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"The AZ Insider" with Kathy Shayna Shocket: Get the inside scoop on Arizona's social scene and celebrity news.

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This week: Celebs at multi-million dollar netting Valley party...

I thought I’d share some of my behind the scenes notes from the weekend of behind the scenes gatherings of the Drive the Dream Gala. The event presented by Childhelp and Barrett Jackson attracted business heavyweights from around the country and recognizable celebs.

Actress Cheryl Ladd may be 57 years old now, but the petite Charlie’s Angels star is still adorable. And American Idol alumni Michael Johns –the popular Australian contestant who was born the year the 70’s TV show was on the air- was so thrilled to meet actress Cheryl Ladd – that he began tweeting about the chance to meet her.

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Michael Johns and his former Idol contestant cohorts – Brooke White, Matt Giraud and Scott Macintyre- headlined this year’s Drive the Dream Gala. Scott was the first visually-impaired finalist on Idol. The Idol contestant who made tabloid headlines when Ryan Seacrest high-fived the legally blind contestant on the show – was born in Scottsdale, AZ and moved to Toronto when he was 10 years old.

On the VIP guest list was Sheriff Joe Arpaio and wife Eva. FOX News Channel anchor Bret Baier was honored for excellence in journalism with the Chilldhelp Positive Impact in the Media Award.

FOX News Channel anchor Megyn Kelly who was presented with the award the year prior, presented the award to her fellow anchor Bret. “We netted $12 million dollars,” says an excited Sara O’Meara. That’s incredible. She and Yvonne Fedderson, (known affectionately as the ladies) co-founded Childhelp.

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At 10:30 a.m. on Saturday- just hours before the gala began -- the ladies got a fax from a foundation out of England. The international humanitarian foundation, based in England committed to match the Drive the Dream Gala’s net times three!

The Saturday night gala at Westworld was held under a tent. But the ambiance was like that of a ballroom. And several of the major sponsors tables were rectangular-a popular décor style which adds to the elegance of the evening. The 700 partygoers also had a chance to preview of the autos on display at Barrett-Jackson. Missy Anderson, Jinger Richardson and Susie Wesley co-chaired the party which boasted some big money auction items including lunch with actor Dennis Quaid in Los Angeles and a walk on role in one of his upcoming movies; a City Slickers type getaway at Bell Cross Ranch in Montana; and a walk on role in Los Angeles for the hit TV show, “Grey’s Anatomy.” Not to mention the Lake Powell Houseboat package aboard Craig Jackson’s (as in Barrett Jackson) personal houseboat on Lake Powell for up to ten people. Wow. The live auction alone generated $400,000.

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John O’Hurley (pictured above with Cheryl Ladd at the Childhelp gala Saturday night) is also now a part of Childhelp, and the Childhelp ambassador and his wife were also among the celebs at the weekend event. You know him. He’s the actor who played J. Peterman on Seinfeld.

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Kathy Shayna Shocket is a Phoenix based writer. If you have a good item for The AZ Insider, you can email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .