A day of thanks for sharing

B.W. COOK

It is appropriate to report on Thanksgiving Day that the Costa

Mesa-based Share Our Selves Celebrity Chefs was recognized as the

Outstanding 2004 Volunteer Group in Orange County.

The accolades were bestowed upon the culinary crew at the recent

Spirit of Philanthropy Awards luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in

Garden Grove.

The award is part of a program known as National Philanthropy Day,

held Nov. 10 across America to pay tribute to the people who care

enough about their fellow citizens to get involved in their welfare.

In Costa Mesa, and all over America, what is more basic or

important than hunger?

“This committed group of chefs has donated their tremendous

talents and resources to feeding the poor for fourteen years,� said

Karen Harrington, a representative of Share Our Selves.

“They have raised over $1,500,000 to support the SOS Orange Aid

Project, retrieving perishable food in the community and feeding over

700,000 needy Orange County families.�

The sharing chefs include: Michael Kang, Alan Greeley, Ted Gray,

Jean Paul Le Manissier, John McLaughlin, Christian Rassinoux, Franco

Barone, Laurent Brazier, Dominique Briaire, Chris Garnier and Tim

Goodell, to name only a few.

In other Share Our Selves news, Kathy Thompson of Corona del Mar

and her dedicated A-Team volunteers joined together for the third and

final Sharing Chef dinner at Capri Blu in Newport Beach.

The series of gatherings, over local food and wine, has raised

both funds and awareness for Share Our Selves and other programs

benefiting the poor and needy in Orange County.

The Capri Blu dinner carried an Italian theme with a New Year’s

Eve twist. In the crowd were Pam and Lewis Canfield, Shirley Hospers,

Margaret and Roger Nord, Jill and Matt Stewart, Harriett Wieder and

Reed and Rita Sprinkel.

The Friends of Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter will gather for the

holiday event at the Corona del Mar residence of Joanne and John

Mullins.

A Dec. 14 luncheon is planned for members and guests with a

suggested donation of $50, plus an unwrapped gift to be given to

families served by the shelter.

Newport’s dedicated volunteer Judy Cooper reports that the

shelter, which serves local homeless families, needs sweats, winter

jackets, underwear, pajamas and rain gear.

The luncheon will be chaired by Lois Jacobs. To reserve your spot,

call the shelter office in Costa Mesa at (949) 631-7213.

Mark your holiday calendars with a star on Dec. 8.

Parent Help USA, founded by mothers and others against child

abuse, will sponsor “100 Reasons To Give.�

Turnip Rose in Costa Mesa will be the setting for an elegant

holiday dinner and dance celebration, benefiting child abuse services

in Orange County.

The evening will begin with a champagne reception and Christmas

caroling.

Tickets are $100 per person. Reservations may be made by calling

(949) 650-3461.

On this day of Thanksgiving, take a moment to display your

appreciation for the people in your life who matter. Then, hold hands

-- you needn’t sing any ‘60s folk songs -- and say a collective

prayer for those who do not have the love and support of others in

their lives. You don’t have to wish for world peace, although that

would be an amazing Thanksgiving blessing. Just endeavor to be the

best person you can be. Small changes lead to big miracles.

I want to personally pay tribute to the thousands of dedicated

souls I have had the privilege to write about in this column, week in

and out, for the past 12 years.

I am forever impressed by the range of caring and giving

underneath the sequins and silk ties and the parties with the

politically proper seating.

Newport-Mesa and the entire County of Orange are communities with

a rich tradition of philanthropy and a collective commitment to

improving the human condition.

Hats off to you all, many of whom will spend Thanksgiving Day with

family, friends and as volunteers at the many kitchens, feeding the

needy in our community. It is a gesture of pure human kindness, the

best example of our most essential humanity.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.