Press Room

Saddleback Memorial Foundation, San Clemente 2nd Annual Dancing to a New Beat Charity Gala Raises $202,000

May 28, 2008

Winners included Mary Johnson & Kristi Kindred, both from San Clemente

San Clemente, CA – May 20, 2008 – Saddleback Memorial Foundation, San Clemente hosted its annual “Dancing to a New Beat” charity gala at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott in Dana Point on Saturday, May 17, 2008. Over 500 people attended the second annual black-tie gala and $202,000 was raised to benefit Cardiac Care programs at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in San Clemente.

The highlight of the evening was the dance competition styled after ABC's TV's smash hit "Dancing with the Stars." Dance competition winners included Mary Johnson, Dance Champion and owner of Universal Press, Inc., a local San Clemente digital printer and copy center and Kristi Kindred, South Orange County's Favorite Dancer, San Clemente resident and principal and CFO of WLA Investments, Inc. The other committee-selected, South County community leaders' dancers who participated in the competition were Lisa Rodarti, San Clemente resident and owner of Erba Home Furnishings and Erba European Soaps and Body Care; Julius Ibanez, Emergency Department physician at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in San Clemente; Dr. Bill Redmond, Orthodontist and owner of Redmond Orthodontics in San Clemente; and Dave Peters, general engineering contractor in San Clemente. Veteran participants and last year's winners Erini Redmond and Tony Carbonara also performed.

"'Dancing to a New Beat' not only brings the community together but it raises funds to support programs at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center," said Pat Davis, Saddleback Memorial Foundation, San Clemente president. "The dancers bring energy and support by participating in the dance competition and their peers love watching them perform."

The gala also featured a live auction, which was included a "Honorary First Pitch at Angels Stadium," won by Dr. Steve Cullen, one of last year’s dancers, for $4000. Another big item was a "Girls Night in with the Talega Fireman," won by Mary Carbonara from San Clemente for $4,100. The evening also included dinner and exhibition dances, a silent auction and dancing.

The 2008 sponsors included:

• Angelica
• AT&T
• Bank of the West
• CR&R
• CEP
• McKesson
• Gene Alley
• Farmers and Merchants Bank
• Four Star Distributing
• Jan Hobbs Financial Group
• Bristol Park Medical Group
• O’Connor Mortuary
• Pacific Coast National Bank
• Pacific Ambulance
• Tiller
• Philips
• Union Bank
• Wachovia
• Redmond Orthodontics
• Stryker
• Thompson Engineering
• RBF Engineering
• Pereira Higgins Foundation
• San Diego Gas & Electric

About Saddleback Memorial Medical Center
Saddleback Memorial San Clemente Foundation raises funds to support new programs, services, facilities, and equipment so that Saddleback Memorial Medical Center San Clemente, a community-based not-for-profit hospital, can continue its mission of enhancing the health and well being of individuals.

About Saddleback Memorial Foundation – San Clemente
Philanthropy makes a difference. Saddleback Memorial Foundation San Clemente raises funds exclusively for Saddleback Memorial Medical Center San Clemente, a community-based, not-for-profit hospital. Every day patients are comforted, bones are mended, illnesses are diagnosed and lives are saved at Saddleback Memorial – thanks in part to the generous donations made by the individuals and companies of this caring community. For more information on the Foundation, please call the Vice President of Fund Development Pat Davis at 949-489-4552.