Olive Crest`s Generous Supporters Raise $300,000 at "Harvesting Hope for the Olive Crest Kids" Wine Event

Funds Raised Benefit Olive Crest Programs That Equip Young Adults with Practical
Life Skills So They Can Lead Healthy and Productive Independent Lives

The Evening`s Notable Participants Included Event Chair Debbie Ferrée, Vice
Chairman and Chief Merchandising Officer of DSW Inc., Mike Donnelly, President
of Ralphs, Alan Hoops,Chairman and CEO of CareMore Health Group, Dr. Tom
Paulsen, Medical Director and Chris Wing, COO of Health Care Partners and Olive
Crest Board Members and Trustees
SANTA ANA, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Surrounded by stellar California wines and a cornucopia of luxury auction items,
more than 250 of Orange County`s most notable and generous citizens celebrated
Olive Crest`s popular springtime fundraising event, "Harvesting Hope for the
Olive Crest Kids"-raising over $300,000 during the course of the festivities.
The funds will benefit Olive Crest`s Transitional Age Youth Programs, which help
equip young adults ages 16-24 with practical and vital life skills so they can
lead healthy and productive independent lives. Neither program receives any
government monies.

Held at the legendary Balboa Bay Club on Saturday evening, March 28, Harvesting
Hope for the Olive Crest Kids featured a grand ballroom wine tasting that
spotlighted some of the finest vineyards in the wine industry, as well as a
wine-themed silent auction. Guests also enjoyed culinary adventures and live
music by smooth jazz saxophonist Shannon Kennedy. Under the direction of Dan Vu,
the Orange Lutheran High School Jazz Ensemble-featuring musicians who are all
Olive Crest alumnae-performed a medley of songs to accompany a dramatic
presentation directed by Linda Paskiewicz.

"This was an amazing evening that combined great fun with a truly great cause,"
said Event Chair Debbie Ferrée, Vice Chairman and Chief Merchandising Officer of
DSW Inc. and a member of Olive Crest`s Board of Trustees. "We`re thrilled to
have raised so much money to help the kids of Olive Crest create healthy,
productive new lives."

Two auctions were among the highlights of the evening: A silent auction focused
exclusively on fine wines from such acclaimed wineries as Beringer, Blackstone,
Charles Krug, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Clos du Bois, Coppola, Ferrari Carano,
Gallo, Hope, J. Lohr, Kendall Jackson, Kenwood, Loire Valley Sauvion, Michel
Schlumberger, Mollydooker, South Coast Winery, Sutter Home, Twin Vines,
Willamette Valley Vineyards and Yellow Tail.

A spectacular live auction featured a stunning array of luxury items generously
donated by event sponsors. These included such sought-after items as a
basketball signed by all team members of the Los Angeles Lakers, which was
bought by Wesley Davis of Corona del Mar for $1,300 and an oil painting created
by Olive Crest alumna Alice Lee, 18, who attends Laguna College of Art and
Design. The painting was won by high bidder Bruce Kellar of Villa Park for $550.
Other auction items included a Mollydooker Wine tasting party for 60 people that
went for $7,000; a day flight for two to San Barbara for $1,400; and two
overnight stays for six, including spa services and chef's dinner at The South
Coast Winery Resort & Spa in Temecula, which sold for $2,200 a piece.

"We`re so grateful to our tremendous donors, who provided such fantastic items
for our live and silent auctions," said Steve Bernardy, who serves as President
of the Orange County Trustees. "The bidding was intense and exciting, and this
was one time when truly everyone came away a winner!"

Young adults from Olive Crest appeared in a dramatic on-stage presentation
during the evening`s Fund-a-Need program. Auctioneer Mike Drilling took pledges
from the audience to underwrite specific costs of the Transitional Age Youth
Programs-these donations were then matched by Ralphs and the Marion Knott
Foundation. Altogether, the Fund-a-Need program raised over $100,000 during the
evening.

Some of Southern California`s most prominent business and individuals sponsored
Harvesting Hope, including: Ralphs, Benefit Partners, Brion Jeannette
Architecture, CareMore, Citizens Business Bank, Costello & Sons Insurance, the
Daily Pilot, Scott Darling, Esq., DSW Shoes, Frome Family Foundation, HealthCare
Partners, Majestic Fine Wines, Mike and Lynda Hearn, Cindi and Norm Morales,
Oltmans Construction Company, Regal Wine Company, Southern Wine & Spirits of
California, Union Bank of California, and Walsworth Franklin Bevins & McCall,
LLP.

"Ralphs is a proud partner of Olive Crest," said Ralphs President, Mike
Donnelly. "Saturday's event is one of many ways we work to support the
extraordinary work they do on behalf of abused and neglected children. Together,
Ralphs and Olive Crest hope to make a difference in our communities."

"We thank all of our extraordinary sponsors and all of the wonderful guests who
made this evening possible," said Olive Crest CEO Donald Verleur. "Everyone had
a marvelous time-and it was made all the more special knowing that this was all
for the benefit of people who both deserve and reward our efforts: the children
of Olive Crest."

About Olive Crest Homes & Services for Abused Children

Celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2008, Olive Crest Homes & Services for
Abused Children has been a leader in providing care for abused, abandoned and
severely neglected children. Olive Crest is dedicated to Preventing child abuse,
to Treating and Educating at-risk children andto Preserving the family… "One
Life at a Time." ®

Olive Crest continues to promote the safety and wellness of children and
families through innovative programs including specialized education, foster and
adoption, family preservation, and residential homes. Olive Crest`s outreach
serves California, Nevada, and the Pacific Northwest. For information call
1-800-550-CHILD (2445) or visit www.olivecrest.org.

For Olive Crest Homes & Services for Abused Children
Alison Hill, 714-444-9731, ext. 201, alison@currentpr.com
Jim DeNuccio, 714-444-9731, ext. 202, jim@currentpr.com
Marisa Aguilar, 909-851-0613, marisa@currentpr.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009