Pearls of the Ball

    The average age in O.C.'s many glam, big-hearted, charitable groups once hovered around 40. No more, thanks to three Mater Dei High School grads who formed Four Pearls, a hip auxiliary of the do-gooding Beckstrand Cancer Foundation.  Veronica Muth, 27th, her NYC-based sister Stephanie, 25, and Lauren Collins, 25, head the passionate group, which Veronica says is for "post-college people who want to get involved, but aren't ready for the stuffier nonprofits."

    And the fourth Pearl? Collins' sister Andi, who died of inflammatory breast cancer at just 16.  "It's really opened people's eyes," says Collins of Four Pearls' impact on previously unaware contemporaries of both sexes.  The charity draws a surprisingly strong number of guys to its high-style soirées, which include fashion, jewels, and signature cocktails, natch, and membership is 50/50.  Loyalty to the cause?  Sure, but... "Every guy's like, 'There are a lot of hot chicks here!'"  Collins says.  "The girls in the group are very pretty."

    Veronica, who's a regular at O.C.'s top arts events, is in hot pursuit of a USC M.B.A. (alongside who boyfriend, who just cycled across the country to raise $100,000 or Four Pearls) to further a career in her philanthropic-minded fam's concrete block biz.  Collins, a Parsons grad who just left her job in NYC showroom full of coveted French brands, is planning St. Tropez nuptials ("the dresses are so atrocious right now!") with her French photog beau.

    Both girls have places in downtown L.A., so the next step is a Pearls expansion.  "We target our peers willing to give up that $20 or so a weekend that might be spent on drinks or clothes," says Veronica.  "It's tax-deductible and significant."

Downloadable Files: 

Four Pearls in Riviera.pdf