Power of a Ripple
Working Wardrobes’ annual gala on Sept. 9 drew 340 guests to the Turnip Rose Promenade and Gardens in Costa Mesa and raised more than $430,000, which will fund Working Wardrobes’ clients’ journeys through the nonprofit’s Rebuilding Careers Program, which offers career readiness services, including résumé writing, mock interviews, workforce readiness classes, and professional wardrobing for job interviews.
The organization aims to help those reentering the workforce secure gainful and meaningful employment.
Themed The Power of the Ripple Effect, the sold-out gala celebrated the people, businesses, city officials and organizations that support Working Wardrobes and how this support creates “ripples” that positively impact the lives of the clients that the nonprofit serves.
Guests enjoyed a silent and live auction, a wine pull, a four-course meal, and an awards ceremony. The Boeing Company was named the Rebuilding Careers Coalition Honoree.
The company was a founding member of Working Wardrobes’ Rebuilding Careers Coalition.
Justin Frame, managing director and market head in Southern California for UBS, was also recognized for his years of service on the Working Wardrobes board and for his financial and volunteer support of Working Wardrobe’s Power Up for Success event, which took place in April.
This year’s gala sponsors included U.S. Bank, Optum, Boot Barn, Robert Half and Ingram Micro.
On a Mission
Mission Plasticos hosted its annual gala at Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach on Sept. 9.
The event was themed Celebration of Global Friendships: Emerald City.
The Wizard of Oz-inspired soiree raised $400,000 to support the nonprofit’s mission to provide free reconstructive surgery through a team of board-certified volunteer surgeons to the disenfranchised around the globe.
More than 300 guests walked the yellow brick road into the ballroom, which was transformed into the Emerald City. Attendees enjoyed a sit-down dinner, a live auction, and a paddle raise, then danced the night away to live music by N’Demand.
Each guest received swag bags which included items such as Judy: A Garland Fragrance by Vincenzo Spinnato, president and CEO, Cosmetic Chemist & Certified Nose, TurnKey Beauty Inc. & Vincenzo Skincare.
The evening included an award ceremony to acknowledge individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to Mission Plasticos’ mission.
Dr. Shankar Rai, a world-renowned Nepali surgeon who is an expert at repairing clefts and burn injuries, was recognized with the Global Humanitarian award and MTF Biologics received the Corporate Humanitarian award.
Event sponsors included Aivita Biomedical, Andrews & Thornton, Ben Crump Law, Brown Rudnick, Greenberg Gross, JLK Rosenberger, miraDry, MTF Biologics, Ocean Heights Advisors, Sientra, Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery and Zena Medical.
You Belong in the Zoo
On Aug. 19, more than 300 guests attended the 31st annual Zoofari gala, hosted by the Friends of Santa Ana Zoo, which took place outside and under the stars on the Santa Ana Zoo grounds.
The event netted more than $100,000 including almost $60,000 from the silent and live auction.
This year, Zoofari was themed Through the Looking Glass.
R.W.B. Party Rentals provided unique decorations with scenic designs reminiscent of Alice’s journey to find the white rabbit, including cutout large colorful directions and life-sized multicolored mushrooms. Many guests attended the gala in themed outfits.
Guests began the night greeted by animals including a centipede, an armadillo, and a blue-tongued skink and their docent handlers. Attendees were invited to tour the zoo grounds and visit its primate habitat.
The newly finished Butterfly Habitat was also open to Zoofari guests.
Henry DiCarlo, Emmy Award-winning meteorologist and sportscaster, KTLA 5 Morning News, served as emcee and auctioneer for the evening. After the live auction, guests danced to live music provided by Groove Factory.
“Zoofari’s contribution has been essential in generating the necessary funds for various exceptional projects and advancements at our beloved community Zoo,” said Cat Decker, executive director of the Friends of Santa Ana Zoo.
“These include educational initiatives, the creation of innovative animal habitats, and significant conservation undertakings.”
Zoofari Through the Looking Glass sponsors included James Howe on behalf of Bert L. Howe & Associates Inc., Santa Ana Police Officers Association, The Critter Care Center, City of Santa Ana, Hall Griffin LLP and U.S. Bank.
Bits & Pieces
On Sept. 30, volunteers and sponsors of Habitat for Humanity of Orange County came together with community members and local leaders, including Valerie Amezcua, mayor, Santa Ana; Katrina Foley, Supervisor Fifth District; and Vincente Sarmiento, Orange County Supervisor, to celebrate Santa Ana Dedication Day, where two local families received the keys and mortgages to their new Habitat OC homes, which are in Santa Ana’s historic Floral Park.
The sold-out 7th Annual Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament, held of Aug. 25 and hosted by Girls Inc. of Orange County and presented by Dads for Daughters, raised more than $73,000 to support to Girls Inc. programs that equip girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers and grow into healthy, educated and independent adults.
For the fifth time since 2017, Pacific Dental Services (PDS) has been recognized by the annual Civic 50 Orange County, receiving an award given to the top 50 most community-minded companies in the region, for PDS’s resource investment, integration across business functions, institutionalization through policies and systems, and the measurement of social impact.
