The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Council of Los Angeles hosted their 3rd annual Camper by Camper gala acknowledging outstanding individuals for giving back to their communities and raised much need funds to send hundreds of at-risk youth to Circle V Ranch this summer to camp. Those receiving honors were: actress/ philanthropist, Pauley Perrette and Dr. Don Thomas. For more than 60 years, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Council of Los Angeles has sent tens of thousands of at-risk youth to its Circle V Ranch for the summer to Circle V Ranch in the Santa Barbara mountains to enjoy camp, make new friends, receive guidance, support, and experience solid programs, while having the time of their lives. Perrette is an active voice and volunteer in her community and received honors for her time to helping youth, families and the homeless in Los Angeles and is involved with many local charities including Project Angel Food, and the Hollywood United Methodist Church. She currently serves on the board of Project Angel Food. Dr. Don Thomas was honored for a lifetime of outstanding philanthropic work during his 40+ years as a physician holding various positions and actively providing care at Young and Healthy, a nonprofit organization 
providing free healthcare to medically uninsured children in the Pasadena area—he is also a co-founder of the organization.
Thomas also served as the founding physician for Union Station, a homeless shelter and rehabilitation Center in Pasadena.
The Camper by Camper Gala, awards ceremony and silent and live auction was held at the Four Seasons Los Angeles in Beverly Hills. Emmy-award winning broadcast journalist and anchor/reporter of KTLA-Los Angeles, Wendy Burch served as Mistress of Ceremonies and Diana Bianchini of Di Moda Public Relations was Event Chair. Guests included: Meredith Eaton, Tom Bergeron, Jennifer Gimenez, Mila Hermanovski, David Dean Bottrell, Christian Clemenson, and 
Executive Director of Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Los Angeles, David Fields. The event raised enough money to send more than 150 at risk youth to summer camp. Sponsors for this year’s fundraiser were Bank of America, CATZ Sports Performance Center, Watson Land Company, Deloitte LLP, Los Angeles World Airports Polenzani & Hyman Minges Families, Pic-a-Pak, and Bug Bam.
Circle V Ranch Camp is a program owned and operated by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Each summer eight one-week sessions are offered to build self esteem, learn teamwork and kids participate in fun activities like archery, swimming, nature hikes, arts & crafts, and just be a kid, free from the stress of his/her daily lives. For more than 100 years, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Council of Los Angeles has provided programs and services for children, the homeless and the poor within the counties of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara—all free of charge regardless of religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, handicap or national origin. Go to www.svdpla.org to learn more.
