Economy doesn't hinder benefit event

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers BLING IS THE THING—Thousand Oaks resident Jan Smyth looks at jeweled purses in the shopper's boutique during the Westlake Women's Club 2008 Holiday Fantasy silent auction and luncheon at the North Ranch Country Club on Nov. 7. Women came armed with cash to fight for local charities and they surprised organizers with their generosity when they purchased holiday gifts at the recent Westlake Women's Club Holiday Fantasy Tea and Luncheon.

Before the event, club members expressed concern the economy might adversely affect attendance and spending at the charity event, which would also hurt local charities that benefit from the fundraiser, but it turned out well.

"The Holiday Fantasy was a tremendous success. We were at capacity with more than 300 attending," said Kay Baumbach, past president.

Those who paid $65 each to attend found a hallway lined with tables. They were filled with large gift baskets, packed with donated gifts from local businesses. There were baskets offering dinners for two, bottles of wine, a holiday tea party or children's books and games. Other enticements included Mammoth Mountain vacations, holiday centerpieces, dishes, golf packages and a girl's night out, complete with a visit to a salon for a hair do, makeup, facial and brow wax.

Baumbach was pleased to see those bidding on the baskets in the silent auction often put a higher first bid than the minimum, and ended with more than the retail value of the item.

When it was over, ladies also left with silent auction items that included a spa day for a car, a couple's massage and an electric guitar. All the auction items for the Nov. 7 event were organized by club member Elaine Dolis-Munoz.

"Local businesses were very generous. We have about 95 items in the silent auction this year," Dolis-Munoz said.

There was also a boutique that included clothes, jewelry and crystal-covered handbags at the event, which was held at North Ranch Country Club, 4761 Valley Spring Drive, Westlake Village, where 20 percent of sales went to the Women's Club.

On one rack there were designer dresses originally valued at about $3,000 for sale for $300. There were also money wreath opportunities at $300 and $100 values that could be won in raffletype drawings.

Celebrity Lori Loughlin from the TV show "90210," in which she plays the character Debbie Wilson, was in attendance and visited with other women as they shopped together. Many remembered her as Rebecca on the TV show "Full House" from 1987 to 1995.

Attendees were served a buffet lunch.

The money raised went to local charities that include Conejo Valley Neighborhood for Learning, Many Mansions Stoll House, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children-Ventura County, Painted Turtle Camp in HughesElizabeth Lakes, the Veterans Administration, Hospice of the Conejo, Ventura County Search and Rescue and National Disaster Search Dogs Foundation.

Money was also donated to area scholarships, libraries and literacy programs.

The club's annual Fashions on Parade fundraiser with The Oaks mall is scheduled for March 27 at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza, 880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village