Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian’s reimagined Sun Family Campus in Irvine will be built around the Du Family Hospital Pavilion, in honor of a $25 million gift from longtime supporters Benjamin “Ben” Du, founder of Flojet, and his wife, Carmela Du. The Du Family Hospital Pavilion will serve as a focal point for welcoming patients and visitors to Hoag’s $1 billion expansion project in Irvine.

When complete, the expanded campus will include renovations to existing facilities, alongside new state-of-the-art specialty care centers for surgical innovation, cancer and digestive and women’s health, in addition to a dedicated urgent care for cancer patients.

The expansion will bring six new buildings, 155 inpatient beds, eight operating rooms, two additional procedure rooms and 120,000 square feet of ambulatory facilities to the Sun Family Campus.

“Giving back is an important part of our family legacy,” Carmela Du said. “We are inspired by Hoag’s work to redefine the future of healthcare, right here in Orange County. We fully support the vision of Hoag’s expanded care.”

Ben and Carmela Du’s first major gift to Hoag in 2015 established the Benjamin & Carmela Du Endowed Chair in Urologic Oncology, which supports breakthroughs in prostate cancer treatment at Hoag. In 2018, the couple’s $5 million gift, the largest gift to Hoag’s Irvine campus at the time, allowed Hoag to unveil the Benjamin & Carmela Du Emergency Pavilion.

The couple are also members of Hoag Innovators, a group of community leaders dedicated to supporting innovation at Hoag, including the funding of a Prostate Cancer Screening Clinic pilot in 2023. Ben Du also served on the Hoag Hospital Foundation board of directors for nine years.

The Du family joins Diana and David Sun, co-founder and chief operating officer, Kingston Technology and co-founders, the Sun Family Foundation, the Pacific Life Foundation and other donors to support Hoag Hospital Foundation’s Boldly Hoag capital campaign.

Boldly Hoag has raised more than $180 million toward its $300 million goal to fund the hospital’s expansion and support Hoag’s three interconnected initiatives, which includes elevating the patient experience; recruiting and retaining the nation’s brightest health care professionals, and defining and building the future of healthcare.

Vintage: Hope

NEWPORT BEACH — CureDuchenne and Alpha Omega Winery hosted its 10th annual Napa in Newport gala on April 20 at Pendry Newport Beach. The event raised more than $1.35 million to find and fund a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive neuromuscular disease.

This year’s gala featured a collection of high-quality, limited-production wines from Napa Valley vintners. Guests experienced a Grand Tasting with 29 vintners showcasing their finest vintages, including this year’s Vintner Chair, Alpha Omega Winery.

Following the tastings, guests took part in a multi-course gourmet dinner at vintner-hosted tables, with a meal curated by Chef Charles Phan, executive chef and founder, Slanted Door.

CureDuchenne also honored Douglas Ingram, president and chief executive, Sarepta Therapeutics, for his dedication to advancing treatments and support for individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

“We are so grateful for the generosity of our vintners, sponsors and guests,” said Debra Miller, founder and CEO, CureDuchenne. “With the significant funds raised at Napa in Newport, we’ve strategically invested in promising research that has significantly driven scientific progress.

There is more hope and progress toward a cure than ever before, but we’re not done until everyone with Duchenne has a transformative treatment. This milestone year, we celebrated hope, progress and the unwavering dedication of our community toward finding a cure for all.”

Event sponsors include Porsche Newport Beach, Porsche Irvine, South Coast Plaza and MWA Luxury.

Giving is a Science and an Art

IRVINE — On April 16, in front of a packed house of more than 1,000 student musicians and their families at the 40th annual Donald Bren Honors Concert held at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Cyril Yu, president, Irvine Unified School Board (IUSD), accepted a $2 million contribution in support of the district’s arts, music and science education, from Irvine Co. and the Donald Bren Foundation, part of a 20-year, nearly $50 million funding commitment made by the two organizations to provide arts, music and science education in IUSD through the Excellence in Education Enrichment program, which helps provide art, music and science teachers to every fourth through sixth grader in IUSD.

Instruction includes two one-hour science lessons per week, two 40-minute music lessons per week and six one-hour art lessons per year, all taught by highly specialized instructors.

“Educational opportunity and excellence have always been at the heart of our planning efforts in Irvine,” said Jeff Davis, senior vice president, Irvine Co. “The funding commitment made through the Excellence in Education Enrichment program has deepened our decades-long partnership with IUSD, students and families to support enrichment programs in science, art and music.”

Bits & Pieces

Once-Ballet Foundation was awarded nearly $11,800 on April 9 from 100 Women Who Care, Orange County Chapter, an organization in which women from across Orange County come together four times a year to learn about local nonprofits, then pool their member’s donations of $100 per person to give to one standout organization.

On April 10, Orange County Community Foundation hosted Empowering Possibilities, a 24-hour, online fundraiser in Orange County, which raised $133,000 to be divided among eight local nonprofits, including Beyond Blindness, Down Syndrome Association of Orange County, GiGi’s Playhouse Orange County, Project Independence, Reimagine, Sandy Feet Initiative, Tomorrow’s Leadership Collaborative Charter School and Unlimited Possibilities.

Citizens Business Bank presented Seneca with a $10,000 check on April 26, which will support Seneca’s Unconditional Education programs, enhancing Seneca’s public school partnerships.

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The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Anaheim-Cypress held its annual Gala & Auction, themed Moving Forward, at ARTIC on March 23. More than 300 guests gathered at the event, raising $265,000 to support the nonprofit’s mission to empower young people to reach their full potential as caring, responsible and productive citizens.

The evening started with a VIP reception for major donors. Following the reception, guests enjoyed a program that included silent and live auctions, a golden opportunity drawing, performances by the Club’s King Choir and Teen DJ Club, and live entertainment by the Angel Force Band. Guests were served a three-course plated dinner, wine and dessert.

The event also honored the Anaheim Ducks with the Champion of Youth award for their years of support for the Clubs’ free and low-cost summer and after-school program activities for children and teens in Anaheim, Cypress and surrounding areas.

Gala event sponsors included Extron, Disneyland Resort, Related California, OCVibe and Arctic, the Anaheim Ducks, Yamaha, Hafner Vineyards, LA Times, KTLA, Angels Baseball, US Bank, Banc of California, Republic Services, OC Firefighters, Madeline Zuckerman Marketing & Public Relations, Workers Union Local 50, SoCalGas, Anaheim Public Utilities, Goldman Sachs, Mama’s Comfort Food and Cocktails, ACME Berwick, Pacific Premier Bank, SA Recycling, Kiwanis Club of Greater Anaheim and Apollo Printing and Graphics.

Strong Foundation

ANAHEIM — More than 400 philanthropic individuals, businesses and community leaders gathered on March 24 for the Illumination Foundation’s 11th Annual Chef’s Table gala, held at the Disneyland Hotel, to support the nonprofit and its mission to disrupt the cycle of homelessness.

The black-tie event raised $1.5 million to provide support for Illumination Foundation’s Children and Family Program at their family emergency homes.

Chef’s Table was presented by Disneyland Resort, a long-standing supporter of the Illumination Foundation. Additional sponsors included the Bickerstaff Family Foundation; Golden Eagle Foundation; Experian; StrikeWorks; Jacqueline DuPont-Carlson, founder and former chief executive, Assured In-Home Care and Irvine Cottages Memory Care and Marc Carlson, managing director, 3 Points Partners; Karen Jordan, board member, Illumination Foundation; The Bascom Group; Kaiser Permanente; Stanbridge University; Frome Family Foundation; Prospera Hotels; Linda and Burton Young, principal and founder, Sperry Equities & Sperry Commerical; Voluspa; Fisher & Phillips; KPMG; TGIS Catering; Farmers & Merchants Bank; and the Crean Foundation.

The yearly Chef’s Table gala event featured food prepared tableside, with each table of guests receiving a unique dining experience while interacting with their own chef throughout the evening.

The evening began with a reception where guests were offered a variety of appetizers and drinks while perusing silent auction items. After the reception, guests entered the ballroom where each table was distinctively decorated and designed to showcase the individual restaurants.

During the event, the Illumination Foundation honored Tarsadia Foundation and Golden Eagle Foundation for their longtime support. The evening also included a live auction, fund-a-need, and a video featuring Illumination Foundation clients.

Participating restaurants included 21 Royal, Adya, Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, Cambalache Grill, Carbonara’s Catering, Catered Courses, Chef Kori Sutton, Embers & Ash, Farmhouse at Roger’s Garden, Fork in the Road, Henry’s Coastal Cuisine at The Waterfront Beach Resort, Oak Laguna Beach, Oceans & Earth, Rancho Capistrano Winery, Strong Water Anaheim, TGIS Catering, and The Cellar Restaurant.

Reception sponsors included Descanso Restaurant, Morro Bay Oyster Company, Illumination Foundation Chef Bryan Stanlow, Sojourn Cellars, Fairwinds Estate Winery, Wayne Family Estate Wines, Jacqueline DuPont-Carlson and Alison Hoeven, Tequila Comisario, Illumination Foundation board members and City of Hope.

Chef’s Table was co-chaired by DuPont-Carlson and Jordan, both Illumination Foundation board members.

Tru Giving

NEWPORT BEACH — Trumark Homes announced in March a gift of $120,000 to Charity: Water, a global nonprofit that provides clean and safe water to millions of people living without it around the world. This year’s contribution is a record-high donation by the homebuilder, which has supported the nonprofit since 2012, providing a cumulative amount of $575,000, with more than 16,000 people served by the water projects funded and built throughout Africa.

In the 12 years that Trumark Homes has supported Charity: Water, its contributions have funded 58 water projects across Africa from Ethiopia and Uganda to Malawi and Mozambique. The latest gift will fund the rehabilitation of 11 water wells in the southeastern African country of Mozambique, providing access to clean and safe drinking water to an estimated 3,575 people.

Trumark Homes has committed that for every 50 homes sold, they will work with Charity: Water to provide and serve approximately 200 people with fresh, clean water. In 2023, Trumark sold 766 homes across Northern, Central and Southern California, and Colorado, translating to 3,064 people served—the highest annual number to date.

The company’s announcement coincided with World Water Day on March 22, the global campaign aiming to unite countries worldwide around protecting and conserving the world’s most precious resource.

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Mentors, business leaders, and community champions of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast (BGC Central OC) gathered on March 10 for its seventh annual Women of Greatness Brunch & Bubbly event.

Held at Vea Newport Beach and presented by KPMG LLP, the brunch honored women who have impacted the lives of Orange County youth and their families.

The event raised $80,000, enabling BGC Central OC to enhance its programs and initiatives to support future female leaders at the club, including mentorship, and providing equitable access to mentors, resources and opportunities for young women.

Sponsors included KPMG, Joe MacPherson Foundation, Banc of California, Fifth Third Bank, Netwatch, Brown-Forman, Hyundai Capital America, First American Trust, J Williams Staffing, OC Growth Advisors and Spinnaker Investment Group.

The event featured a silent auction, brunch, live music, and presentations including a panel discussion led by keynote speaker Nada Lena Nasserdeen, founder and CEO, Rise Up for You, about the importance of mentorship and opportunities for growth.

KPMG accepted the Community Partner Award for its ongoing commitment over the last nine years to inspire change and empower future female leaders.

Yvonne Herrell, administrative manager, County of Orange Assessor’s Office, and member, BGC Central OC board of directors, received this year’s Woman of Greatness Award in recognition of her financial contributions and ongoing volunteerism.

Helping Always in Fashion

Childhelp’s 38th annual For the Love of a Child Fashion Show and Luncheon, sponsored by South Coast Plaza, welcomed 250 guests at the Balboa Bay Resort Balboa Bay Club on March 7.

The event raised more than $550,000 to help support Childhelp’s mission to address the immediate consequences of child abuse and create a foundation for long-term healing and prevention so children and families can lead healthier, more secure lives.

The ballroom at the Balboa Bay Resort was transformed into a high-fashion, flower-ladened runway space where guests enjoyed a showcase of spring fashions from top designers at South Coast Plaza including Bally, Lanvin, Max Mara, Missoni, Michael Kors Collection, Monique Lhuillier and Saks Fifth Avenue.

The event also featured raffle items provided by South Coast Plaza stores Buccellati, Roger Vivier, David Yurman, Louis Vuitton, Valentino and more.

Following the fashion show, guests were served a three-course lunch. Ale Boggiano and Jen Lilley, founders, Christmas is Not Cancelled, which offers an online opportunity for children to interact with their favorite celebrities, while craft making, baking, and other activities, received the Inspirational Award for their dedication and support of children in need.

Additional event donors included the Madeline and Marvin Gussman Family Foundation, the Crean Foundation and the Argyros Foundation.

Breakfast of Future Champions

More than 100 local professionals, entrepreneurs, nonprofit executives and philanthropists attended a working breakfast on March 7. It’s the first of a series of breakfast meetings hosted by the Institute for Community Impact, a program of the Passkeys Foundation, which are designed to help nonprofits reach their strategic goals by emphasizing collaborative problem-solving and innovative thinking.

The breakfast series is sponsored by Haskell & White, The Wooden Floor, Parentis Foundation, Revolution Office, First Bank, South County Outreach, HUB International, Success with Purpose and Human Options.

Collaborating sponsors included the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, Azusa Pacific University, and One OC, which helped promote and facilitate the event.

Wayne Pinnell, managing partner, Haskell & White, said: “We aim to bring together a
diverse mix of individuals at our sponsored table for each breakfast, ensuring a variety of perspectives are shared. It’s a win-win scenario where everyone, especially our community, benefits.”

The March breakfast was dedicated to helping Julie Hudash, founder, Team Kids and Scott Green, founder, Oscar & Ma, both Orange County-based nonprofits, create new ideas and connections for the social enterprise initiatives that each organization has built.

The event featured a success story from last year’s breakfast series. Tracey Hill, CEO, Child Creativity Lab, shared with the assembled participants that her organization has added 12 new corporate partners to support its mission and created three times the number of STEAM Creativity Building kits this past year after sharing its mission with the Institute.

The breakfast series will hold its second and third installments for 2024 on June 18 and Sept. 11.

Bits & Pieces

Dragon Kim Foundation has selected 131 teens from California, Arizona and Nevada to participate in the 2024 Dragon Kim Fellowship Program, a social entrepreneurship incubator for high school youth, which encourages teens to channel their talents and interests into a community service project by offering them leadership training, hands-on guidance from invested professionals, and providing grants of up to $5,000 to ensure the students can implement their projects which include academics, arts, athletics, environmental, financial literacy and health.

The Orange County Community Foundation has elected three new members to its board of governors, including Anna Escobedo Cabral, who served as Treasurer of the United States from 2005 to 2009 and co-founder, The Cabral Group; Tam Nguyen, owner, Advance Beauty College, who has held numerous leadership roles, including chairing the board of the Orange County Transportation Authority with a $1.7 billion budget; and Fram Virjee, who served as president of California State University, Fullerton from 2018 to 2023—leading a campus of more than 40,000 students with an operating budget of over half a billion dollars.

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The Boeing Company has made a $100,000 grant to Girls Inc. of Orange County.
The grant supports several Girls Inc. of Orange County’s programs including SMART Girls, which focuses on nurturing Girls Inc. of Orange County’s STEM kindergarten through college; Eureka, a middle school summer camp and year-round program aimed at igniting curiosity and passion for STEM subjects; College Bound, which is geared toward high school students and provides essential resources and guidance to navigate the college application process; Girls Meet the Workforce, a high school initiative preparing young women for the transition into the workforce, equipping them with essential skills and knowledge; and Project Accelerate, a program tailored for collegiate students, providing support and resources to excel in higher education and beyond.

Another aspect of this grant is the inaugural Boeing & Girls Inc. Virtual Networking Career Panel. This virtual event will connect high school and collegiate girls from Girls Inc. of Orange County with Boeing professionals, offering valuable insights and guidance to explore various career opportunities and paths within the aerospace industry.

“Forging partnerships with organizations like Girls Inc. and supporting impactful programs helps enable these future leaders in STEM to hone their skills, pursue their dreams, and leverage their passion to launch their dreams,” said Adam Galia, government and community relations specialist, Boeing. “Together, we’re building bridges to a world where every girl can thrive and contribute to shaping the next great technology of tomorrow.”

Best Table in the House

The Saddleback College Foundation and Pascal Culinary Arts Scholarship Program hosted their annual culinary event, Table for Ten, on March 3 at Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel.
The event raised $300,000 to support the Pascal Culinary Arts Scholarship Program at Saddleback College Culinary Arts School. The program creates life-changing financial grants for culinary arts students in Orange County.

Table for Ten showcased more than 40 of Orange and LA counties’ top chefs, each of whom orchestrated and prepared multi-course dinners tableside for tables of 10 guests. Each group of 10 diners enjoyed a meal different from other tables in the room, including wine pairings with each course and individualized, elaborate table décor created by each chef’s restaurant.

Participating chefs and restaurants included Paul Bauer, Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel; Annie Morgan; Backstage-A-Fare; Prabeen Prathapan, Balboa Bay Resort; Kevin Jones, Cannery Newport Beach; Jose Angulo, Descanso Mexican Restaurant; Ben Martinek, Pendry Newport Beach; Ugo Allesina, Prego Restaurant; Bert Agor Jr., Roy’s Restaurants; Lisa Inlow and Pascal Olhats, Saddleback College Culinary Arts School; Peter Moon, Seabutter; Ron Fougeray, Splashes, Surf & Sand Resort; Kyle St. John, The Ranch Laguna Beach; and Yvon Goetz, The Winery Restaurant.

Babcock, Daou, Dierberg, Duckhorn, Earl Stevens Wine, Crown Point, Hi-Time Wine Cellars, JCB Wines, Justin Wines, Levendi Winery, Melville, Martinelli Vineyards, and Munselle Vineyards were among the wineries that provided the wines for dinner.

Before dinner, Table for Ten offered a cocktail reception with samples of various cuisines, wines and craft cocktails. Reception sponsors included Brewery X, Earl Stevens Winery, Golden Eagle Vodka, Hetchy Vodka, Hi-Time Wine Cellars, JCB Wine, Kuiper Belt, Lava Craft Cocktails and Los Sundays Tequila.

Reception chefs included Antonio Cardenas, Cali Dining; Enrique Valenzuela, C’est La Vie; Brooke Cazier, Flaky Apple Pie Co.; Jonathan Perez, Macheen Food Events; Lindsay Smith and Nirvana Kitchen + Pantry.

Table for Ten’s title sponsor was Mary Murfey, CEO and owner, Corning Advisors. Other sponsors included Golden Eagle Vodka, Melissa’s Variety Produce, Moongoat Coffee Roasters, Nestlé Waters, Santa Ana Sweets, Sugar + Grain and Sugared & Spice. Bluedoor Magazine and Chop-It-Up Podcast were the media sponsors.

Revamped and Renewed

California Love Drop, ViewSonic, Spark of Love, and the Huntington Beach Fire Outreach Foundation have come together to update the Boys & Girls Club of Huntington Valley Pacific Life Foundation branch’s education and teen centers.

ViewSonic is donating computer monitors to refresh the Education Center and Teen Center at the Boys & Girls Club and Spark of Love and the Huntington Beach Firefighters Outreach Foundation have contributed new computers.

The club, located on the Golden West College campus, hosted a celebration on Feb. 28 to unveil the new computer equipment. California Love Drop, Wahoo’s Fish Taco, Yogurtland, and Monster Energy donated more than 300 meals for the event.

“We take great pride in our partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley and are even more delighted that we can contribute ViewSonic monitors to their education center,” said Jeff Volpe, president, ViewSonic Americas. “Thanks to the newly revamped education center, these students will have access to cutting-edge technologies benefiting their homework, school projects and gaming experiences.”

Bits & Pieces

Anaheim Family YMCA’s capital campaign, led by the YMCA capital task force, comprised of board members and business leaders including Larry Mandell, Pacific Genesis Inc.; Nicole Provansal, Angels Baseball; Richard Dutch, 3MHealthcare; Victoria Torres, Samueli Foundation, and Brent Finlay, president/CEO, Anaheim Family YMCA, has raised $7.8 million toward its goal of $15 million, which will enable the nonprofit to expand its existing complex to include a new basketball court, multi-purpose space, group-exercise room, pickleball courts, additional parking, sports-performance center, Ducks street hockey rink, and meeting spaces, with construction scheduled to be completed in June 2026.

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C.W. Driver Cos.’s Reach program donated more than $350,000 in monetary and in-kind donations in 2023 to more than 40 charities throughout Orange, Los Angeles, and San Diego counties, and the Inland Empire.

Reach, which was founded in 2011, also provides C.W. Driver’s 350 employees with opportunities to enhance communities by performing community service and supporting charitable organizations.

Organizations that have received monetary, in-kind, and/or volunteer support from the group include CHOC Children’s Hospital, City of Hope, American Heart Association, American Red Cross, Thomas House, Families Forward, Mary’s Kitchen, Human Options, Project Hope Alliance and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

The program “provides our employees the opportunity to plug into the communities we build in and enact real change,” said Karl Kreutziger, president, C.W. Driver.

“I am proud to say that every employee has a hand in [Reach], which shows that C.W. Driver Cos. cares deeply about enhancing not only the communities around us, but the lives of our employees themselves.”

Since 2019, C.W. Driver employees have volunteered more than 14,500 hours through the program. Volunteer activities include providing sustenance to families struggling with food insecurity, delivering essentials to individuals struggling with homelessness, supporting critically ill children and women transitioning out of domestic violence, and building a new home with Habitat for Humanity.

Read All About It

The Newport Beach Public Library Foundation and the City of Newport Beach broke ground on a $23 million lecture hall called Witte Hall. Witte Hall is named in recognition of a donation from William Witte, chairman and chief executive, Related California, president, Witte-Sakamoto Family Foundation, and his wife, Keiko Sakamoto, attorney, chief financial officer and secretary, Witte-Sakamoto Family Foundation.

Designed by architectural firm Robert R. Coffee Architect + Associates, the hall will run nearly 10,000 square feet, be technologically advanced, and count tiered seating for 299 guests, as well as be fully ADA compliant.

Originally proposed by the Newport Beach Public Library Board of Trustees in July 2019, the lecture hall is being financed through a cost-sharing agreement between the city and Newport Beach Public Library Foundation.

Jill Johnson-Tucker, philanthropist and member, Newport Beach Public Library Foundation Board of Directors, is chairing the capital campaign, Beyond Books, to fund 50% of the cost of the building.

The Witte Hall groundbreaking ushers in the second phase of the Beyond Books capital campaign for Witte Hall. Its goal for the second phase of the campaign is to raise an additional $4 million to complete its pledge to raise 50% of the total cost of the hall from the philanthropic community.

AMG & Associates Inc. of Santa Clarita will build the facility. Construction is expected to take about 21 months and be completed by early 2026.

Located next to the Central Library, Witte Hall will also include an expanded courtyard, now named the Stahr Courtyard, with a major gift from Elizabeth Stahr, Newport Beach philanthropist and the founder of the Library Foundation.

Providing Hope

Following a four-year hiatus, the Catholic Charities of Orange County’s (CCOC) 2024 Mardi Gras Gala took place on Feb. 10 at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach.

The sold-out event drew nearly 350 guests, who ensured the event surpassed its fundraising goals, officials said. The proceeds benefit the CCOC New Hope Counseling Center, which offers therapy for issues such as anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma and life transitions to those in need.

Gala sponsors included Michele and Vincent Cortes, Pam and Al Baldwin, 608 Dahlia, Kathy and Gary Manulkin/Manulkin, Tanner & Associates, Insperity, Diocese of Orange, Investing for Catholics and OLLV Foundation.

As guests arrived at the venue, which was outfitted in colorful Mardi Gras-themed décor, they were greeted by Mardi Gras stilt walkers and St. Anne Catholic School’s mariachi band. The Mater Dei High School jazz band played as guests entered the ballroom, where they were served a plated dinner and live music.

The evening honored Vincent and Michele Cortes, co-founders, Vincor Construction, for their impactful contributions to CCOC, and Alan Smith, founder, Aloha Urban Farming, and Joan Steen, former senior project manager, Pimco, for their contributions to CCOC’s Garden of Hope program, which educates community members about the importance of nutrition, how to grow organic vegetables, greens, and herbs, and how to cook healthy meals using garden-grown ingredients.

Other special guests included Most Rev. Kevin Vann, J.C.D., D.D., Bishop of Orange; Very Rev. Angelos Sebastian, vicar general; Father Mike Rizzo, chairman of the board, CCOC Board of Trustees; and Al Baldwin, chief executive, Baldwin & Sons.

Bits & Pieces

Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF) has awarded nearly $200,000 in grant funds to recipients of its 2024 Innovative Grants Program, including 11 projects that range from STEM equipment to digital systems fostering positive behavioral growth, an Esports Lab sparking competitive spirit, and communication devices promoting equity and inclusion throughout its schools.

In February, Umpqua Bank, based in Newport Beach, donated $5,000 to the J. F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center in San Juan Capistrano, which serves people with disabilities who can benefit from therapeutic rides and activities centered on horses.

Farmhouse Rescue, a working farm which provides therapeutic experiences for individuals to heal and find purpose and a connection to farm animals and the land, partnered with the Transcatheter Mitral and Tricuspid Therapies business unit of Edwards Lifesciences to pack 100 Smile Boxes, each containing a stuffed animal, a Farmhouse Rescue hat, letter writing sets, and other items, for children at CHOC who are starting their cancer treatments in the hospital.

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Crisp Imaging’s Chief Executive Gary Crisp and his son Carter Crisp, vice president of marketing, hosted the company’s 13th Super Bowl Party for 500 members of the military and other guests at the American Legion Newport Harbor Post 291 in Newport Beach.

In addition to 300 active-duty Marines bused from Camp Pendleton, the Crisps hosted dozens of veterans of battles dating as far back as WWII.

“We do this to express our gratitude to members of our military forces for all they have done to make our country what it is,” Gary Crisp said.

“It gives us such joy to greet the young Marines as they get off the buses and to see them laughing, singing, dancing, eating, playing games and enjoying the day together. I especially love seeing the older veterans sharing their stories and tips with the young recruits. It’s an honor to bring them all together in a day meant to be pure fun for them.”

As they watched the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers on seven jumbo flat-screen TVs, guests were treated to prime rib, pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks.

“What surprised me was they ate so much,” Crisp told the Business Journal. The crowd “finished 36 dozen donuts, 100 pizzas, prime rib, [and] lots of beer.”

Activities for guests included the opportunity to meet professional athletes, cruise Newport Harbor on yachts and electric boats, and take a limousine to The Wedge in Newport Beach.

Marines were offered therapeutic massages, chiropractic adjustments and haircuts.

Entertainment included the USC Marching Band, dancing spirit leaders from USC; several bands that performed surf music, blues and jazz; rappers Kurupt and Obie Trice; DJ Salam Wreck; a lucha libre Mexican-style wrestling show; and a magician.

As guests departed with prizes, Polynesian fire dancers performed, twirling flaming batons.

The event benefited the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group, whose mission is to provide support and outreach to the 5th MAR marines and sailors deployed from and stationed at Camp Pendleton and to their families.

Event sponsors included the Stanley W. Ekstrom Foundation, Monster Energy, Valley Family Trust, Kyocera, Burnham Ward Properties, Earth X, R.D. Olson, Eagle Four Partners, The Balboa Bay Club, Tangram, Challenge Sales, Bowermaster Insurance, DeLillo Chevrolet, McCarthy Construction, Honey Baked Ham and MK Electric.

Dreams, Under Construction

Habitat for Humanity Orange County (Habitat OC) held its annual Building Dreams Breakfast on Feb. 8 at Singleton Classics in Costa Mesa.

The breakfast was attended by more than 150 Orange County community leaders, supporters and volunteers.

The event raised more than $400,000. The funds will support future homebuilding expenses, including land acquisition, architects, design fees, permits, interior and exterior construction materials and labor to build new homes.

The event honored Charles Antis, founder and chief executive, Antis Roofing & Waterproofing and board member, Habitat OC; and John Boyle, president, CEO, Automobile Club of Southern California. Michael Valentine, president and CEO, Habitat OC, welcomed attendees including Habitat homeowners, the Martinez family, and the Crispin family, which owns a Habitat for Humanity home and works for the Automobile Club of Southern California.

“As we strive toward a 100-homebuilding pipeline over the next two years, events like the annual Building Dreams Breakfast bring us closer to the reality of being able to change hundreds of lives through affordable homeownership,” Valentine said.

“Homeownership changes lives and through our invaluable community partnerships with Singleton Classics, Automobile Club of Southern California, Charles Antis, John Boyle and so many more, we are bringing people together to ignite the hope that everyone can have a safe and affordable place to call home in Orange County.”

Building Dreams Breakfast was sponsored by the Automobile Club of Southern California and Will and Cary Singleton, owners, Singleton Classics. Additional supporters at the Buildings Dreams Breakfast included Bill Shopoff, president and CEO, Shopoff Realty Investments; Sally Anne Sheridan, former mayor of Irvine; Don Sheridan, president, Design and Review Board, Laguna Beach; Leahann Miller, director, marketing, Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza; Greg Bloom, vice president, national and strategic accounts, Beacon Supply; Greg Morrow, sales representative, Eagle Roofing; Carl Trustee, CEO, Global Alliance Technologies; and Kelly Taylor, CEO, MetWest.

Total Commitment

Total Environmental Management Inc. (TEM) donated $87,500 to Olive Crest this month to support Olive Crest’s Transitional Age Youth programs, which help ensure young people aged 16-25 who are aging out of the child welfare system are equipped to navigate the responsibilities of independence through education, counseling, mental health treatment and with life skills including job training and financial literacy.

TEM “is proud to be a part of the solution and to support such a worthy and meaningful mission,” said Curtis Scheetz, owner, TEM, a heating and cooling company based in Anaheim. “Thank you, Olive Crest, for all you do in the community!”

Transitional Age Youth services allow teens and young adults to survive and flourish, bettering their lives despite complex home dynamics including parental imprisonment, a lifetime spent in foster care, poverty, homelessness, abuse and neglect.

The company’s support “demonstrates a shared commitment to equipping and empowering young individuals during a pivotal phase in their lives,” said Donald Verleur, chief executive, Olive Crest. “Together, we are paving the way for brighter possibilities, ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.”

Bits & Pieces

On Feb. 12 at The Cove at the University of California, Irvine, the OC STEM Initiative, in partnership with Cox Communications, honored 12 outstanding STEM educators in Orange County for their ability to innovate, engage, motivate, and inspire learners, with each awardee receiving a gift of $500, and their respective organizations will receive an additional $1,500 grant to support STEM activities. …

Art & Creativity for Healing and the Orange County Department have partnered to provide Art4Healing through ongoing weekly workshops for teens in all 24 ACCESS (Alternative, Community, and Correctional Education Schools and Services) schools throughout Orange County, where students are led through abstract art exercises in a safe and supported space allowing for reflection on their individual experiences, frustrations and struggles which include exposure to drugs and alcohol, peer pressure, teen pregnancy, bullying, depression and low self-esteem. …

Since opening in Orange County in 2018, Chrysalis has partnered with outside employers including American Family Housing, Caltrans, the State of California’s Clean California Program, CalOptima, Disneyland Resort, Illumination Foundation, Jamboree Housing, and Thermal-Vac Technology to help more than 1,500 individuals find employment, with many participating in the Chrysalis partner Orange County United Way’s UpSkill workforce development program, which supports underemployed and unemployed adults as they move from unemployment or low-wage positions into long-term, livable wage, middle-skill occupations.

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Orange County United Way and Working Wardrobes are the Bank of America 2023 Neighborhood Builders awardees, recognized for their work advancing economic mobility and building up underserved neighborhoods in Orange County.

Each organization will be awarded a $200,000 grant over two years, as well as leadership training for an executive director and an emerging leader on topics ranging from increasing financial sustainability, human capital management and strategic storytelling, and the opportunity to join a national network of peer organizations.

“This funding comes at a vital time for both nonprofits as they adapt their services and leadership to address evolving needs. Providing flexible funding and leadership training not only positions them for sustainable, long-term success but demonstrates our commitment to creating real change in the places where we live and work,” said Allen Staff, president, Bank of America Orange County.

The Neighborhood Builders program is one of the largest philanthropic investments in nonprofit leadership development in the nation. The program is invitation-only and the winning nonprofits are selected by a committee comprised of community leaders and past Builders awardees.

“It’s through partnerships like the one we have with Bank of America that we’re able to provide the resources people need to achieve self-sufficiency,” said Bonni Pomush, chief executive, Working Wardrobes.

“Each person we help to harness their abilities uplifts them and their family, a neighborhood, our community. That’s not one life changing, that’s the foundation for world healing.”

Foundation for the Future

The Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) is seeing some changes as it celebrates its 35th anniversary this year.

One of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing community foundations, OCCF recently surpassed $1 billion in cumulative granting since its inception. The foundation stewards more than $600 million in charitable assets through 640 funds benefiting a wide range of causes and has led critical initiatives to build a stronger Orange County community.

“Ranking in the top 1% in grantmaking and top 7% in asset size among nearly 800 U.S. community foundations, we are on a trajectory of unmatched growth thanks to our exemplary leadership team,” said Shelley Hoss, chief executive, OCCF.

To ensure that OCCF continues to build a strong foundation for the future, key leadership roles have been restructured to leverage the skills of each of OCCF’s senior leaders, effective Jan. 1.

Hoss remains the organization’s CEO, focusing on supporting OCCF’s board, key partners and donors, and community leaders to amplify philanthropic impact in Orange County.

Tammy Tumbling, who counted over 20 years of leadership experience when she joined the foundation as executive vice president and chief operating officer in 2019, has been promoted to president to lead organization-wide operations to ensure that OCCF achieves its strategic vision and goals.

Cathleen Otero, with 10 years of leadership at OCCF, succeeds Tumbling as chief operating officer to continue to elevate OCCF’s donor and community engagement platform and provide leadership to the foundation’s ongoing innovation and technology transformation.

Tracy Branson, OCCF’s chief financial officer of more than 33 years, remains in her role providing leadership of the foundation’s finance, accounting, audit and investment functions.

“OCCF is building on our strong history to elevate donor experience and philanthropic innovation and excellence throughout Orange County and beyond,” said Rachid Chamtieh, partner, Deloitte & Touche and chairman, board of governors, OCCF.

“We are thrilled to have leaders who are so passionate about the foundation’s vision and work during such a pivotal time.”

International Perspective

The World Affairs Council of Orange County (WACOC) held its 2023 gala at the Westin Orange County on Dec.16.

The sold-out event drew 460 guests for a night of live music featuring Brandon Bernstein, an upright bassist, a three-course dinner, and international programming featuring a discussion with Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, the former national security advisor.

The discussion was moderated by Jerry Braakman, president and chief investment officer, First American Trust, and was followed by an audience Q&A session.

The gala included a silent auction featuring cultural gift baskets and items from consulates spanning 11 countries, international trips, artwork and much more. Bidders vied for food, wine, arts, clothing and more baskets donated by Southern California consulates and local donors.

The interactive auction raised $7,000 while introducing guests to new cultures.

The gala raised $61,000, which contributes to providing future events on international topics for Orange County and supports WACOC’s youth global education initiatives.

Sponsors included the Mark Chapin Johnson Foundation, First American Trust, Advanced Office, Chapman University, Orange County Business Council, Pacific Symphony, R&D Medical Products, the Consulate General of the State of Qatar and Zion Enterprises.

Bits & Pieces

Reimagine, a nonprofit serving people with disabilities throughout their lifespan, raised more than $15,000 at its recent inaugural Casino Night, which was sponsored by Farmers & Merchants Bank, City Lift, and Village Family Dental, among others.

On Jan. 23, The NAMM Foundation made a $10,000 donation to Sunkist Elementary during its Day of Service, which included NAMM volunteers as well as executives from Yamaha Corp., White House of Music, and Ted Brown Music and more participating in music-related workshops for school students.

South Coast Plaza, Haskell White, Delectable OC, Bank of America, Capital Group and the Peter & Ginny Ueberroth Family Foundation are among the 2023-2024 season sponsors for the Laguna Playhouse, which premiered “Ain’t Misbehavin,’ The Fats Waller Musical Show,” on Jan. 28 to a sold-out opening night crowd.

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Nowadays, Zhang, who runs Laguna Niguel-based investment company Zion Enterprises, is deeply involved in local philanthropy, having donated $5 million to the Orange County Music & Dance, $1 million to California State University, Fullerton and $2 million to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library, where he is treasurer of its board of directors.

“America raised me up,” Zhang told the Business Journal in a recent email.

“I am so honored and pleased to make donation to community and nonprofit organizations.”

Zhang is one of several immigrants and their families who have built successful careers and companies in Orange County, and who have given millions of dollars in recent years to local groups to show their appreciation.

Several of those donations are highlighted in the Business Journal’s list of the Largest Charitable Gifts of 2023; see page 16 for more.

Topping the latest list is Peggy and Andrew Cherng, founders of Rosemead’s Panda Express, who made a “transformative” $100 million donation to the City of Hope, which is building a $1.5 billion campus in Irvine.

“As immigrants, we recognize the privilege we’ve been afforded from our communities and want to give back and provide opportunities to those we serve,” said the Cherngs, who are reported to own a secondary home at the oceanfront Strand at Headlands neighborhood in Dana Point.

“Giving reflects our family’s personal values of care, compassion, stewardship and service.”
The following highlight large area donors in 2023 who came to America as immigrants and found success.

Kingston’s Giving Duo

Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian last year broke ground on the Sun Family Campus, a new six-building campus in Irvine, for which David and Diana Sun announced a $50 million donation in 2022.

David Sun, who emigrated from Taiwan, is the co-founder of Fountain Valley’s Kingston Technology, the second-biggest private company in Orange County, generating more than $16 billion in sales in 2022.

“In 1977, David and Diana Sun emigrated from Taiwan to America as a young married couple in pursuit of a new life with greater opportunity,” said the Sun Family Foundation webpage. “Shortly thereafter, they settled in Orange County where they put down roots and raised their two children. For the past 40 years, they have proudly called Orange County their home.”

Kingston Technology has also partnered with Hoag Classic annual golf tournament to fund $70,000 annually to support a Hoag Scholarship for non-nursing employees.

Linksys Founders’ Local Giving

The Tsao Family Foundation donated $2 million last year to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, which is using the funds to open 17 “WellSpaces” at schools in Irvine to promote mental well-being.

The foundation has given a variety of donations over the years to several organizations, including more than $8 million to CHOC.

“Giving back to Orange County makes a lot of sense because you touch and feel when you give,” Janie Tsao told the Business Journal.

After she and her husband, Victor, emigrated from Taiwan, they began Linksys, a home networking computer company that they eventually sold for about $500 million in 2003.

Over the years, she’s been inspired by other donors such as the Sun Family Foundations’ work for Hoag in Irvine and the effort by local medical facilities to combat cancer.

“Even though our roots are different and we’re from a different country, once you are building your career and your business and your family, you think of this as your land,” she said.

“It’s important that we contribute because this land is our land as well.”

Holistic Oncology Program

Peggy and Andrew Cherng, who opened their first Panda Express restaurant in 1973 in Pasadena, have built it to the largest Chinese chain in the U.S. with 2,200 doors, 40,000 employees and more than $3 billion in annual sales.

City of Hope said last year’s $100 million donation from the family will create a first-of-its-kind oncology program that brings together Eastern and Western medicines, using practices like acupuncture.

“Panda’s values and our family’s values are about taking the best of Eastern heritage and Western upbringing to benefit the people around us,” Peggy Cherng said in a statement last year.

Peggy was born in Burma, what is now called Myanmar, while Andrew, the son of a chef, was born in China.

“This gift focuses on what is possible when Western medicine’s ability to cure the disease is combined with Eastern medicine’s role in restoring the body to holistically heal cancer patients.”

Along with the Cherng’s donation, City of Hope Orange County also received a $2 million gift from Roberta Simmons-Wong, a daughter of immigrants and an Orange County resident, whose late husband supported research at its campus in Duarte.

$50M and Counting

The Chao family has been among the larger backers of UCI Health in recent years.

The family emigrated from Taiwan, then founded and built Watson Pharmaceuticals into a $3 billion firm; it was eventually renamed Activis, acquired Irvine’s Allergan and then was bought by Abbvie in 2020.

Since their first gifts in 1995, three generations of Chaos have given more than $50 million to UCI Health to improve cancer research and treatment in Orange County.

The most recent donation resulted in the naming of the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ambulatory Care building, which is scheduled to open this year as a five-story tower with 225,000 square feet at UCI Health’s new medical campus off Jamboree Road.

“Doing good in our community has always been very important to our family,” Allen Chao, the founder of Watson Pharmaceuticals, said in 2021. “It’s a value passed down to us from our matriarch and patriarch, Hsu Hwa Chao and Hsi Hsiung Chao.”

UCI Health successfully treated Allen Chao in 1999 for stomach cancer.

Striking Gold in Granite

Indian immigrants Manu and Rika Shah in 1975 started a granite import business in the basement of their home in Fort Wayne, Ind.

While still operating out of their basement, in 1981 they secured the contract to supply the black granite for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. They moved to Southern California in 1984 to be closer to the West Coast ports.

Their Orange-based MS International, which supplies flooring and countertops, is the 10th largest privately owned firm in Orange County with an estimated $2.7 billion in sales in 2022.

The family began the Shah Happiness Foundation, which supports causes such as early childhood education, healthcare and well-being, and employment generation. It partners with organizations to make a fundamental shift in the quality of life of individuals with leapfrogging ideas.

Last year, it gave $3 million to Chapman University to endow a chair to highlight local and national leaders who have successfully applied high-tech thinking to low-tech industries. The university recently named a room, the Shah Happiness Room for Innovativeness, located in Beckman Hall.

It also gave another $1.5 million to the Illumination Foundation to provide two emergency shelters for families. Each shelter will provide a home for up to eight families, including up to 20 children, at a time and aim to serve approximately 30-40 families each year.

“Here are the short reasons why we are doing this; God and America have given us a lot beyond our needs; positive feelings generated by giving helps us even more; and every time we give, we realize how fortunate we are,” Manu Shah told the Business Journal.

“The impact that two individuals can make in their community and beyond, is driven by gratitude, a sense of responsibility, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of others.

“Our philanthropy serves as an inspiration to others. By leading by example, we motivate our community, peers, and future generations to also engage in acts of kindness and generosity,” he said.

Manu Shah nowadays calls himself the “Chief Giving Officer” at MS International. Last year, he handed the CEO title to share between his two sons, Rupesh and Raj.

UCI’s Draw

The University of California, Irvine has in recent years received several multimillion-dollar gifts from immigrants, or their children, who have done well in the U.S.

Among them are Lester and Vani Ng, who donated $5 million to establish and endowed chair in biological sciences at UCI. The award, No. 13 on this week’s list (see page 16), was in honor of Lester’s parents, Dr. Lionel and Fay Ng.

“I’m thrilled this gift honors my parents who taught me the value of education and research,” said Lester Ng, a 1994 graduate of UCI.

In 2021, the Falling Leaves Foundation donated $30 million for a planned state-of-the-art, 215,000-square foot medical research facility that’s well under way; see page 1 for more.

The foundation is headed in part by Adeline Yen Mah, a doctor who practiced in Orange County, and who is the author of “Falling Leaves,” a best-selling autobiography about growing up in Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Grateful for Parents

The Joe C. Wen & Family UCI Health Center for Advanced Care, now under construction along Jamboree Road, will feature 168,000 square feet in a five-story medical facility.

It will offer adult and pediatric specialty care, with a Center for Children’s Health, including Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders. It’s scheduled for completion this spring, also at the school’s new medical campus.

Wen emigrated from Taiwan as a teenager with his parents. The family’s early years in America were difficult and Wen’s parents worked blue-collar jobs to support the family.
“Wen is grateful to his parents, who sacrificed everything they had in Taiwan in order to move to the United States to provide a better life for their children,” according to a UCI statement.

Wen went on to found Sakura Paper, now a division of Formosa Ltd. He’s been an active investor in local commercial real estate of late, buying several office towers.

He donated $20 million in 2022 to UCI Health.

“UCI Health transforms lives everyday thanks to its leading-edge academic research, advanced medical facilities, and—most importantly—passionate and top-notch medical professionals,” Wen said at the time.

“There’s no doubt that the new medical center in Irvine will have a tremendously positive impact on the community. My family members and I are honored and humbled to be able to help.”

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MemorialCare has awarded nearly $200,000 in grants to the recipients of MemorialCare’s Community Benefit Grants Program for fiscal year 2024.

The company said that each of the 17 grant beneficiaries went through a rigorous evaluation and review process, focused on addressing key health priorities identified by MemorialCare’s four hospitals, which include Long Beach Medical Center, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach, Orange Coast Medical Center, and Saddleback Medical Center.

The applications were reviewed and voted on by each hospital’s Community Benefit Oversight Committee.

Grant winners are Century Villages at Cabrillo, My Sister My Friend Breast Cancer Support, Lutheran Social Services of Southern California, The LBGTQ Center Long Beach, Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach, BreastfeedLA, Long Beach Bar Foundation, The Guidance Center, Tichenor Clinic for Children, Casa Teresa, Hope Harbor, Meals on Wheels Orange County, Orange County Rescue Mission, Camino Health Center, Casa Youth Shelter, The Foundation of Laguna Woods and Western Youth Services.

“Supporting organizations that are closest to our vulnerable communities that may likely become patients, helps them provide health education around preventative care, such as routine screenings like mammographs and the importance of flu shots,” said Barry Arbuckle, Ph.D., president and CEO, MemorialCare. “All of (these) can help change and even save a life.”

Keeping Communities Healthy

In December, Kaiser Permanente Orange County announced that the organization had distributed more than $602,000 in community health grants to local organizations in 2023, including Abound Food Care, Mercy House Living Centers, Friendship Shelter Inc., Goodwill Industries of Orange County, Wellness & Prevention Foundation and AIDS Services Foundation Orange County.

“Kaiser Permanente is committed to creating healthier communities in Orange County,” said Payman Roshan, senior vice president and area manager, Kaiser Permanente Orange County.

“Through our Community Health Program, we’ve invested millions of dollars throughout the years to local organizations whose missions are in close alignment with ours, which aim to improve the quality of life in our communities.”

The funds provide disadvantaged populations with access to free high-quality health care services; strengthen medical and supportive services for individuals living with and affected by HIV and make available healthy nutritious meals for those who live with food insecurity.

In addition, the money also helps homeless adults seeking resources, education, and support that will result in a housing placement; and improved mental and behavioral health services.

Partnering for Empowerment

Mountain View Services Inc. (MVS), a supplier to healthcare facilities based in Newport Beach, has partnered with Junior Achievement Orange County & the Inland Empire (JA) to provide the nonprofit with free office space.

The open-ended donation of the space, which was initiated in 2023 and has an estimated yearly value of $20,000 plus expenses, supports JA programs offered throughout both the Inland Empire and Orange County, including teaching teens and young adults how to make smart financial decisions through hands-on experiences, establishing a core foundation of skills while inspiring students to dream about their futures.

The partnership between MVS and JA is poised to play a crucial role in JA’s goal to expand its services to include the Inland Empire in addition to Orange County, extending beyond physical office space to symbolize a shared commitment and community support for youth empowerment.

“The collaboration with MVS exemplifies collaborative efforts between businesses and nonprofits, investing in the education and future of Inland Empire youth, aligning with Junior Achievement’s overarching mission and vision,” said Burgandie Onekea, regional vice president and executive director, JA.

In addition to MVS’s donation of office space to JA, company president and CEO, MVS, Eric Goodman, an active JA supporter since 2023 and frequent speaker at various school sites across Orange County, will expand his presentations in 2024 to include students at high schools in the Inland Empire.

Bits & Pieces

Illumination Foundation’s new family emergency home serving unhoused families, the Shah Happiness Home, supported by the Shah Happiness Foundation, opened in Orange County on Jan. 10 with a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony.

It will operate as a safe place for families experiencing homelessness to receive supportive services such as case management, connections to primary care, health screenings, parenting education, tutoring and other enrichment programming in a home setting on their journey to permanent housing. …

Orange County United Way has opened the Varanasi Equity Workspace, a new resource sponsored in part by Ingram Micro, Ware Malcomb, ViewSonic and Tangram Interiors, that will provide opportunities for organizations to meet, advance their purpose and capacity, and work together to affect equitable change in the community in a modern ADA-compliant space with room for up to 50 people and hybrid meeting technology for both in-person and virtual options. …

In celebration of National Mentoring Month, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire has announced its finalists for 2024 Bigs & Littles of the Year and 2024 Mentors of the Year, among them mentor Ivy Goodman, training specialist, The Walt Disney Company and mentor Tyler Castro, senior manager, business integration, Disneyland Resort, as well as Bigs & Littles of the Year from the broader community, local high schools and colleges.

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Friends of CASA, a membership auxiliary of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Orange County, hosted its annual holiday luncheon on Dec. 1 at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point. This year’s luncheon had a record-breaking net for the 10th year in a row, raising more than $640,000 that will go directly to supporting CASA’s mission of providing a voice and connection for children who have experienced abuse, neglect and abandonment.

Nearly 500 guests arrived at a reception featuring tray-passed champagne, a silent auction, and an opportunity drawing. Attendees could fulfill a wish for a child in foster care by purchasing ornaments placed on the Starfish Wish Trees, sponsored by Barclay Butera Interiors, which featured diverse wishes, including bicycles, barbie dolls, and day trips to Disneyland.

The luncheon took place after the reception and included a fashion show, which featured a preview of Givenchy’s Spring 2024 line. Following the event program, Givenchy showcased a pop-up shop featuring leather goods, shoes, and handbags with 10% of sales going back to CASA. Additionally, all CASA supporters who shopped at the South Coast Plaza Givenchy store could direct 10% of the sale back to the nonprofit through the end of 2023.

Event sponsors included Lugano Diamonds, Hyundai Capital America, Commercial Bank of California, The Watson Family Foundation, Moreno Family Foundation, and The Anthony and Carie Ferry Foundation. The Harry Bronson and Edith Knapp Foundation provided a $35,000 matching gift to all donations made to CASA.

The luncheon began as a Holiday Tea 28 years ago and has brought in more than $6.6 million since 1995.

Take That to the Bank

Second Harvest Food Bank held its 40th annual “No Lunch” Lunch event on Nov. 21 and netted $130,000 to fortify food and nutritional security for the average of 393,000 children, families, and seniors throughout Orange County that it serves each month.

Ralphs Grocery Company and Food 4 Less, divisions of The Kroger Co., were the event’s presenting sponsors.

The “No Lunch” Lunch served attendees a simple meal of soup, bread, and salad prepared and served by meal sponsors Antonio Cagnolo and Antonello Ristorante, rather than a multi-course high-end meal, as a metaphor meal reminding those who may not know the fear of food insecurity how precious a bowl of soup and a bit of lettuce can be.

During the luncheon, Second Harvest Food Bank shared the state of the food bank and debuted its 40th-anniversary commemorative documentary, which highlighted the ongoing efforts across Second Harvest’s four decades to ensure everyone in Orange County has consistent access to nutritious food.

“We cannot overlook the stark reality of the growing hunger gap. We are not only treating food insecurity but nutritional security as well,” said Bonilla Keller, CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank. “We can meet some of the demands through the scale and scope of our current farm programs where we have harvested 4.7 million pounds to date.”

Additional luncheon sponsors included Golden State Foods Foundation, Orange Aluminum, Disneyland Resort, Catalyst Clinical and Coding Analytics, Cirba Solutions, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Nationwide, and Superior Grocers.

Funding a Kure

Nearly 250 guests gathered on Nov. 4, at City National Grove of Anaheim for Kure It Cancer Research’s Let’s Save Lives Gala.

The event brought in more than $413,000, which will be used to fund lung cancer research. Event sponsors included Westport Properties and Briggs Electric Inc.

Guests enjoyed a silent auction with a selection of wines and spirits, as well as art and overnights at travel locations. Bally South Coast Plaza provided fashions for many board members and supporters to participate in a fashion show set up in front of the facility, before the event’s dinner and program.

During the program, Todd Perry, chief financial officer, Briggs Electric Inc., and board chair, Kure It Cancer Research, welcomed guests, including incoming board chair Julie Alai, executive coach.

Perry noted that Kure It directly funds researchers targeting underfunded cancers at many of the country’s top comprehensive cancer centers and provides grants in the $50,000 to $250,000 range to provide seed money to help get an innovative idea off the ground in hopes that larger funding can be secured to take the research to the next level. Perry then introduced Larry Zeiber, vice president, philanthropy, City of Hope of Orange County.

City of Hope is a cancer specialty hospital studying integrative therapies, with more than 800 clinical trials working to do so.

Dr. Danny Nguyen, physician, City of Hope, spoke about City of Hope’s advanced lung cancer treatment with clinical trials geared to have personalized treatments for each person.

A live auction followed the program, and included a Christmas tree, decorated at the winner’s home by Paul Fenner’s Floral Designs; a dinner package that included dining experiences at Knife Pleat, AnQi, and Calo Kitchen + Tequila; rounds of golf at Morgan Run Club & Resort and Goat Hill Park; and a Hawaiian getaway for six nights on Oahu.

Bits & Pieces

Last month, Working Wardrobes welcomed seven new board members to help guide the nonprofit’s mission of aiding individuals overcome barriers to gainful employment, including Erica Hansen, accounting executive with over 25 years of experience; Lynn Herrick, co-founder and chief operations officer, BluCrest; John Murray, managing director and portfolio manager, Pimco; Wendy Nicoson, vice president and plant general manager, Edwards Lifesciences; Carlos Oregon, CEO, Thinkbox Technology Group and COO, Thinkbox Construction Group; Sherrie Simmons, CEO and founder, SIMMS Solutions; and Ivo Tjan, founder, CommerceWest Bank.

The Dragon Kim Foundation, whose mission is to inspire its youth to impact their communities while discovering and pursuing their passions, received a $10,000 grant from Wingstop Charities in December. … Onehope Winery in Napa has partnered with Casa OC, with 10% of all sales being donated to Casa OC through Jan. 31.

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