| |
 Voices
of Our Children 2002
By Cindy Romero
This is just a real quick event report on the Penny Lane: Voices
of Our Children.
Diane and I arrived at the Beverly Hills Woman's Club shortly after
5:00pm. We were fortunate enough to ge a parking place directly
across the street from the front door.
After checking in and getting our programs we met with and visited
briefly with Delia one of the event coordinators. Delia showed us
to our seats and told us to make ourselves at home. We wandered
around looking at the different rooms.
After getting soft drinks, we perused the Silent Auction room. There
were all kinds of things being auctions off. Some of the items were,
dining gift certificates, gift baskets, glass sculpture, tennis
lessons, baskets with photos, t-shirts and other items from TV shows
like ER and CSI. The big item was the VIP visit for two to the West
Wing set.
There were raffle tickets for sale for various items. Penny Lane
had tote bags, t-shirts, water bottles for sale. We saw Susan Burnett
arrive and visited with her briefly. Marc arrived first and greeted
us with big hugs and a peck on the cheek. He visited briefly with
us.
 Susan
was his assigned host fot the event. Susan briefed Marc on what
was going to take place. After she gave him his packet to review
she showed him where his seat was. Coctails were from 6:00 to 6:45.
The only other celebrities there that I recognized were Patricia
Tallman and Bruce Weitz. There were many many more.
Casey and Brigit arrived during cocktails. We visited with them
and Marc. Marc told us that he did finally sell his motorcycle and
that the man who bought it buys motorcycles where they are plentiful
and takes them in a trailer to the east coast and doubles his money.
The announcement was made that it was time for the program to start.
It was standing room only. Diane and I were very lucky to have gotten
there early to get seats.
While we were taking our seats I noticed a very handsome man on
the right side of the room looking our direction. It was Enrique
Sandino, the actor who portrayed Santa Anna in the IMAX move Alamo:
The Price of Freedom. I had met him in San Antonio and we recognized
each other at the same time. Unfortunately we were across the room
so visiting had to wait until the program was over.
Natasha Allas and Ed Hall were the Masters of Ceremony. There was
a Choreo Poem called the Soul. Of a Dreamer performed by S.H.E Poets
who are a group of young women from the group of children from Penny
Lane. This was followed by the Voices of our children readings.
The actors who did readings were Mary Helgenberger, William Petersen,
Jorja Fox, Bruce Weitz, Yvette Freeman, Giovanni Ribisi, Venus Manuel,
Angela Watson, Patricia Tallman, Alan Rosenberg and Marc Alaimo.
Marc's introduction went "Our next reader slithered his way
through Deep Space 9 as Gul Dukat."
After the readings, Penny Lane alumni Debbie Spence was next with
the story of her life and how Penny Lane helped her.
Then the big moment. The Blue Skies Award winner for 2001, Coltin
Scott from General Hospital presented the award for 2002's Blue
Skies Award for an individual, Casey Biggs.
Casey's acceptance speech was very moving especially when he said
he wished he was able to pay for the education of each and every
one of the Penny Lane kids. Olyn Moretti got a Blue Skies award
for work done by a corporation.
The program ended with the S.H.E. Dancers of Penny Lane. It was
a celebration Dance to "No more Drama" by Mary Jay Blige,
and Directed by Anita Dashille Sparks. From 8-9 it was Dessert and
Coffee Buffett, the raffle winners were announced and the Silent
Auction concluded. It was a wonderful night for all.
Marc looked for Susan Burnett to tell her thank's for everything
and to say his good byes to her but she had to leave early. So Susan,
Marc requested that I pass on his thanks and regrets that he had
missed you to say good night.
|
|
| |
|
