Adult Day Services of Orange County.

Chairwoman of the May 20 event was Cindy Picquelle of Huntington

Beach, with major support coming from Hoag Memorial Hospital

Foundation in Newport Beach, Washington Mutual Mortgage Division and

local philanthropists Karen Johnson, Jan and Jack Stephenson and the

McDaniel Family Foundation.

The party at the estate of John and Donna Crean was decorated in a

“Summer in Yosemite” theme. Scenes of the great California natural

landmark surrounded diners enjoying Italian cuisine and listening to

1960s classic rock.

The event was built around the favorite elements of the life of

Chris Kaufman, 58, a participant in the programs and services of

Adult Day Center. Kaufman suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, and he

presented the crowd with a chilling perspective on the affliction for

a younger man.

Joined at the event by his wife of 35 years, Marcia Kaufman, the

couple shared their plight together fighting the disease. Marcia

Kaufman said, “Chris was an accomplished athlete. He dedicated his

life to coaching swimming and water polo, teaching at Los Angeles

high schools. He was also an artist, who enjoyed oil painting ... and

he played the acoustic guitar and wrote.”

Alzheimer’s has taken these gifts from Chris Kaufman. He spends

his daytime hours at the Adult Day Services Center. Marcia Kaufman

works nearby. The center support allows the couple to remain living

together. Cordula Dick-Muehlke, who is associated with the center,

said, “For more than 24 years, Adult Day Services of Orange County

has assisted thousands of Orange County families like Chris and

Marcia with the heart-wrenching task of caring for a loved one.”

For more information on Adult Day Services, please call (714)

593-9630.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.