THE CROWD:

It was a big night for CASA, court appointed special advocates.

The Orange County-based nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the legal rights of abused children held its 16th annual gala “Celebration of Children” on a recent Saturday evening at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Irvine.

Nearly 500 local guests converged upon the Hyatt in black tie and glitter, raising a very impressive $472,000. It is CASA’s most important fundraiser of the year and money raised supports legal aid programs helping kids all year long.

The evening began with a cocktail reception at dusk followed by a served four-course dinner menu with dancing to the music of the local group Haute Chili.

The dinner program was punctuated with an emotional address by one of the honorees of the evening, Sandy Phan, who shared her personal story growing up in the foster care system.

Two dedicated women, Rhoda Becker and Joyce Herron, were honored with CASA’s highest award of the year. Both women received “Advocates of the Year” honors.

Also honored at the gala were Sharon Cheever and Judge Louis Rodriguez, labeled as “Children’s Champions” and recognized for their extreme dedication to CASA programs.

Commissioner Dennis Keough was recognized for his work on behalf of children going through the court process.

Other honors included the William Gillespie Foundation, which was lauded for its generosity as the foundation donor of the year.

CASA of Orange County is one of 900 similar programs throughout the United States that work with the most difficult child abuse cases in the child welfare system.

CASA supervises community volunteers who become advocates and mentors for neglected children referred to CASA by the Orange County Juvenile Court.

These adult mentors often times represent the only consistent role model in the life of a child placed in foster care who may be moved up to six times a year to different foster homes.

Supporting CASA at the recent gala were Asdrubal Hernandez, singer and actress Gloria Loring, Eduardo and Peggy Bottger, Carlos Alvarez, Deborah and Jack Griffith, Lisa and Don Stallings, Tanya Langton and Lucie and Geoff Moore.

Also in the crowd were Diana Soloman, Kim Watson, Fred Port, Rhoda Becker, Joyce Herron and Greg Bradbard.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.