Ronald turns on catwalk

With oversized red shoes and a yellow-and-red ensemble, Ronald McDonald prowled the catwalk Friday at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort in Newport Beach.

The Orange County Ronald McDonald House’s 20th annual High Tea and Fashion Show celebrated 20 years of the home’s commitment to offering a sanctuary for families whose children are undergoing treatment at area children’s hospitals.

About $175,000 was raised through auctions and other means for the 20-bed home in Orange, where more than 10,000 families have stayed since it opened in 1989.

In addition, two newer Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at children’s hospitals in Orange County provide family members a place to unwind and research their children’s diseases.

The day included a fashion show featuring designs from a local boutique, Mi Place.

But the man of the hour was John German, a pediatric surgeon who has impacted many lives in his years of service. He was given the organization’s Person of Honor award.

Pediatric doctor Patrick Van Winkle spoke warmly of German, one of his inspirations for entering the medical field.

“What do you say to someone who gave you life; who let you grow up and get married?” Van Winkle asked.

He recalled when he was 9 years old and undergoing treatment for cancer. German was recommended to the family.

“He has a confidence about him and a comfort about him,” Van Winkle said. “As a patient, I just looked up and he told me that everything was going to be OK. And everything was OK.”

German’s granddaughter Corinne, 15, and grandson Justin, 18, also spoke of their grandfather’s commitment to his work and love of his family.

“It gives me pride to call this man my grandfather,” Justin said. “He’s just a selfless guy. ... Grandpa, you’re an awesome guy, and you deserve all of this.”

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