Dec 3, 2006

PACE rocks with its 5th annual gala

By Janet Duca Norton

The Pacific Autism Center for Education (PACE) presented its 5th annual dinner auction gala, "Shake, Rattle & Roll," on Nov. 11 at the Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel in Palo Alto. About 350 guests, many wearing fun '50s costumes, turned out for the rock 'n' roll-themed fundraiser.

"Proceeds from our annul gala and auction allow us to provide the highest quality programs for our clients. So it was very gratifying to have such a tremendous turnout and spirited bidding at this event," co-chairs Katie Miller and Sheila Dermer said.

The evening netted $140,000 for PACE programs, from preschool intervention and a special education school to adult day and residential care. This year's Fund-a-Need auction item raised a record-setting $40,000 to be used for the expansion of the adult day program, which includes vocational training.

Successful treatment of autism, which now affects 1 in 166 California children, requires one-on-one instruction with progress measured a step at a time. PACE is at the center of innovation in this field. James and Caryn Chung were celebrating their son's mainstreaming into kindergarten with his teacher Desiree Priest.

Costumed guests included education director Marcia Goldman and her husband John and new board member Yvonne Linney.

Celebrity emcee Raj Mathai, sports director for NBC 11, reprised host duties and enjoyed announcing that Ronald Burton was the winner of the Caribbean Cruise raffle prize.
A dinner with PACE's executive director Kurt Ohlfs surprised everyone as the most competitively bid-on item, and Penny and Pat Barrett made the winning bid.

Dancing to Mike Hadley & the Groove's' renditions of "Rock Around the Clock" and "Great Balls of Fire" were Jan and Beverly Aarts, Myla and Francis La Poll, Mike and Myra Gilfix, and David Drummond and Marimo Berk.