PARTY LINES : STANDING TALL FOR BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS.

Byline: Barbara Dewitt

Throw a party called Heroes and High Hopes, and giants will come.

At least that's what happened at the annual Boys and Girls Clubs of America gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where guests of honor included Shaquille O'Neal, the 7-foot-1 Lakers basketball star, who barely cleared the hotel's crystal chandeliers; movie giant Kirk Douglas; and Rockwell International CEO Don Davis Jr.

The crowd-pleaser was clearly O'Neal, who arrived in a snappy navy blue plaid, Edwardian-inspired suit, yellow tie, and elegant (size 23) monk-strap shoes. He hugged kids, posed for snapshots with the guests and signed autographs before everybody sat down for the steak-and-shrimp dinner that raised $380,000 for the 2,300 Boys and Girls Clubs across the country.

Later, up on the podium, the slam-dunk king pulled out a man-sized hanky to wipe tears from his eyes as he received the Alumni Hall of Fame Award from Rick Goings, the CEO of Tupperware. Yes, O'Neal is a former member, who recalled mowing lawns to earn money for the $5 membership fee. That was back in New Jersey, where he had so many happy memories and friendships that, when he grew up, he donated $5,000 to fix the basketball courts.

But O'Neal became the organization's biggest hero about four years ago, when he innocently told a reporter that when he retired from basketball he'd like to be the director or spokesman for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

``I got a call the next day,'' O'Neal recalled with a chuckle. Although he's not ready to retire yet, he recently donated $1 million for new computers. ``It's a competitive world ... and this will give kids the tools they need to stay in the game and succeed,'' he said, adding that Microsoft and Compaq have already agreed to support the project.

He also donated a pair of autographed sneakers for the evening's auction. Each shoe sold for $12,000. Box seats at the Lakers' new Staples Center raised an additional $13,000.

Others, like Boys and Girls Clubs president Roxanne Spillett, were excited to meet Kirk Douglas. ``I love his movies - but also his heart. He does the right thing for children,'' said Spillett, referring to his Douglas Foundation, which raises money for youth-related groups, and his books, including the soon-to-be-released ``Young Heroes of the Bible.''

The frail but still handsome actor held his Champions of the Children Award and said the real credit went to his wife, Anne, who has raised millions of dollars to refurbish about 50 school playgrounds.

Rockwell's Davis, the recipient of the President's Award, began his relationship with the Boys and Girls Clubs 25 years ago by starting a clubhouse in Milwaukee. When accepting his crystal trophy, he praised Rockwell for making a commitment to youth and challenged others to act as mentors.

For those unfamiliar with Boys and Girls Clubs, Peter Haynes, chairman of the board of governors at the national level, explained that, unlike Boy Scouts, they provide an actual clubhouse, as well as sports and computer experience for underprivileged youth. And their goal is to help kids be responsible, productive citizens.

Grammy Award winner Sarah McLachlan was busy on the social scene, performing at the Sept. 17 Cure Autism Now event co-sponsored by fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger at the Key Club in West Hollywood. Former ``Family Ties'' star Tina Yothers, now lead singer for Jaded, was there, too, along with Perry Farrell, the Flys, Common Sense and Ted Danson. And their bottom line was $100,000.

Then, the next night, McLachlan entertained at PETA's Party of the Century and Humanitarian Awards at Paramount Studios, where she sang the song ``Angel,'' with a montage of Paul McCartney and his wife, Linda, in the background. Other entertainment was provided by the B-52's, who performed their song, ``Rome,'' with Chrissie Hynde and McLachlan, and then McCartney wrapped up the evening with six songs from his new album, ``Run, Devil, Run.''

Guests dined on vegetarian food and applauded ``VIP'' star Pamela Anderson Lee, who received the first Linda McCartney Memorial Award for her animal rights activities, which included posing nude for the PETA billboard ``Give Fur the Cold Shoulder.'' Lee also does a lot of international schmoozing on behalf of PETA, which stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Other honorees were Paul's daughter, fashion designer Stella McCartney, and actors Alicia Silverstone, Kathy Najimy, James Cromwell, Steven Seagal, and Richard Pryor, who made a rare public appearance. If you didn't get invited, not to worry. The event will be aired Oct. 16 on VH1.

Other recent galas around town included the 13th annual Nautica Malibu Triathlon party at the Sports Club/L.A. to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation; Saks Fifth Avenue and In Style magazine's star-studded shopping event to raise money for Cedars-Sinai Research for Women's Cancers; the opening night soiree for the L.A. Art Show that benefited the UCLA Medical Arts Program; and a lavish fashion show and cocktail party at Canfield/Marino Villa in Silver Lake, sponsored by Nordstrom, the Italian Trade Commission and W magazine.

Quintessential New York magazine and Warhol prodigy Interview celebrated its 30th birthday last week - in Los Angeles. Huh? Well, L.A. celebs need love and publishing parties, too.

The event featured Hedwig and the Angry Inch. The way-over-the-top drag-queen rock band/Off Broadway show gave a quite edible taste of what's to come next month when the full show debuts in Los Angeles.

Vynyl, the busiest club in the city that's not officially open, was the gathering place. The old Moguls space, just south of Hollywood Boulevard on Shrader, has been transformed into a clubby, blue-beamed cavern with a huge stage and a feel right out of a Cape Cod summer house. The club didn't open to the public until Saturday, but in the week leading up to its opening, it hosted the Interview party, an event for Internet site Spike Radio, the KROQ-FM predawn breakfast concert with Tori Amos and Alanis Morissette, and more. And club co-owner Chris Monaco, who also was set to spin discs on opening night and did three shows on Spike's Webcasts, was at all the events. When does the man sleep?

Who was there: Dermot Mulroney, Jenna Elfman, Andy Dick (who let him out of his cage?), Camryn Manheim (who introduced the band and deftly handled the slender John Cameron Mitchell's leaping scissor-legs embrace onto her without a flinch).

Staff writer David Bloom contributed to this column.

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7 Photos

PHOTO (1) Lakers star Shaquille O'Neal with young fans Terrence Nelson, left, and Antonio Worthams of the Pomona Boys and Girls Club.

(2) Roxanne Spillett, national president of Boys and Girls Clubs of America, with Jim Ventress, executive director of Santa Clarita Boys and Girls Club.

Barbara De Witt

(3) Sarah McLachlan sang at both Cure Autism Now and PETA's Party of the Century.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer

(4) Carin Koeppel of Tarzana, left, actress Mary Steenburgen and Agoura Hills resident Michael Epstein at the Nautica Malibu Triathlon party.

Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer

(5) PETA honoree Pamela Anderson Lee with Tommy Lee.

(6) Tina Yothers at the Cure Autism Now gala.

(7) Paul McCartney at the PETA party.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer