PARTY LINES : A HARMONIOUS EVENING FOR MR. DREYFUSS' OPUS.

Byline: Barbara De Witt 

Remember how you got teary-eyed when you saw Richard Dreyfuss in ``Mr. Holland's Opus''? He was a hero of youth and humanity, but he wasn't just acting, according to Sister Carmel Somers, an affiliate of the Valley Family Center in San Fernando.

For all his good deeds and for being an advocate for youth, Dreyfuss was honored Thursday night by the center at a gala held at the Warner Center Marriott Hotel in Woodland Hills. The former Valley boy with an Oscar and Golden Globe to his credit, is also one of the co-founders of L.A. Works, an organization that provides volunteers for youth and family organizations throughout the city. Surrounded by his family and friends, Dreyfuss' own dad, Norman Dreyfuss, presented him with the top award for community service.

The scene, witnessed by about 300 guests, was really touching. They hugged, and the elder Dreyfuss said he was honored to give the award, especially because this was the first time he'd gotten involved with his son's professional life. He explained that he has always endeavored to stay out of his son's way, to leave him free to pursue his own goals without family influence or pressure.

TV newscaster and weatherman Christopher Nance was also honored at the party, and he spoke with eloquence about his personal battle with sickle cell anemia, stressing the importance of never giving up in any of life's battles.

Also honored was Eduardo Palacios of Arleta, who was retiring from Santa Rosa Immigration Services, which he founded and directed for more than 20 years.

Special guests included the San Fernando Mayor Raul Godinez, Assemblyman Tony Cardenas and Councilman Richard Alarcon.

Sandy Miller planned the dinner that included a spring bouquet theme on the table with California citrus chicken topped with white wine sauce and double chocolate chip cake. Part of the entertainment was an auction that included a picture woven from llama wool that sold for $300 and a trip for two to Rio that earned $2,300 for the Valley Family Center, but most of the entertainment was provided by Dreyfuss who posed for pictures all night with anybody who brought a camera.

Meanwhile, at the Regent Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, guests were swinging to the sounds of Gershwin, Cole Porter and Glenn Miller and raising money - $100,000 - for the Fulfillment Fund, which is Los Angeles' largest mentoring organization and provider of scholarships for L.A. students. The group's ``Puttin' on the Ritz'' gala was organized by Encino resident Loretta Appel.

City of Hope was raising big bucks, too. At its annual gala and auction held at Christie's Los Angeles, more than $130,000 was raised for the City of Hope's National Medical Center. The event, organized by City of Hope chairman Gil Schwartzberg and Geffen Records executive David Simone, was attended by 250 guests who bid on dinners by Wolfgang Puck, music memorabilia and a week as editor of HITS magazine, which, by the way, brought $20,000 from Norman Pattiz, chairman of the board of Westwood One Inc.

Said auctioneer Andrea Fiuczynski, ``This evening's crowd is fantastic. Fierce competition drove the bids higher than expected.'' She added that the music and entertainment industry arm of City of Hope has raised more than $18 million for City of Hope's research programs to combat cancer, diabetes and AIDS.

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4 Photos

Photo: (1) Raising money at ``Puttin' on the Ritz'' at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel are dinner chairwoman Loretta Appel, left; John Fugelsang, host of ``America's Funniest Home Videos''; and Marilyn Spencer, president of Friends of the Fulfillment Fund. The event raised more than $100,000 for youth scholarships.

(2) Chatting at ``A Night for Hope'' are Aimee Osbourne, daughter of rock star Ozzy Osbourne, left; with her mother, Sharon Osbourne; and Norman and Mary Pattiz, who were top bidders for the chance to work as editor for a week at HITS magazine. The event raised more than $130,000 for City of Hope medical research.

(3) ``Krippendorf's Tribe'' star Richard Dreyfuss, fourth from left, is surrounded by his own tribe at the Valley Family Center gala at the Warner Center Marriott Hotel in Woodland Hills. Celebrating his award with him are his dad, Norman Dreyfuss, left; Sister Carmel Somers, a family friend and the director of the Learning Center; his stepmother, Barbara Mark-Dreyfuss; his girlfriend, Janelle Lacey; and his brother, Lorin Dreyfuss.

(4) Doing the party scene at the annual Valley Family Center gala Thursday night are Sister Carmel Somers, left, dinner chairwoman Sandy Miller, Sister Una Connolly and program coordinator Yvonne Lovato.

Gus Ruelas/Daily News