B.W. COOK--The Crowd

The third annual high tea and fashion show in support of Project Cuddle

of Hope for Humanity unfolded with panache last week at the Pelican Hill

Golf Resort in Newport Coast.

The Sunday gathering began at 11 a.m. with a silent auction filled to

capacity with generous donations from local merchants. At 1 p.m., high

tea was served and a fashion show, produced by Neiman Marcus, was

presented to the large contingent of area women in attendance.

“We are a small yet powerful guild of women with a membership of only 15

active members,” Susan Bridgford said. “We have raised over $145,000 from

our first two events and we hope to raise an additional $100,000 today

for Project Cuddle.”

And just what is Project Cuddle? The purpose of the group is to stop

neonatal killings. Babies are abandoned, left to die, and yes, murdered

with alarming frequency in a society that too often regards life, even

innocent newborn life, as disposable.

Project Cuddle provides a 24-hour hotline, created in 1996, for women in

crisis with unborn or newborn infants. Their hope is to provide help for

women who may be frightened and uninformed regarding their options.

“Our aim is to find confidential, safe and legal options for these women.

We are here to save the tiniest of victims . . . the babies,” according

to Project Cuddle’s mission statement.

The executive director and founder of the organization is Debbe Magnusen.

Project Cuddle is benefited by the umbrella of Hope for Humanity, a

support group with a hard-working contingent of members, including

Bridgford, Heather Bull, Dede Engelbrecht, Chris Griffith, Julie Hart,

Mary Ann Heydenreich, Tracey Kirkland, Rachael Malagon, Cheryl

Mothershead, Bonnie Nelson, Monika Quigley, Susan Reynolds, Trish Spence

and Debbie Spriggs and founding member Colleen Knottnerus.

“It’s so amazing that such a small guild such as ours can make such a big

difference in the lives of others,” said Knottnerus, who was pleased with

the impressive rally for the cause.

Knottnerus was joined by Quigley, Malagon and Mothershead in welcoming

the arriving crush.

Special thanks for making the event possible goes to Holly Catalina,

Megan Hand, Paige Collins and Marc Kaufman, as well as underwriters

Wifred Knottnerus and Richard Bridgford, Michelle Grahm, Trish Larkin,

Stefanie Colombatto and Quigley.

CUTLINES

#1 -- Colleen Knottnerus, founding member of Hope for Humanity, with

Debbe Magnusen, the executive director and founder of Project Cuddle.

#2 -- Guild member Chris Griffith, cochairwoman and underwriter Monika

Quigley and guild member and underwriter Susan Bridgford at the high tea

and fashion show supporting Project Cuddle.

Stand Alone Photo Caption: The women’s auxiliary of the Arthritis

Foundation recently held its 27th annual luncheon and fashion show at the

Double Tree Hotel in Costa Mesa. The event, billed as “A Glimpse of the

20th Century” featured a fashion show presented by Couture Productions.

Actress Lee Merriwether, right, was the guest of honor, along with

actress Nanette Fabray. More than $20,000 was raised at the event for the

foundation. Also pictured, from left, Janet Fryer, president of the

women’s auxiliary and Robert King, president of the Arthritis Foundation

Southern California Chapter.