Barbara Sinatra luncheon honors Michael Phelps

The Barbara Sinatra Center for Abused Children achieved “Olympic Gold” with their 2017 Champion Honors Luncheon honoring and celebrating Michael Phelps the most decorated Olympian of all time.  Phelps participated in five Olympic games, earning 28 Olympic medals, 23 of them gold.

Barbara Sinatra and her late husband Frank Sinatra founded the Barbara Sinatra Center for Abused Children in 1986.  The center counsels children suffering from the effects of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and focuses on prevention, community education and breaking the cycle of generational abuse.  No child is ever turned away due to a family’s inability to pay.  The Center has served over 22,000 children since it opened, and currently serves around 1,000 clients annually.  Approximately 90% of The Center’s budget comes from the generosity of the caring worldwide community, fundraising events and charitable organizations.

Nearly 700 attendees gathered to honor and hear keynote speaker Michael Phelps share his story in an unforgettable intimate interview with NFL Sportscaster Alex Flanagan who had covered some of Phelps’ Olympic performances.  Phelps discussed his illustrious athletic career, setbacks, current branding, his decision to retire, and his foundation.  His foundation is educating and teaching swimming around the world to children.  Over one million children drown every year by not having learned to swim

Singer Donald Osborne sang “God Bless America.” And then Vice Chairman/Trustee/Event Chair Helene Galen welcomed the 700 attendees, including chairwoman Barbara Sinatra, Michael and Nicole Phelps, president Angie Gerber, and the board of directors.  She also acknowledged dignitaries including California State Treasurer John Chiang, Riverside Sheriff Stan Sniff, Rancho Mirage City Council Members G. Dana Hobart and Iris Smotrich, and Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon.

A short video narrated by Joe Mantegna provided an overview of the mission and brief history of the Center.  CEO/Executive Director John Thoresen provided an update on The Center and described the great success of a national video campaign on child abuse awareness and prevention, produced in conjunction with Wonder Media in Los Angeles.

Vice President/Co-Chair of the Host Committee Hal Gershowitz carried on a conversation from the podium with video animated child character "Maya," asking attendees to become Aunts or Uncles.  The Aunts and Uncles Club is a group of women and men who contribute a minimum of $1,000 annually to the Center. Guests enthusiastically filled out their new pledge cards during the presentation.

Nelda Linsk, one of the Tri-Founders of the Aunt Club said, “It was Helene Galen’s idea to form the Aunt Club.  Jill St. John was our first Aunt.  Some of the most famous celebrities from Hollywood, Golf, and Tennis are members, including Pat Boone, Kirk Douglas, Suzanne Somers, Quincy Jones, Joe Mantegna, Dick Van Dyke, Robert Wagoner, Charles Pasarell, Rita and Jerry Vale, Virginia and Bob Newhart, and Kathleen and Ken Venturi.”

Soprano Melissa Batalles performed a moving version of “Children Will Listen” while the Center’s work was projected on the big screens.

Event Sponsors included Rosemarie and Dean L. Buntrock, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, City National Bank, Dona R. Connelly, Covington Capital, Eisenhower Medical Center, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Flooring Innovations, Helene Galen, Christina Gantz, Angie Gerber, Hal and Diane Gershowitz, Vern Kozlen, Dale Landon and Carole Haes Landon,Connie and Bob Lurie, Harold Matzner, JoAnn McGrath, Bill Nicholson, Sally Phinny, RD & Joan Dale Hubbard Foundation, and Spencer’s Restaurant.

The Host Committee included Leisa Austin, Ursula Gari, Angie Gerber, Arthur Jacobson, Harold Matzner, Bill Nicholson, and Jane Saltonstall.

For more information about the Barbara Sinatra Center for Abused Children, please call 760-340-2336;  barbarasinatrachildrenscenter.org.