Socal / WCCP

Red Hot Sirens Benefit Chase Foundation
Monday, July 10, 2006 - Annette Dominguez, Socal.com Writer

sirens

Red Hot sirens band together to give a big hand for the little hands of the Chase Foundation. A glamorous casino setting allowed them to raise funds for a worthy cause.

The non-profit organization The Sirens Society deserves a big hand for creatively raising money to benefit all the “little hands” for the Chase Foundation at Los Angeles Children’s Hospital.

On June 10,2006 the party of choice was The Big Hand Casino Nite fundraiser, hosted by The Sirens Society and Chase Foundation founders Susan and Robin Richards, along with Patti and Jody Shapiro. The casino atmosphere was that of “old Hollywood” glamour, and could not have been more spectacular and inviting at the home of charming newlyweds, Scott and Carrie Chaplan (Carrie is a member of the Sirens Society).

The evening started off with the red-carpet arrivals of the red-hot Sirens, all appropriately dressed in red - and looking great after working up to the wire on last minute preparations! Following a Siren strut on the red-carpet is a difficult task for anyone, but not for the evenings celebrity hosts, Constance Ramos (Extreme Makeover: Home Edition) and luxury shoe designer Taryn Rose, both of whom arrived looking beautiful and ready to do their part for such a worthy cause. The dashing gentlemen arriving on the red carpet included: Russell Wong, Diego Serrano, Ryan Locke, Jason Dibler, Cameron Bender, Tim O’Hair (producer), Andrew Ruf and Matt Waldrum (composer), followed by lovely actress Marissa Jaret Winokur.

This magnificent mansion (former Barrymore residence) was transformed into a casino extravaganza, complete with black jack, poker, roulette, “mystic lounge” for psychic readings and sexy Siren dice girls selling cigars and raffle tickets. Guests eagerly played their best hand for a chance to win the grand prize – a trip for two on a private jet to Las Vegas!

The silent auction enticed all with over 100 hot items including a designer ensemble from internationally acclaimed fashion designer Flora Zeta (who just opened her first L.A. store in Santa Monica!), Artine menswear, Peepshows crystallized thong underwear basket with Just In Case, the hottest eyewear by SAMA, a pole dancing gift certificate from The S Factor, and a day of beauty at La Jolla Spa MD valued at $1200, just to name a few. (More items are listed below!)

Still thinking about pole dancing lessons? Well, guests didn’t need to go far to get a ten minute pole dancing lesson from two lovely ladies from The S Factor! Sirens and guests took a spin on the pole, all in good fun to raise money for the cause. Actor Cameron Bender even got a lesson. Oh, my! All I can say is, “Cam, you so rock…and, er, I hope you are all healed by now!”

All came out in great spirits to show their support and to help raise money for The Chase Foundation, which is dedicated to making Chase Child Life Services available at no cost to children and their families served by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The wonderful and giving child life specialists address the social, emotional and developmental needs of children dealing with stress of illness and hospitalization and provide opportunities for children of all ages to master the health care experience by preparing and supporting them through medical procedures and therapeutic play sessions that take place in the Chase Place playrooms. I had the opportunity to tour the facility and meet a few of the child life specialists. I have to say that they are truly an amazing group of giving and loving angels. The playrooms provide a sense of normalcy for the parents and siblings to interact the way they would in their own home or school environment, which is very important since many of the children are in the hospital receiving treatment for life threatening diseases.

The Chase Foundation sought out the women of The Sirens Society to organize this fundraiser. As described by the organization’s founder and president, Jodi Fung (King), “We are a unified voice of proactive women who positively influence our world through business and philanthropy.” Comprised of 100 entrepreneurial women based mostly in Los Angeles, this diverse group of innovative dynamos includes exceptional women from all walks of life. They are moms, designers, actresses, doctors, lawyers, publicists, producers, authors, artists, teachers, and so much more. Jodi adds; “We are an organization of busy women who create the time to make a positive impact on those less fortunate and less able.” Sirens are known for being passionate, innovative, creative and resourceful, and are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in and to make a difference in the world utilizing modern measures. One Siren stated, “We are not your grandmother’s philanthropy group.” And, as a Siren I can agree with that.

At the end of the night, smiling guests left with goodie bags in hand and happy to have done their part to help all the little hands for The Chase Foundation. And hey, they may have even learned a new skill or two thanks to The Sirens Society. One thing is for sure, Sirens certainly know how to put on a fabulous event and have a great time in the process. And all while doing their part to make the world a better place.

For more information on how you can help the Chase Foundation and Children’s Hospital please contact: www.childrenshospitalla.org

For more information on the Sirens Society please contact: www.sirenssociety.org

Photos by Lori Needleman www.lorineedleman.com

and Glen Lipton 310-285-4700

Photo #1
The Sirens Society

Photo #2
Chase Founders Susan and Robin Richards with Patti and Jody Shapario

Photo #3
Sirens Aliza Goldberger, Lily Cheung, Flora Zeta, Tatiana Turan, Mariko Ostboe, Annette Dominguez, Denise Young, Janeen Rae Heller and Diana Scheible

Photo #4
Constance Ramos, Taryn Rose and Jodi Fung (King)

Photo #5
Jason Dibler, Tim O’Hair, Andrew Ruf, Robert Girard, Diego Serrano and Ryan Locke

Phone #6
Jodi Fung (King) with Daphne Ortiz and Marissa Jaret Winokur

Photo #7
Cameron Bender and Annette Dominguez

Here's a list of some of the fabulous silent auction items
(most were by donated by Siren-owned companies)