Building Futures
Hundreds of commercial real estate professionals gathered at the Building Block Foundation Fund White Party on Aug. 23 at Newport Dunes in Newport Beach.
The annual fundraiser benefits Building Block, a nonprofit organization that brings together the commercial real estate industry to enhance the lives of at-risk youth.
Among Building Block’s longstanding charity partners are Project Access, HomeAid, Boys Hope Girls Hope, Everfree, The Joyful Child Foundation, KidWorks, Orangewood Children’s Foundation and Hope Builders.
This year’s event, supported by title sponsor CapRock Partners, raised nearly $140,000.
“At CapRock Partners, giving back to the communities in which we invest is ingrained in our corporate culture,” said Bob O’Neill, senior vice president of acquisitions at CapRock, a buyer and developer of industrial properties.
“When the opportunity arose for CapRock Partners to be the Title Sponsor of the 2023 Building Block Foundation Fund White Party, we didn’t hesitate to commit additional support to continue making a material difference in our community.”
Additional event sponsors include the Bascom Group, Panattoni, Scannell Properties, Eastdil Secured, Shopoff Realty Investments, Lido House Hotel, Rutan & Tucker, Cox, Castle & Nicholson and the Koll Company.
Jazz it Up
The 24th annual Eric Marienthal and Friends Concert benefiting the High Hopes Head Injury Program was held on July 16 at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach.
The nonprofit, which is dedicated to helping individuals recover from traumatic brain injuries, raised more than $120,000, with 700 guests.
Eric Marienthal, a Grammy Award-nominated contemporary saxophonist renowned for his contributions to jazz, jazz fusion, smooth jazz, and pop, kicked off the evening’s entertainment, performing songs “You Ga (Ta Give It),” “Two in One,” “Compared to What,” “Rio Frio” and “Babycakes.”
Lee Ritenour, a Grammy-winning musician, joined Marienthal as a special guest, performing “Lil’ Bumpin,” among others. R&B-influenced musician and actress Mary Desmond also took the stage.
Local sponsorship partners included H&H Lee Foundation, Lincoln Consulting Group, Xerox, the Tulsa Rib Co., Hyatt Regency Newport Beach and others.
“Through (our) Xerox Community Involvement program, Xerox has supported High Hopes Head Injury Program for over 10 years,” said Reed Cassity, vice president of U.S. Technical Services at Xerox.
Playtime at the Beach
Pretend City Children’s Museum hosted its Play by the Bay third annual Summer Soiree at the Balboa Bay Resort on July 27, raising $105,000 for early childhood development.
More than 150 attendees took part in activities—including Cornhole Antics and Fling the Ring wine toss—to support Pretend City’s mission of fostering healthy child development through play for young children of all backgrounds and abilities.
Play by the Bay was sponsored by Orange County Power Authority, Perigon Wealth Management, Ruth Bruno Real Estate, Caza Azul, Empirical Wealth Management, the Shah Family, the William Gillespie Foundation and others.
“An investment in our children means a safer, better, and more productive society for all,” said Erin Boyl, director of BMO Commercial Bank and board chair of Pretend City.
Pretend City Children’s Museum is an interactive, child-size city that encourages children to learn about the world and explore their curiosities and imaginations.
Bits & Pieces
The OC Auto Team, Chick-fil-A in Santa Ana, and others contributed more than 9,200 boxes of diapers and 1,800 packages of wipes to the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Christmas in July donation drive, helping the nonprofit reach halfway toward its year-end goal of collecting 20,000 boxes; donors are encouraged to drop off additional donations at the organization’s Tustin headquarters.
Families Forward announced it’s one of two Orange County-based nonprofits to have been awarded a grant of $500,000 from San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDGE) Community Assistance Fund and will utilize the funding to provide essential services to Orange County families in need.
More than 150 members and associates of Orange County’s Credit Union raised $22,700 through a fundraising campaign in honor of the 2023 CHOC Walk in the Park presented by Disneyland Resort to benefit Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), by spearheading a range of initiatives, including art, bake, and ice cream sales to members at various branches, silent auctions, and donations from friends and family through social media awareness, among other activities.
