Los Angeles is known to be more of a new-money town than, say, New York. But a smattering of annual events evoke that feeling of long-established charitable traditions amid recognizable family names. The Colleagues, a women's group that raises funds to benefit anti-abuse organization Children's Institute Inc., hosted its 22nd annual spring luncheon for about 600 guests in the grand ballroom of the Beverly Wilshire on April 20. The group's committee, including honorary chair Nancy Reagan, helped sell out the event and take in $500,000 for the cause. Colleagues president Nettie Dart helped oversee the program, and served as M.C.

De la Renta (who has staged multiple shows for the Colleagues in the past, including in 2007) was this year's recipient of the Champion of Children award at the event, where Diane Lane served as the guest presenter, and the luncheon program included a fashion show of the designer's fall 2010 collection. Kids in the Children's Institute's performing arts program also performed.

Luxury trips and high-end gifts were available through a live auction and opportunity drawing, including a resort package at the Domincan Republic’s Tortuga Bay at Puntacana Resort & Club (owned in part by de la Renta) that went for a winning bid of $46,000.