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___________Zagat Accoladed....&.... "Culinary Genius!" says The Social Diary's Scott Johnston____________

~ The Social Diary ~

Donnie Edwards Serves Up Celebrity 'Charged' Benefit for Kids!

December 19th, 2006
The Social Diary Columnist & Photographer Margo Schwab

It was easy fundraising math December 4th, 2006. Add together the leadership of Donnie Edwards, plus the enthusiasm of more big sports players playing 'one night only waiters,' plus the incredible cuisine of Jeffrey Strauss, plus a very supportive and generous crowd, and you have over $300,000 raised for Donnie Edward's Jump For Life Foundation benefiting kids.

Donnie Edwards and guest.

Donnie, who is known as the Charger's top defensive linebacker, takes an offensive line drive stance when it comes to kids. For this it takes team play though. And Donnie has his wife Kathryn right by his side... as well as quite a few charismatic Charger players and one big name baseball player, Trevor Hoffman.

Guests at the tented VIP reception enjoyed tasty appetizers like mini-Kobe beef burgers by the host, Pamplemousse Grille, collected autographs, bid on incredible wine, dining, and sports prizes, and in general had a great time meeting sports legends.

Tempting auction items.

Among the star football players were LaDainian Tomlinson (followed by Nick, his protective muscle), quarterback Philip Rivers, big guy, 300 pounds plus Igor Olshansky, Luis Castillo, Matt Wilhelm, Terrell Davis, Jacques Cesaire, Marques Harris, Darren Sproles, Tim Dobbins, Randall Godfrey, Eric Parker, Robert Griffith, Quentin Jammer, and Shaun Phillips.

Shaun Phillips said waiting on diners wouldn't be too big a stretch. Years back, after a college degree in management, Shaun managed a country club dining room. He was expecting big tips for his service that night. And he and the other players got them.... thousands I'm told.

All tips of course go to the Jump For Life Foundation.

Among the many there for auction fun, followed by dinner served by the players later were Marc Chase of Symbolic Motor Car Company, Michael Murphy with his daughter Meghan Murphy, Debby and Hal Jacobs of Qualcomm, Julie Sarno, nightclub owners Melissa and Mike Viscuso, Kelly and Vahid Moradi, Hank Bauer as live auctioneer, Willie Buchanon and Billy Ray Smith as emcee, and Charger's owner, Susie Spanos.

Susie Spanos had this to say, " I am so proud of Donnie and Kathryn, that they are making a difference in so many kids' lives. It's heart warming."

Heart warming and results accomplished. On the Jump For Life Foundation site, the emphasis is to: Be strong, Eat Healthy and for your future, "don't talk about it, be about it."

And that's what this special fundraiser is about. Motivating children to be their best! Donnie Edwards said it succinctly. "This event means a lot to me because I’m really passionate about the Jump for Life program that it benefits. I was looking around at the youth and started thinking about the future.  It bothers me that so many young people are out of shape and living unhealthily.  It comes down to education.  Schools are cutting out physical education and recess, so we got the ball rolling on this program to teach kids about nutrition and physical fitness.”

To learn more about how you can be involved, please click Jump For Life Foundation.

.... and remember "Go Chargers!"

The Charger Girls!

Donnie Edwards serving up smiles for kids' futures!

Terrell Davis ** Guests

Julie Sarno ** Guest

Matt Wilhelm

Hal and Debby Jacobs

Philip Rivers signing a football for Debby and Hal Jacobs ** Scott Johnston with Philip Rivers

Melissa and Mike Viscuso ** Matt Wilhelm with Philip Rivers

Jacques Cesaire

LaDainian Tomlinson ** LaDainian posing with guests

LaDainian Tomlinson ** Shaun Phillips

Shaun Phillips with Scott Johnston

Terrell Davis

Michael Murphy and his daughter Meghan Murphy ** Guest with Robert Griffith

Darren Sproles with Scott Johnston ** Mike Viscuso, Darren Sproles, Tim Dobbins, Marques Harris, and Melissa Viscuso

Marc Chase getting an autograph from LaDainian Tomlinson

LaDainian Tomlinson with Scott Johnston ** LaDainian Tomlinson with guests

Igor Olshansky

Eric Parker ** Kelly and Vahid Moradi with Igor Olshansky

Igor Olshansky with Scott Johnston ** Pamplemousse Grille owner/chef and host for this evening's event, Jeffrey Strauss

Jeffrey Strauss ** Luis Castillo

Luis Castillo with Susie Spanos ** Luis Castillo with Scott Johnston

Guests ** Guests with La Torsha Tomlinson

Guests ** Marc Chase and Donnie Edwards with guests

Donnie Edwards with guests ** Donnie Edwards with Scott Johnston

Lorenzo Neal with La Torsha Tomlinson** Lorenzo Neal with La Torsha and LaDainian Tomlinson

Lorenzo Neal with La Torsha and LaDainian Tomlinson ** David Binn and guest

Hal Jacobs with David Binn ** Debby Jacobs and friend with Lorenzo Neal

Lorenzo Neal with Scott Johnston ** David Binn with Debby and Hal Jacobs

Randall Godfrey ** Stacy and Trevor Hoffman

Trevor Hoffman with guests ** Hal Jacobs, Trevor Hoffman, Debby Jacobs

Scott Johnston with Trevor Hoffman ** Pete Shaw with the incredible singing troop

Billy Ray Smith and Jeffrey Strauss hanging with their 'buddy' ** Billy Ray Smith and Jeffrey Strauss

Guest

* Margo Schwab has produced, written, interviewed and photographed for various media organizations since 1989. Schwab has a college degree from Scripps College and a Masters of Business degree from the University of San Diego. Schwab volunteers for numerous charity organizations. She also continues to lobby for water safety and for family violence mitigation. Schwab is the owner and publisher of The Social Diary.

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