By Daily Press staff
Red cross volunteers will be honored for their service at an upcoming awards banquet.
The Santa Monica Red Cross 2006 Spirit Awards promises to be a night of good food, entertainment and inspiring moments, organizers said.
The American Red Cross of Santa Monica’s 2006 Spirit Awards will honor a commitment to service on behalf of the American Red Cross. This year’s honorees include Kitty Dukakis for her international humanitarian work and efforts with youth and youth empowerment.
A posthumous Spirit Award will go to Santa Monica Red Cross volunteer, Santa Monica police officer and USMC reservist Major Ricardo Antonio “Rick” Crocker, who was killed in action in Al-Anbar province, Iraq last May.
Approximately 20 members of Rick’s USMC unit based at Camp Pendleton, along with a number of Santa Monica police officers, will attend the event.
Santa Monica companies, Lion’s Gate Entertainment and Activision Inc. also will receive Spirit Awards for their philanthropic support of the chapter and hurricane disaster relief efforts.
Hundreds of items ranging from apparel to trips will be up for bid. Collectibles, artwork, meals, free tickets to Southern California attractions, merchandise, international travel and vacations, sports and entertainment memorabilia and the guitar of Flea, a Red Hot Chili Pepper band member, can be had for the right bid.
Pre-dinner music will be provided by jazz singer and pianist Walter Barrilueaux. He was displaced from his home in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and came to the Santa Monica Red Cross for services. He is now living and performing in the Santa Monica area.
The dinner and the show begin at 7:30 p.m. Comedian Orson Bean and his wife, actress Alley Mills, are master and mistress of ceremonies.
Attendees will preview exclusive clips from a documentary filmed in Santa Monica and throughout the South about local volunteers who worked on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita disaster relief efforts. Hosting the presentation is actor, writer, producer and director Charles Haid. Music for after-dinner dancing will be provided by the Tom Nolan Band.
The gala event will be held on Feb. 11, at the Fairmont-Miramar Hotel, located at 101 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica. Tickets are now on sale at $150 each with a table of 10 selling for $1,500. The reception and silent auction will begin at 6 p.m.
For tickets and information, call The American Red Cross of Santa Monica at (310) 394-3773 during normal business hours.
All proceeds from the 2006 Spirit Awards will benefit the American Red Cross of Santa Monica, which is a publicly supported, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides health and safety education, youth services, CPR and first aid training, disaster awareness and disaster relief efforts. SMC teachers highlight their work
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 8, 2006. Read the original PDF.