Sixty years ago actresses Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson were on tour with the USO, and saw homeless children of American servicemen and Japanese women abandoned, shivering and hungry.
O’Meara and Fedderson's efforts resulted in five international orphanages, a hospital and a school, and eventually a home for severely abused children opened in Beaumont in 1978. Now known as Childhelp Merv Griffin Village, this non-profit residential facility can accommodate 85 children between the ages of 6 and 14.
Some children come and go, and approximately 120 children are housed each year. The Village takes in the most severely abused children who have no place else to turn. Six of these children sang for the 140 golfers and guests at the Childhelp Pairings Party underwritten by Toscana Country Club last month.
The 25 member Indian Wells Chapter of Childhelp, which services the Coachella Valley, chaired the event. Member Sandie Newton introduced chapter president Pam Thurston, who welcomed everyone and introduced host John O’Hurley.
O’Hurley spoke about “rediscovering life through the eyes of these children who deserve a second chance, apart from abuse,” and added, “These children will remember singing for you for the rest of their lives.”
Childhelp founders O’Meara and Fedderson emphasized that the Beaumont residence is the last chance for these children before being placed in lockdown in psychiatric hospitals.
They thanked national board member Bill Eckholm for serving as Honorary Golf Chairman, national board member Dru Hammer for her generous donations, Larry Ellison in absentia for letting the group play the links at Porcupine Creek, and Prue Marshburn for hosting the Porcupine Creek breakfast. Between golf entries, silent auction and donations, the weekend netted $200,000 for the organization.
Childhelp
480-922-8212
www.childhelp.org
Photography by Sherri Breyer