It was an evening to dance, feast and celebrate at the sixth annual Fiesta to benefit the Foundation for Children's Dental Health.

Held at the Sand Canyon estate home of Bob and Kathy Kellar, the event featured a dancing demonstration by Charlotte Kleeman, a foundation board member and her dance instructor, Eusebio Preciado of Preciado's Ballroom Dance Studio.

More than 150 guests dined on a Mexican feast supplied by El Pariente Restaurant with dessert by Jazmin's Bakery and enjoyed refreshments served up the SCV Rotary Club.

"We had a great response from people and had to add tables," said Erica Watson, the foundation's executive director. "This is our only fundraiser each year and the money we raise goes right back to helping children in the community with free dental services."
Watson said each year the foundation provides services and programs to nearly 5,000 SCV children.

The nonprofit was founded in 1993 by Mary Caravalho, Ken Pulskamp, Steve Schmidt and others who were concerned about SCV children who suffered from lack of dental care.

Since the foundation began, more than 8,000 children have benefited from free dental screenings, 378 children have received emergency dental treatment and 48,500 children have received oral-hygiene education. The free Children's Mobile Dental Clinic has provided dental care to more than 1,500 children.

"I want to thank everyone who attended tonight and our sponsors," said Watson. "It really means a lot to us to be supported in this way."

After dinner guests took to the dance floor in the Kellar's front yard where Preciado and Kleeman performed the Rumba. Female and male guests then lined up on opposite side of the dance floor where Preciado then provided move-by-move dance instruction to the guests.

After the lesson DJ Jesus Henano provided dance music for guests to continue practicing their new moves.

Foundation board member Jim Backer said the annual event is important to the success of the foundation's mission.

"We are thrilled to be able to continue to provide services to children that need a smile," he said. "Without events like this, we couldn't do it."

Princess Cruises stepped up as this year's title sponsor and offered a seven-day cruise to be awarded in a raffle drawing.

Kerry Turner's ticket was drawn by Julie Benson, Princess Cruises vice president of public relations, during the evening.

"Princess Cruises is very interested in making sure we benefit the community," said Benson. "Children are important and this is a tough time for many families. We are delighted to be able to help tonight."

Host Bob Kellar said he was pleased to be able to offer up his home for the event.

"This is a great event," Kellar said. "I have taken time on several occasions to see the Foundation for Children's Dental Health in operation. They are actively out there, hands on, providing services to children in the SCV that otherwise would never see a dentist."

Guest Alan Cameron said children benefit from the health benefits and self-confidence that a beautiful smiles brings.

"If a child has bad teeth then overall health can be compromised, too," he said. "So good dental health is not just an aesthetic concern it is also a general good health concern."

For more information about the Foundation for Children's Dental Health call Ericka Watson at (661) 296-8515, or visit www.fcdh.org.