This year’s co-chairs for the Methodist Hospital Foundation‘s annual Crystal Ball fundraiser, cardilogist Dr. K. Heiner Vogelbach, and Christine Antonovich, have set lofty goals of attracting 1,000 attendees and a half-million dollars in net proceeds.
L-r: Crystal Ball honorees John and Jane Wuo and co-chairs Dr. K. Heiner Vogelbach and Christine Antonovich
The 24th annual event on Oct. 19 at the Pasadena Convention Center features entertainment by legendary Motown Grammy-winning singer Smokey Robinson and a tribute to this year’s honorees John and Jane Wuo. Crystal Ball festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a hosted reception and silent auction, followed by dinner, and then the live auction and concert. For ticket information, contact Methodist Hospital Foundation at 626-898-8888 or email: crystalball@methodisthospital.org.
Dr. K. Heiner Vogelbach said Monday that 820 tickets have already been sold and with eight major sponsors already on board at about $30,000 each (see below), both goals are within reach. Tens of thousands of dollars are typically bid during a live auction among high-rollers at the event, and a silent auction will be filled with more prizes than ever, many special prizes attained by longtime Foundation suport Arcadia Mayor Mickey Segal. Last year’s event co-chaired by Wuo and Peggy Cherng, netted $475,000 and was enjoyed by 900 guests. The prior year in 2011 set a high mark of about $520,000.
Proceeds from this year’s event will be used for cardiac care at the hospital, including full renovation of the Catheterization Laboratory #2 and replacing current equipment with updated imaging systems, ensuring physicians and technologists experience easy integration while seamlessly increasing the quantity and quality of procedures performed, Vogelbach said, noting that, “Without philanthropy, we wouldn’t be able to offer some of the services that we provide.”
Crystal Ball co-chairs Christine Antonovich and Dr. K. Heiner Vogelbach
Born in Germany, Dr. Vogelbach earned his medical degree at the University of Munich before immigrating to the U.S. He has been medical director of cardiology at Methodist Hospital since 1997 and also serves as a member of the Foundation board of directors. He co-chairs the Cardiac Council and has served on the Crystal Ball Committee and participated in numerous fundraising initiatives, including the physician campaign that supported The Next Generation of Care. He and his wife, Jana, are members of the foundation’s Rose Society.
Antonovich balances her life with husband, longtime Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich, and her support for Methodist Hospital. That support includes many years helping with Crystal Ball, either as co-chair, planner, supporter or attendee. Raised in Dalian, China, Antonovich has appeared on stage and in films, performing in numerous popular television series and earning the Chinese equivalent of an Academy Award. After launching a successful business in Hong Kong, she immigrated to the U.S., where she met her husband and became mother to three children. Along the way she became an earnest supporter of Methodist Hospital, serving on the Foundation board and the Crystal Ball committee. “Crystal Ball is an elite event and so very important to the success of the hospital and the community,” she said in a statement.
Crystal Ball honorees Jane and John Wuo
About Honorees John and Jane Wuo Arcadia Mayor Pro Tem Wuo, who also co-chaired Crystal Ball in 2008, came to the U.S. 47 years ago to undergo open-heart surgery as a young man. He remained in the U.S., earning an engineering degree from the University of Redlands and reconnected with childhood friend, Jane, who was attending graduate school. They married and settled in Arcadia, where John has served three terms as mayor and is set for his fourth term next year. He first joined the Methodist Hospital Foundation board of directors in 2004, becoming chairman in 2010. He also has served on the hospital’s Cardiac Council, supported The Next Generation of Care campaign that established the new North Tower and its state-of-the-art Hollfelder Emergency Care Center, and has been a member of several Foundation committees.
“It was a shock when they told us we were going to be this year’s Crystal Ball honorees,” said John Wuo. “I feel very strongly about Methodist Hospital, and this is certainly a great honor. What’s most important is that we do great service for the community. One way we do that is by providing the best equipment, and this year the Crystal Ball will help us achieve that. Methodist Hospital is a not-for-profit hospital, and it’s important not only for us to get community support but to be able to thank our supporters for the many years they have been a part of the hospital family.”
Also active in various activities, Jane studied accounting and became well established in the banking industry before opening a pre-school. She also has served on the Arcadia Chinese Association board of directors while supporting John’s numerous political, civic and other interests.
About Smokey Robinson As one of Motown Records biggest stars and in-house songwriters, few artists have done as much to create the template for modern pop music. Smokey delivered a string of hits with his band, The Miracles, and wrote for many other Motown stars, including the Temptations, Marvin Gaye and the Four Tops. Now, over 55 years after he first sang for the label, Smokey Robinson continues to bring a generation of Motown classics to his fans.
About Crystal Ball More than two decades ago, an elegant affaire designed to recognize hospital donors was held on the roof of the north parking structure at Methodist Hospital. With its popularity increasing each year, the Crystal Ball, now a fundraising event, has become “the” social event of the San Gabriel Valley. Throughout its 23-year history, it has generated about $5.3 million dollars in support of such programs as stroke, emergency services, maternal child health center, advanced technology and innovative treatments for patients and The Next Generation of Care Campus Transformation at Methodist Hospital.
2013 Crystal Ball sponsors…
Grand Sponsor
The Honorable Mike & Christine Antonovich, Angela Y. Fu, Cole & Cindy Harris Cherng Family Trust Golden Orchid Cole and Cindy Harris Chang-Huan (C.H.) and Haily Hsueh & Oceanland Service Inc. Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. Mickey and Lee Segal & Alan and Sandy Whitman Andy Zhang
Crystal Sponsor Edison International Claudia Tiu – Independent Acute Dialysis Services, Inc.
Platinum Sponsor Davita HCP – Northern Region EDI Media Inc. – Asian American Cultural & Artistic Foundation Bill and Sumi Hughes Aner and Rebecca Iglesias Keenan HaealthCare Minas and Sonia Maljian Methodist Hospital Medical Staff Pacific Western Bank Sodexo Healthcare The Sugimoto Family Foundation
Gold Sponsor Michael S. Agron, MD Allied Physicians of California IPA Arcadia Hospitalist Medical Group Arcadia Radiology Medical Group Peter and Jill Boli & Dick and Sue Hale BYD California Business Bureau, Inc. Care Ambulance Service, Inc. – Toby Reclusado Citizens Business Bank Christiane A. Cook DaVila Family Dexter Real Estate Development Corp. East West Bank Farmers Insurance Group Fonda & Fraser, LLP GK & Associates & Murli and Mona Tolaney Don and Julie Hopf Huntington Drive Healthcare Center Xiaohiu Leng Shelley Liu – Farmers Insurance Mission Care Center Mike and Patty Nijjar Owens & Minor Elizabeth and Peter Popoff RehabCare and Kindred Healthcare Melinda L. Rogers and William Rogers RSI / Medic 1 Ambulance Joseph Scardino The Roger and Lilah Stangeland Foundation Helen Su – Spring Arts Tower, Inc. Dr. and Mrs. Richard Sun & Dr. and Mrs. George Sun VIDA Enterprise Corp. Susan Woo Robert and Denise Zeilstra
Entertainment Kathleen M. Ellison
Tribute Book Ron Okum Family
Centerpiece Dr. and Mrs. Russell and Maureen Rohde Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary
Decor Makeitright Nursefinders an AMN Healthcare Company Ron Okum Family Solutions & More Roger and Jayne Sullivan
Wine Wine of the Month Club
2013 Crystal Ball Committee Co-Chairs: Christine Antonovich, Dr. K. Heiner Vogelbach
Committee Members Dennis Alfieri Vivian Chan Angel Chen Linda Chen Shawn Chou Angela Y. Fu Evelyn Greathouse Dick Hale Sue Hale Cindy Harris Chang Huan (C.H.) Hsueh Luyi Khasi Ulanda Lee Dr. James Y. Lin Shelley Liu Lindburgh McPherson Mickey Segal Ivy Sun Dr. Richard Sun Elaine Chao Thomas Stephen Thomas Angel Throop Dorenda Wong Sophia Wen Susan Woo Andy Zhang
By Scott Hettrick