The Shining Stars Gala was a sparkling affair for Childhelp.
THE PARTY It was a star-studded night when the Childhelp Washington Area Chapter held its third annual gala at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner. Themed An Evening of Light & Hope, the fete aided abused and at-risk kiddos. THE PEOPLE Some 425 guests joined co-chairs Jane and Rich Hozik, and Shelley and Pete Mandanis for the affair. Also on the scene: master of ceremonies John O’Hurley (Seinfeld’s J. Peterman) and auctioneer Yve Rojas, who, in her pink playsuit, ratcheted up a bid for $1,600 for Champagne and Lucky Charms. And then there were the charming founders, Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, two former Hollywood actresses whose mission began in 1959 while on a goodwill tour in Japan. BEST IN SHOW
The crowd was moved when Valerie and Joe Hadeed of their namesake carpet biz were honored for their support. Another bright spot: The affair netted $350,000 for the nonprofit’s Alice C. Tyler Village, its national abuse hotline—and its work to stop five children from dying every day from abuse and neglect. -Kristen Schott
Photos by Laura Ashbrook Photography