The 39th annual Cameo Fashion Show was “A Glamorous Affair” — and a well-attended one too, with 400 glamorous guests enjoying the March 29 fundraiser at The Westin Long Beach.
Great attention was paid to the beautiful décor details depicting the Roaring Twenties and the glamour of that era.
The abundant silent auction featured more than 200 items. An exciting live auction, led by Jim Nye, featured a wide variety of items, including trips with exciting destinations like the French Riviera and Washington, D.C. (that included lunch with Rep. Robert Garcia); an exclusive cocktail party while enjoying the Long Beach Harbor; and a speakeasy murder mystery dinner.
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Cameo, photo from left, Co-Chair RD Committee/Fashion Show Daniela Garcia, Cameo Chair Sharon Chavez and Co-Chair RD Committee/Fashion Show Margaret Warren. (Courtesy)
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Cameo, photo from left, Co-Chair RD Committee/Fashion Show Daniela Garcia, Cameo Chair Sharon Chavez and Co-Chair RD Committee/Fashion Show Margaret Warren. (Courtesy)
More than $100,000 was raised to support Cameo’s mentoring program for promising underserved students of Long Beach Unified School District high schools and the re-entry women of Long Beach City College.
“Because of your generosity,” Chair Sharon Chavez said, “we’re able to fund our mentoring program and help so many Long Beach Students reach their full potential and achieve their dream of going to college.”
An impressive former mentee-turned-mentor, Norma Salcedo, who has a doctorate, was the alumni keynote speaker. She spoke meaningfully about how the program has benefited her.
“CAMEO helped inform my parents about my career options,” Salcedo said, “and helped ease their financial worries as they stressed about how to pay for everything I needed for college.”
With the help of her CAMEO mentor, scholarships and a lot of hard work, she has earned a doctorate in educational leadership and is now the director of the Dream Success Center at CSULB, where she supports undocumented and immigrant families.
“Fifteen-year-old Norma would’ve never imagined being here today,” Salcedo said. “Your generosity will not only support the students but the city as well.”
Marlene Temple, a staunch CAMEO supporter, agreed.
“It’s an incredible cause,” Temple said. “The alumni keynote speaker, now teaching at CSULB with a doctorate degree, is a case in point. It was a gratifying afternoon and a delight to be there. It was impressive and inspiring.”
The day included a professional fashion show, produced by award-winning Couture Fashion Productions, which highlighted the designer collections of Lourdes Chavez and Roger Canamar. The show also included a dance presentation featuring highly sought after performers from Ballroom Entertainment.
“The clothes were beautiful and featured designs for all facets in life, from sporty to dressy,” said Mari Hooper.
Dr. Martha Molina Bernadett, president and CEO of The Molina Foundation, was honored with the Philanthropic Partner of the Year award. George Pla, founder and CEO of Cordoba Corporation, was honored with the Corporate Partner of the Year award.
Gold Sponsors: Temple Family Charitable Foundation; and Martha and Faustino Bernadett; and Family and Friends of Rosi Pedersen. Silver Sponsors: The Port of Long Beach. Bronze Sponsors: F&M Bank, Renew, MemorialCare and Dignity Health.
Seen at the scene: Mayor Rex Richardson and Nina Richardson, Chair Sharon Chavez, Co-Chairs Margaret Warren and Daniela Garcia, Cassidy Hill, Sharifa Batts, The Molina Family, Ginny Baxter, Diane DeWalshe, Linda Rahn, Ellen Calomiris, Mary Sophae, Linda Edgar, Michelle Antonaras, Naomi Blackmore, Darlene Hopkins, Susan Blackwell, Marlene Temple, Joan VanHooten, Barbara Hall, Nancy Koblensky, Mari Hooper, Stephanie Davis, Karen Wells, Ginny Baxter, Josh Krantz, Julie Knabe, Richard Brown, Katherine Keesal, Barbara Blackwell, Loree Scarborough, Elaine Goodnoe, Cindy Gillis, Jackie Stanfield.
High Tea at MOLAA
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St. Mary’s High Tea, photo from left, Marianne Gastelum and St. Mary’s President Chief Philanthropy Officer Michael Neils. (Courtesy)
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St. Mary’s High Tea, photo from left, Marianne Gastelum and St. Mary’s President Chief Philanthropy Officer Michael Neils. (Courtesy)
Dignity Health — St. Mary Medical Center hosted High Tea for 35 leading philanthropic women in Long Beach at the Museum of Latin American Art on March 27. Delectable petite sandwiches and scrumptious sweets tempted the ladies in attendance, many of whom wore spring chapeaux as they sipped champagne and tea.
With great enthusiasm, Michael Neils, the hospital’s chief philanthropy officer, introduced guests to the St. Mary Scholar Program.
Neils made the point that the St. Mary Scholar Program directly impacts the shortage of health care professionals. St. Mary has major support ($100,000 annually) from a local foundation and is actively working to partner with the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and others to further encourage collaboration with St. Mary’s to raise a new generation of health care professionals locally.
He stressed “health justice,” which is an idea realized when no person is disadvantaged from achieving their full health potential. Health justice means that every person lives as healthy a life as they are capable of living.
“It’s a win/win for all,” Neils said.
“In 2024, St. Mary created a $2 million endowment,” he added. “The proceeds will be used to provide scholarships for students preparing for careers in health care.”
Last spring, St. Mary awarded 10 scholarships of $2,500 each to nursing students at LBCC and another 10 awards of $5,000 each to nursing students at CSULB.
A highlight of the afternoon came with the introduction of the first St. Mary Scholars to the receptive audience: Hilary De La Cruz (ASN student at LBCC) and Logan Morris (a BSN student at CSULB).
Seen at the scene: Co-hosts Dignity Health SMMC President and CEO Carolyn Caldwell, President and CEO of MOLAA Lourdes Ramos and Marianne Gastelum. More attending were: Nancy Gaines, Dr. Gloria Willingham, Michelle Byerly, Sandy Cajas, Kay Cofield, caryn desai, Cam Doherty Killingsworth, Lorraine and Vanessa Haberbush, MaryJane Conti, Mihaela Mehr, Maria Saltzgaver, and Chiyeko Perry.
News of Social events with charitable purposes may be sent to Shirley Wild at spwild@verizon.net or by fax to 562-594-9468. Please include a contact phone number. Send high-resolution jpeg photos, by attachment, to spwild@verizon.net and include group name and identification of individuals from left. Call Shirley at 562-594-9468 for more information.
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