By Stacha Khatib
Western Sun staff writer
On March 13, the Grand Ballroom at the Huntington Beach Waterfront Hilton was filled with supporters of the 13th Annual Golden West College Gala.
The black tie affair, sponsored by Elmore Toyota, brought local business owners, community members, local and state officials, as well as Golden West’s faculty and students together for an exciting evening that started with a silent auction and ended with its patrons dancing well into the night.
There was plenty to bid on at the silent auction in the Pacific Room before the reception. Disneyland donated 4 park-hopper passes worth $388, with an opening bid of only $75.
Southwest Airlines and the Friends of GWC donated two round trip tickets anywhere South West flies, plus a four night stay at any Marriott.
Over 250 donors, including Asics Footwear, The Balboa Bay Club, Boomers, Chivas USA, and Dr. Phil were some of the sponsors who donated to the auction. Although Phil’s offer of 4 VIP tickets to one of his shows in Hollywood for only $50, got zero bids.
At 7 p.m. the doors to the ballroom opened for live bidding, dinner, and dessert, all while dancing and enjoying the live music provided by Wayne Foster Entertainment.
Auctioneer Jim McAleer did his best to woo the crowd with such live auction items as Molly, a Chihuahua mix rescue dog and the opportunity for a walk-on-role in the Golden West College Theater Department’s production of “Grease.”
Prepared by the Hilton’s own executive chef, Jeff Littlefield, the evening’s dinner was just as amazing to taste, as it was beautiful to look at. Starting with a pastry topped mushroom bisque, a dinner of steak and fish with sauces separated by broccolini followed.
Desert consisted of warm fresh baked donuts with various dipping sauces. The Homecoming king and queen came out to announce the evening’s raffle winners. On the block was a six carat aquamarine ring donated by Anaheim Hills Jewelry and Coin Mart and a 2010 Prius, donated by Elmore Toyota.
Homecoming King Sumair Devani announced that retired GWC accounting professor, Larry Belinn, who had already left for the evening had won the car. The ring was awarded by Homecoming Queen Morgan Mymon to gala supporter Bob Soto, the owner of Homewatch Caregivers.
The event netted close to $100,000. For more information on the gala or information on galas to come, visit www. goldenwestcollege.edu/
