At an April 23 luncheon, the Catholic Education Foundation honored donors for their steadfast support that allowed CEF to provide a record number of tuition scholarships this year - making it possible for 9,000 economically disadvantaged elementary and secondary students to attend Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

"We had our best year, giving out over $11 million in scholarship assistance to students from poor families," reported Rob Smith, president of the philanthropic organization, which was established in 1987 by Cardinal Roger Mahony and area business people.

Singled out for a special tribute at the Wilshire Country Club event was Ruth Orford, who with her deceased husband, Richard, established the foundation's "Save Our Children" program targeting the most at-risk boys and girls. CEF Executive Director Kathy Anderson pointed out that SOS students often come from broken homes and neighborhoods where drugs, gangs and violence are daily facts of life.

"Mrs. Orford and Richard had the vision of wanting their program to reach out to those hurting kids," she said. "They believed that the Catholic school system could save them. And I have to tell you, when LMU [Loyola Marymount University] did a study of these SOS kids, they found 100 percent of them graduating from high school. That's an amazing statistic."

In her brief remarks, Ruth Orford remarked that her husband would be very happy that 1,123 SOS tuition scholarships had been awarded to troubled children from 1999 to 2009. "I'm sure he's up there smiling with what he and I started," she said. "And we're very proud of the church for what it's done for these children."

A couple of SOS recipients - both eighth-graders at Nativity School in El Monte - expressed their gratitude to the Orfords and other donors. "Thanks to the SOS program, my dream has come true," said Alejandro De la Torre. "I have always dreamed of following my cousin's footsteps to Don Bosco Tech [High School]. So I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me to become the person that I am today."

Dominic Hernandez admitted that he was nervous speaking to the more than 80 donors, board members and educators sitting at round tables. "However, this nervousness makes me think about so many parents who are nervous and worried about how they are going to afford the type of quality Catholic education for their children that I have been fortunate enough to receive through your generosity," he said. "Now I believe that it is only right that we who have been so blessed to give back to others."

John Watkins has helped a number of urban Catholic schools start development boards, including Salesian and Verbum Dei high schools as well as Dolores Mission and St. Thomas the Apostle elementary schools. The retired L.A. businessman has also supported the Catholic Education Foundation since the mid-'90s.

"What the foundation does all ties in with what I do with inner-city schools," the CEF board of trustee member told The Tidings. "And I've seen a lot of kids go to college who probably never would have had a chance to go. So I see the importance of the Catholic Education Foundation. And I try to tell people who don't know much about us, it's a good investment."

Jill Wondries, another trustee, said she supported the work of the foundation because she wanted poor urban children to have the same opportunity for an excellent education that her own four children had.

"I have seen such incredible results by being involved with these inner-city Catholic schools," said Wondries. "We're graduating 98 percent out of high school. That's pretty phenomenal when you look at the statistics in the public schools. And our students are going to colleges, junior colleges and trade schools.

"So it's very rewarding to be part of it," Wondries stressed. "I think you get the best bang for your buck when you donate money to CEF."