There’s a nice little mention in the Pasadena Star News about some of Jean’s charity work for the Hillsides Centre.

Hillsides, the 96-year-old, Pasadena-based center for abused and neglected children, broke all its past records for fund-raising, with net proceeds from its annual gala exceeding $375,000. The elegant black-tie bash held Feb. 28 at the California Club in downtown Los Angeles drew more than 300 guests. “You all are our economic stimulus package,” quipped KNBC-4 weatherman Fritz Coleman, who traditionally handles the live auction chores at this party.

Gala chairwoman Ellen Hatch took her theme, “Tangerine Dreams: A Jazzy Affair,” from Dave Brubeck’s interpretation of “Tangerine,” with the help of Pasadena florist Jacob Maarse, who carried out her motif with lush centerpieces of Tango roses and tangerines laced with kumquat branches. Even the menu had a touch of citrus: a baby lettuce salad of avocado and mandarin oranges; herb-crusted filet mignon accompanied by potato dauphine and a timbale of acorn squash followed by a trio of citrus gelati for dessert.

Along with the Maarse family, attendees included Bishop Jon Bruno and his wife Mary; Bishop Suffragan Chester Talton; the Rev. George Woodward III; Margaret Campbell; Debbe and Otis Booth; Susan and Bill Noce; Susan and Drew Pinsky; Eva M. Casner; Linda and Stephen Gill; Ann and O’Malley Miller; Paul Rusnak; Joan and John McCarthy; and Richard Gilliland and his wife, actress Jean Smart, who sold the necklace right off her back to “sweeten the pot” during the live auction. (Source)