By Daily Press staff
Saint John’s Irene Dunne Guild, a longtime hospital support group, is hosting the 2004 Caritas Award Gala honoring Academy Award-winning actor Anthony Hopkins. The black-tie fundraiser will be held May 21 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, and is the kick-off event for the opening of Saint John’s new inpatient pavilion in the fall. Proceeds raised will benefit the emergency department at Saint John’s Health Center.
In addition, Saint John’s will present the first Spirit of Saint John’s award to Dr. Ruben F. Mettler, the retired chairman and CEO of TRW, Inc. Mettler is active on Saint John’s Foundation Board of Trustees.
The award gala is hosted each year by the Saint John’s Health Center Foundation and the Irene Dunne Guild, named after the late actress Irene Dunne, who is considered the “first lady” of Saint John’s, officials said.
With a membership of 90 women, the guild provides a variety of volunteer services and philanthropic support to Saint John’s, including the Angels of the ER program, which provides non-medical assistance to emergency room patients and their families. The program is staffed by guild members and community volunteers.
Gala tickets are $375 each, and sponsorships are available. For tickets and information, call Saint John’s foundation office at (310) 829-8424.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 10, 2004. Read the original PDF.