Passport to Paris
NCL, Jrs. Luncheon, Fashion Show, and Silent Auction
Lido residents Emery and Jessica Werner
National Charity League, Juniors, and Newport Chapter held their 34th annual Luncheon, Fashion Show, and Silent Auction, "Passport to Paris," at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach this spring. It was a record-breaking year! NCL, Jrs., and their guests raised over $300k. All proceeds from this year's benefit will be donated to their three core charities:
- High Hopes Head Injury Program - The only successful non-profit facility in the country provides rehabilitation and education for individuals recovering from major head trauma.
- Harry and Grace Steele Children's Center - An amazing facility that provides the highest quality daycare and learning opportunities for pre-school age children while their parents attend Orange Coast College with the goal of providing a better future.
- Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation - A foundation whose goal is to fund cancer research that will improve the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with malignant diseases.
Girls bustled around the Parisian scene with their French flag totes and puppy balloons from the Chien Adoption booth, using their tokens at the Patisserie or to play Spin the Wheel and Eiffel Tower Ring Toss. Some created their own miniature Eiffel Tower at the Louvre art table or became art themselves by sitting for the caricature artists for a Portrait in the Park or posing for pictures in the photo booth. The mothers were serenaded by a violinist as they mingled near the Fleurs Shop or Brasserie and bid on the enticing selection of silent auction items. At the Pont des Arts Lock Wall, guests attached their locks of love to the gate in support of their favorite charities.
“NCL, Jrs. makes such a big impact on the community. I’m happy to support their charities, and attending the luncheon offered a great opportunity to teach my daughter, Emery, about giving back,” said Lido resident Jessica Werner.
In the ballroom, the tables were set with Madeline-inspired centerpieces complete with Eiffel Towers and pretty spring flowers. High Hopes patient Kirby McKenzie and director Mark Desmond spoke about NCL’s impact on the lives of “students” at the facility; and Joanna Irwin shared the moving story of her cancer journey with her young son and how it inspired her to join the crusade against childhood cancers.
The afternoon concluded with the presentation of the 6th-grade mothers and daughters and the traditional fashion show. The girls took to the runway to model Fashion Island’s finest for the cheering crowd.