Doorways for Hope were opened for families in need when a crowd of 350 gathered at the Balboa Bay Club for HomeAid O.C.’s annual gala, a fête held to culminate the nonprof’s monthlong Project Playhouse event. Mara and Keith Murray, Chris and Kimberly Santoro, chairman John Racunas and others filled the alfresco courtyard for cocktails and fromage—from the cheese bar, natch—before heading indoors for dinner, dancing and an energetic live auction for four darling customplayhouses. But rest assured, these aren’t your average childhood toys. The mini mansions are crafted by local developers and are appointed with elements like fireplaces, stained glass windows, Christmas lights—the works! And guests couldn’t help but battle it out to nab one of them. It all helped raise nearly $400,000 to provide housing for the underserved—and lock out homelessness for good.  Photography by Robert Rooks and Garland West