The Native Sons of the Golden West, a cultural group of more than 9,000 individuals committed to improving children's health, were honored at a Mass and luncheon Aug. 1 for their support of the Cleft Palate Center at St. John's Health Center, Santa Monica.

More than $1 million has been donated to the center by the group, including $50,000 this year. "Their contribution has helped thousands of children with facial anomalies to achieve their full potential," said Bruce Lamoureux, St. John's CEO.

Founded in 1965, the Cleft Palate Center helped pioneer state-of-the-art medical care in a community setting for children. Plastic and reconstructive surgeons, pediatricians, speech pathologists, audiologists, orthodontists, nurses and social workers are among those who work with children and adults with clefts.

The Native Sons of the Golden West --- who work to keep alive the memory of pioneers who settled California --- has been involved with helping children with craniofacial defects since 1956, first in San Francisco and since 1969 at St. John's.