Events Archive
Women’s Guild Goes “Country-Chic” to Honor Vera and Paul Guerin
It was a Western high-style evening at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on October 16, 2010, when Women’s Guild paid tribute to Vera and Paul Guerin at the Guild’s “A Touch of Country” gala. A real country spirit carried the night to a stirring performance by country music superstar Wynonna Judd, who brought the women of Women’s Guild and their families, friends, and supporters “down home” with her music.
Chaired by Brenda Fritz and Caryl Golden, the annual event honored former Women’s Guild President Vera Guerin and her husband, Paul, for their dedicated support of Cedars-Sinai and other important causes. Through their steadfast leadership and generous philanthropy, Vera and Paul have helped shape the future of lung cancer research and care by making a $5 million gift to help kick off the $20 million campaign to fund the Women’s Guild Lung Institute. They also endowed the Vera and Paul Guerin Chair in Pulmonary Disease Research. Vera is a member of the Cedars-Sinai Board of Directors, and Paul belongs to the Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors. Their other closely held causes are education, Israel, and Judaism.
“We are delighted that this evening has moved us closer to our $20 million goal,” said Women’s Guild President Lorette Gross, “and it gave us a treasured opportunity to recognize Vera and Paul, who truly represent the gold standard of generosity and compassion.”
An important part of the evening’s fundraising was an extensive online auction with donations from close to 200 companies and individuals — a first for Women’s Guild — and a live auction featuring vacation opportunities in Cabo San Lucas and Jackson Hole, an enticing three-holiday dinner package for 12 from Gelson’s, and unique and beautiful jewelry from XIV Karats and Martin Katz, all donated by Women’s Guild members.
“I am always awed, but never surprised, by the generosity of my fellow Women’s Guild members,” noted Lorette. “This event is yet one more example of their commitment to what we do.”