Five members of the Los Angeles Catholic community --- all of them products of Catholic schools, who have served their church and community for many years --- will be honored at the 2009 Cardinal's Award Dinner Feb. 7 at the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood and Highland in Hollywood.

This year's honorees are Kathleen Hannon Aikenhead, Christopher Alders, Dr. Leo Lagasse, Virginia Schneider and Vin Scully. The 2009 honorees bring to 99 the number of men and women honored with the award since 1990.

This year's proceeds will benefit early childhood education at Blessed Sacrament Church in Hollywood. Since 1990, nearly $7 million raised from the Cardinal's Award Dinner has supported more than 70 programs, agencies and relief efforts in all pastoral regions of the archdiocese. In recent years, archdiocesan and lay leaders involved with the annual dinner have focused on raising funds for early childhood education at low-income parishes.

The Awards dinner --- at the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood and Highland (home of the Kodak Theater) in Hollywood --- begins with a 6 p.m. reception. For reservations, call Judy DeRosa Brooks, coordinator, at (213) 637-7636.

KATHLEEN HANNON AIKENHEAD
Even if she wanted to --- and she doesn't --- Kathy Aikenhead could never stray too far from the watchful eye of her late, legendary Uncle Bill.

That's because, in the meeting room of the William Hannon Foundation office in Santa Monica, is a bronze bust of the organization's founder. "My uncle," says his energetic niece with a smile, "is always keeping tabs on what we're doing."

Chances are, Uncle Bill would be quite pleased with the work that Kathy, in her 15th year as Hannon Foundation president, and the rest of the board of directors have done in serving the local community.

Beginning as foundation secretary in 1983, she has found enormous joy in continuing the work of her uncle --- like her, a Cardinal's Award recipient (1994).

"It really is my life now, the foundation," she says proudly. "Because not many people have this opportunity to help so many thousands of people through scholarships and tuition."

The foundation also oversees an annual Father Serra Essay Contest in the Catholic schools. And while 60 to 70 percent of its 300 annual grants are made to Catholic groups, a number of Jewish and Protestant groups, plus other service organizations and institutions (like the Skirball Museum), are recipients as well.

Kathy --- the oldest of May and Andrew Hannon's four children --- was among the first to attend St. Martin of Tours School in Brentwood, and then graduated from Marymount High in Westwood. At one time interested in organic chemistry, she switched her major to education at Bucknell, and worked as a third grade teacher in Pittsburgh, while her new husband David attended law school. For many years parishioners of Corpus Christi (Pacific Palisades), Kathy and David have three grown children.

On her parents' influence:
"Mom and Dad shaped me. They gave us a religious background, the faith we have. They set a great example, and it was a wonderful family to be raised in."
On her uncle Bill Hannon's legacy as a patron of Catholic education and his earnest desire to support people and institutions in need:
"He wanted to give to organizations he was fond of and believed in, mostly Catholic groups. And he tried to incorporate his faith and beliefs into his work."
On her work for the Hannon Foundation:
"It is the most gratifying kind of work, because I can see and respond to so many opportunities to help people. If not for the Foundation, I'd never have gone to so many schools throughout the Los Angeles region, to see what great work is being done in those schools, and needs to be done. People don't realize the need until they visit these places. Without the many people who care for these children and provide assistance, they and their families wouldn't have the option to attend our Catholic schools."

CHRISTOPHER ALDERS
It only makes sense that someone who entered the Catholic Church through, in large part, his experience in Catholic school would someday become one of Catholic education's biggest boosters.

So it is with Chris Alders, graduate of St. Martin of Tours Elementary (Brentwood) and Notre Dame High (Sherman Oaks), and an active supporter of Catholic education efforts, especially at Dolores Mission and St. Thomas the Apostle Schools. Over the past 20 years, this Holy Family Church (South Pasadena) parishioner has helped lead fundraising efforts to provide educational opportunities at some of the archdiocese's most in-need facilities.

Chris' entry into the Church began when his parents enrolled him and his fraternal twin brother Tim at St. Martin of Tours School, four blocks from home. "Neither of my parents had any particular faith calling, nor strong faith experience," he recalls. "But my dad had learned about Catholic schools and felt they had something special to offer. And he was right."

Blessed to be part of a "family-centric community, with three wonderful priests," Chris warmly recalls the particular influence of a recently-ordained Irishman named Father Liam Kidney, who helped Chris, Tim and older sister Wendy in their quest to become Catholic. That took place in 1974; their parents followed them a year later.

"Father Liam really connected with us," Chris smiles. "When you encounter a strong group with strong beliefs, that makes an impact, and it did on me. And our parents weren't far behind."

Currently director of sales, marketing and consultant relations for RCM, a global equity investment management firm, Chris is also a devoted family man whose own kids have attended Catholic schools from the get-go. He and his wife Marla --- whom he met in the last class of his last semester at Pepperdine Unviersity --- are imparting that spirit of involvement and support to their children: Alec, 19; Ryan, 18; and Katie, 14.

"We try to give them the freedom to choose their way in life," he says, "but I do emphasize to them that the key is to feel passionate about what they do, and to appreciate what they have received."

On reasons for his success:
"I really believe that the career success I've had is because of the Church, the education I received, and the incredible blessing of the priests and religious I have come in contact with."
On why he and many of his business friends' support inner city students:
"The students at these schools are the sweetest kids, who just need some positive reinforcement that someone cares. And we told them, 'You are important, you matter.' That's why we support them, because we believe in them."
On the importance of ongoing support:
"We want to encourage the young, the next generation of fundraisers, and their families to get involved in making their schools and communities better places."

DR. LEO LAGASSE
Leo Lagasse can still recall the day at Loyola University when he told his biology professor, Jesuit Father Roland Reed, of his desire to enter medical school --- and of his doubt that, as a "less than brilliant" student, he would have a hard time getting in.

"Don't let that discourage you," Father Reed told his young student. "Go ahead and apply --- and stay determined."

"That," says Leo, "became great advice for everything I ever did."

Not only did this graduate of St. Elizabeth (Van Nuys) Elementary and Loyola High become a top gynecologist and oncologist, he helped pioneer the specialization in women's gynecological and oncological issues, especially in uterine, cervical and ovaric cancers.

And, through the organization Medicine for Humanity that he cofounded in 1996, he has taken his knowledge and dozens of fellow doctors, and medical students, to Africa to advance the state of women's health in developing countries.

None of this could have happened without family, faith and determination, says the tall, soft-spoken parishioner of Our Lady of Malibu Church, now retired as a professor of medicine at UCLA but very much active in his efforts to improve society by improving the health of its women.

Throughout his life, in fact, Leo feels blessed to have had the support of "a wonderful, supportive family," starting with his mother and carried through by Ann, his wife of 47 years and a registered nurse who accompanies him to Africa, and their three adult children, all Catholic school graduates. And he is grateful for the religious women and men who taught him at St. Elizabeth and Loyola, and implanted "honesty and integrity in us."

On the influence of his mother, a teacher who lived to be 100:
"She told me, 'Try your hardest to be kind, gentle, understanding, to be empathetic and supportive of others.' She believed that to be kind to others, you must first be kind to yourself. Good self-esteem is the key."
On getting into Virginia Medical School:
"I was interviewed by a dean, who asked me, 'What will you do if you don't get accepted?' I told him, 'I'll apply next year.' What if I was rejected again? "I'll apply again, and again,' I said. 'I'm determined.' I got in."
On the purpose of Medicine for Humanity's trips to Africa:
"We try to upgrade the whole society and country where we serve. The core concept is spiritual: we're all one under God, we are all together in this world. We have strengths and weaknesses, we make mistakes. But we all have something to offer."
On the ob-gyn student volunteers who participate on these trips:
"These young people who go with us are so inspiring. They have an underlying consciousness and awareness that their lives are for others --- much like I learned from the Jesuits at Loyola."

VIRGINIA SCHNEIDER
You don't raise 11 children without a strong sense of family, a solid foundation of faith, and a pretty good sense of humor. Nor do you participate in the formation and building of a parish, a high school and a hospital unless you have a deep commitment to the well-being of your church, and your community.

Anyone looking for pointers from a real-life expert in all of the above would do well to meet Virginia Schneider of Redondo Beach, lifelong Catholic, family woman and --- with her late husband George, a prominent real estate and banking official --- contributor to numerous church-related endeavors that have built a sizable Catholic presence in the South Bay area.

Led by the efforts of Ginnie and George, and many others, St. Lawrence Martyr Church, Bishop Montgomery High School and Little Company of Mary Hospital have served the region with distinction over the past half-century. George --- who helped acquire properties for the archdiocese in the McIntyre years --- passed away three years ago, but Ginnie continues as a volunteer in Little Company of Mary's gift shop.

"Well, I like being busy," she says with a smile. "I can't imagine just sitting around. I like to be involved in my community."

The native of La Crosse, Wis., and product of its Catholic schools also remains active in the George and Virginia Schneider Foundation, which supports multiple Catholic projects around the U.S. She sponsors scholarships at her alma mater, Marquette University, as well as St. John's in Collegeville, Minn., and Bishop Montgomery High School.

And she takes enormous pride in serving as a Eucharistic Minister. "It's such a peaceful feeling to bring the Lord to people," she says softly.

On her upbringing in La Crosse:
" I had a good, stable home life. And I had a very good example from my folks, who set very high standards. They never missed Mass, even when we were traveling. My dad, a businessman, had a lot of integrity. And my mom always said, 'If you can't speak kindly of someone, say nothing at all.' That was very good advice. She was a very giving lady."
On raising 11 children:
"With 11 kids, there is a lot of give and take. We all shared a station wagon, and sometimes we'd get on one another's nerves. But we always had ground rules: Be honest, and own up to your faults. Honesty, fairness, the volunteer spirit --- I would say that is the hallmark of our family."
On helping to establish St. Lawrence Martyr Church:
"It has been such a blessing to be part of this community, helping to build the church and school, and getting to work with such fine pastors and priests. Both George and I felt it was important to give back. Our children all volunteer in some way in their own communities, which makes me very proud."

VIN SCULLY
After six decades of broadcasting Dodger baseball, World Series and All-Star Games life behind a microphone is still fun for the man known to millions as Vinny.

"The roar of the crowd --- it never gets old," smiles the beloved broadcaster of Dodger baseball. "The circumstances and surroundings get you pumped. When I'm in the booth and the players take the field, and the crowd roars, it lifts you right up."

Which is good news for Dodger fans who can't imagine enjoying a game without the Hall of Fame broadcaster who has turned generations of Angelenos into baseball fans.

For his part, Vin is both humbled by and grateful for his good fortune, as might be expected of a lifelong Catholic who firmly believes he has been blessed by the opportunities he has received.

Among them: the chance to attend Catholic school all through college; the chance to pursue his sportscaster dream by writing for the school papers at Fordham Prep and Fordham University, and broadcast for the school's radio station; and, at age 22, the chance to join the Brooklyn Dodgers' announcing team.

And, most of all, for his wife of 35 years, Sandy ("A saint, no doubt about it"), their five children and 18 grandchildren.

As he prepares for his 60th season of Dodger baseball announcing in 2009, the St. Jude Church (Westlake Village) parishioner remains ever grateful. "All I can say is, 'Thank you, God,' for giving me a direction at such a young age, and then to be able to pursue it and allow me to do it for so long. And faith has a big part in that."

On the boyhood roots of his broadcasting career --- crawling under the big radio in his family's Washington Heights, N.Y., apartment, and listening to college football:
"When there would be a touchdown, the crowd would roar and the sound was like water from a showerhead, washing all around me. I'd get goose bumps, and today, all these years later, I am still enamored by the roar of the crowd. And as long as that gets my attention, I'm OK."
On his role after the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1958:
"You had to build trust. The fans first had to trust that you were being accurate, and, secondly, that you were being honest. If you say a Dodger made a great play, you don't want them saying, 'Oh, yeah, sure, he's the Dodger announcer." They need to know you are being honest. Accuracy and believability are the cornerstones in any form of communication."
On the cornerstones of his life --- faith and family:
"To have a strong faith influence growing up gave me direction, ground rules, like you learn in sports. Today, if people ask me for advice on how to live, I say, 'Follow the 10 Commandments; you won't be in bad shape, and you'll sleep a lot better.' And as you get older, I think your faith grows, especially the more you appreciate what has been given, and what could be taken away at any moment."