Hula with H.E.L.P. Success

Attendees at H.E.L.P.'s sixth annual Celebrate Summer party on July 20 at the Torrance Memorial Health Conference Center had a fun-filled Hawaiian evening while they raised money for H.E.L.P. Over 200 guests enjoyed a delicious Hawaiian buffet, live ukulele music by the Ukulele Jammers, and a beautiful hula demonstration by Na Hula 'O Wahine. The event raised more than $100,000 for H.E.L.P.'s education and counseling services for elders and their families

Guests had their pictures taken by a beautiful sunset backdrop and bid on over 110 silent auction items which included art, photography, restaurant gift certificates, jewelry, wines, baskets, gifts, luggage, tours, vacation homes, and much more. Board Chair Helen Dennis, and Board member Rod Burkley welcomed the guests and introduced sponsors, elected officials and the press. John Kunkle conducted the raffles and the live auction.

Ed Long provided a poignant spotlight on H.E.L.P.'s mission, and then welcomed back John Kunkle, who fired up a lively live auction where Jean Adelsman won seven months of dessert created by past and present H.E.L.P. board members, and Jimi Andersen won box seats at the Tchaikovsky Spectacular at the Hollywood Bowl (donated by Tom and Ruth Shigekuni). Jennifer and Rich Sittel will spend a weekend the weekend at the Meritage, while enjoying a VIP tour and a magnum of Domaine Carneros sparkling wine (donated by the Meritage and Kathleen Crane, A Law Corporation). Elaine Seegar and her guests will be spending a week's vacation at an Irish Cottage on the Shannon River (donated by Lou Atha), and Pam and Ed Johnson will be enjoying a five-night luxury package at the beautiful Fairmont Kea Lani Resort on the island of Maui (donated by Jimi Andersen.)

The final live auction item was a "Giacomo and the Dolphin Express", a unique audio-visual show where supporters provided dollars to help cartoon character Giacomo escape his latest dilemma and continue on his way to the H.E.L.P. Center. This pure donation item was funded by supporters and produced more than $24,000 in donations, including matching funds donated by Jimi Andersen.

100% of the event's costs were generously underwritten by sponsors who included: BP - Carson One, Torrance Memorial Medical Center, Mackenroth Land Company, Inc., Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., Alcoa Fastening Systems, Bank of America, Bay Cities National Bank, The Boeing Company, Burkley & Brandlin LLP, Continenetal Development Company, Emily Stuhlbarg & Associates, Enright Premier Wealth Advisors, Inc., Cliff & Joanne Evans, Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., Jayne Products, Inc., Lincoln Iron & Metals Inc., Little Company of Mary Community Health Foundation, Palos Verdes Engineering, Sunrise Assisted Living, Virco Mfg. Corporation, Adia Home Care, California Water Service Company, City National Bank, Cronkite & Kissell L.L.C. The Elliott Group at Smith Barney, Green Hills Memorial Park, Kaiser Permanente, Kathleen D. Crane, A Law Corporation, L.A. Press, Malaga Bank, and South Bay Bank.

H.E.L.P. is an award-winning Torrance, California -based non-profit education and counseling center providing impartial information to older adults and families on elder care, law, finances and more. Since its inception in 1996, it has helped thousands of individuals, couples and families. Its services include public classes, private consultations, publications and telephone and Internet assistance. H.E.L.P. is located at 1404 Cravens Avenue, Torrance, California 90501. The phone number is (310) 533-1996, and the Internet addresses are www.help4srs.org, www.annuitytruth.org and www.better-endings.org.