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Spring Sounds Benefit
by Janet Duca Norton
Palo Alto Daily
"Taking Flight for the Next 30 Years," the
annual benefit for Adolescent Counseling Services, was
a soaring evening of entertainment, dinner and dancing,
a raffle
and live and silent auctions. The April 21 gala at the
Decathlon Club in Santa Clara attracted about 250 guests,
who saluted and supported the successful vision for the
next 30 years of "helping teenagers find their way."
“For 30 years, ACS has been a critical part of our community, providing
services for our teens. This event is a celebration of the good work we do, and
a wonderful opportunity for the community to share our passion for building brighter
futures for teens," said executive director Philippe Rey.
Happily married, a mother and successful business woman,
Erin Haver is a success story. She recounted her experience
living at Caravan House and how it changed her life at
age 13.
Each year more than 2,000 teens and families
in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties are helped through
ACS’s
three core programs: Caravan House, a group home for
teen girls; the On-Campus Counseling Program, providing
free counseling to students on six school campuses; and
the Adolescent Substance abuse Treatment Program, offering
treatment and care to teens as well as prevention education
in the community.
Real spring sounds were provided by Gunn
High School Jazz Band's serenade during the silent auction
and headliner Russ Lorenson and the Kelly Park Quartet.
This band just returned from a successful debut at the
Hideaway Room at Helen's, one of New York City's premier
cabaret venues.
Co-chairs Susan Jewkes and Sanam Saaber were
thrilled the busy evening raised $110,000. Auctioneer
Frank Bizzarro generated a lot of excitement, raising
$40,000 at the live auction. Big ticket items were
a private concert by Russ Lorenson’s Quartet,
won by board president Sylvie Way, and dinner at home
catered by famous former Google
Chef Charlie Ayers, won by Jim and Brenda
Herrington.
Guests included Eric and Elaine Hahn,
Julie and
Jonathan Jerome, Kathy and Mike Torgersen,
Doug and Barbara Spreng (2006 Tall Tree Award's
Outstanding Volunteer) and Nancy Ciaranelo,
who flew in from Boston to attend the
event.
Susan and Jim McDonnell, representing sponsor
Hewlett Packard, and sponsors Lauren
and David Berman bid against those in
public service - Vice Mayor Yoriko Kishimoto,
Palo Alto Unified Superintendent of
Schools Mary Frances Callan and Melissa Baten
Caswell, president of the Palo Alto Council of PTA’s.
Palo Alto Mayor Judy Kleinberg performed emcee
duties with style and said, "Spring Sounds was
elegant and lively. The auction was great fun, the
live music got folks dancing and everyone seemed to
have a great time. I am proud to support ACS, whose
services support families and build a brighter future
for teens in our community."
Janet Duca Norton's Toast of the Town column
appears every Wednesday and Sunday in the Daily News.
Send
event information to 324 High St., Palo Alto, CA 94301,
or
e-mail society@paloaltodailynews.com or
call
(650) 327-9090, ext. 334.
Sunday's Toast of the Town column will feature the
Elizabeth Gamble Garden Tour.
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