Dishes for Wishes Raises More than $56,000 for LLU Children’s Hospital

The 2015 installment of Dishes for Wishes, the culinary fundraiser hosted for 16 years by the Big Hearts for Little Hearts Loma Linda Guild, raised more than $56,000 to purchase special equipment for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH). The event was held Wednesday, Oct. 21, in the Renaissance Room at the National Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino. According to Josh Zahid, guild manager, more than 370 guests attended the event. Zahid noted that people loved the food and enjoyed supporting the members of local law enforcement agencies who served as waiters. After a welcome from Guild President Dixie Watkins and an invocation by Jillian Payne, executive director of the LLUCH Foundation, members of the audience received an up-to-the-minute update from Rachelle Bussell, CFRE, senior vice president for advancement, and Kerry Heinrich, CEO of LLUCH, on several projects and programs currently underway at Children’s Hospital. Douglas Deming, MD, chief of neonatology at LLUCH, delivered the keynote presentation of the evening. In his remarks, Deming made it clear that he loves taking care of babies and that he is very grateful to the guild for its support. “Historically, the guild has given a lot of gifts to the NICU, it goes back for years,” he said. “I know that last year they gave mobiles to give the babies something to focus on and baby sitting chairs, to enable nurses and parents to cuddle the babies.” Deming recalled the joyful scene that ensued when guild members brought the gifts to the unit wrapped in Christmas paper during the chief’s rounds. “Since the babies couldn’t unwrap them, we got to do it,” he noted. “Guild members are a wonderful group of people; so gracious with their time and money.” But it was bright-eyed, one-and-a-half-year-old Jayden Wiggins who positively stole the show. While his mother, Sophia, told the story of how Jayden and his twin brother, Jordan, came into the world during their 26th week of gestation, the lively little boy captivated the audience with his incessant charm. Weighing in at a meager 2 pounds, 1.9 ounces at birth, Jayden faced daunting odds that gave him a mere 25 percent chance of survival. Tragically, his brother did not survive, but thanks to the dedicated care and lifesaving technology of the NICU, Jayden was able to transfer out of the unit 81 days later and has been living happily and healthily ever since. Jayden would have been a hard act for all but the most seasoned entertainers to follow, but not for Martha Green. The legendary Redlands celebrity chef, restaurateur and radio host took the stage with aplomb and never looked back. Sharing tidbits from her love life—72-year-old Green joined a dating service following her husband’s passing two years ago and admitted she has “kissed all the frogs in the Inland Empire” since then—she eventually transitioned to the official topic of the evening: food. As she talked, the animated hostess mixed the ingredients for Steamed Pumpkin Pudding with Warm Maple Pouring Sauce in a large bowl. As she spoke, officers from local police, sheriff and firefighting agencies began serving the delicious concoction to attendees. The officers playfully flirted with attendees who stuffed dollar bills—sometimes folded into fancy patterns—into their belts and pockets. Green reminded guests that every dollar given to the wait staff helps the guild purchase needed equipment for the NICU. Attendees feasted on all kinds of delectable edibles. Najwa Medina, owner of Najwa’s Mediterranean Cuisine in Loma Linda, set out portions of her Lentil Soup and Quinoa Tabbouleh. Sabine Belhacene, owner and chef at Chez Sabine in Redlands, offered Zucchini-Spinach Quiche. David Saverino who, with his wife Veronica, owns Saverino’s Italian Deli & Market in Redlands, brought Italian Caprese Skewers and Basil Pesto. Justine Campbell, RD, NTP, owner of Alō Wellness, also of Redlands, also came to the stage to discuss how to make her Fresh Green Bean Casserole, she won accolades for demonstrating that a commitment to good health and nutrition need not mean that food has to taste boring. Dennis Avants, co-owner with his wife, Teresa, of Tess’ Place in Loma Linda, brought out his Butternut Squash Lasagne and emphasized the importance of boiling the pasta sheets that form the foundation for the dish until they are just al dente. For the final culinary presentation of the evening, Michael Montaño, co-owner of Mitla Café of San Bernardino, served up the Green Chile and Cheese Tamales that Green says have been a staple of Inland Empire cuisine since 1937. Montaño noted that normally, he makes tamales with lard, but in honor of the longstanding Loma Linda tradition of plant-based nutrition, he used vegetable shortening for the event. He also said he is happy to prepare the tasty dish with vegetable shortening for customers in the restaurant upon request. As the evening came to an end, Dixie Watkins, co-founder and current president of the guild, and Eloise Habekost, co-founder and former president, came up to the stage to present Green, Penny Moores, guild treasurer, and Angie Temple, coordinator for the event, with gifts and hugs and accolades for the success of the festive evening. Looking back, Watkins is very pleased with the way the event turned out. “The Big Hearts for Little Hearts Loma Linda Guid was delighted, once again, with the amazing support from all involved,” she observed. “Our own Martha Green, the talented chefs, generous attendees and servers, gracious members of the Children’s Hospital administration, vendors, and most of all, Angie Temple, Penny Moores, and the guild board, really came together to make this a grand success. Thanks to the generosity of everyone who attended and supported this event, we were enabled to purchase all the items we had hoped and planned to buy for the NICU. All in all, it was a wonderful evening!”