Aliso Viejo-based Fluor Foundation donated $15,000 to Santa Ana-based MIND Research Institute.
The donation will help fund the institute’s effort to increase math proficiency in local elementary schools and provide students with the knowledge required for jobs in science, technology, engineering and math.
Fluor Foundation, the giving arm of Irving-Texas-based Fluor Corp., has donated $75,000 total to the initiative.
MIND Research Institute develops educational math software for schools.
Among recent charitable activities, the Fourth Annual Lobsterfest at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and Marina raised $12,000.
The money will fund Newport Beach-based Leadership Tomorrow scholarships and Tustin-based Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and Inland Empire.
Attendees at the annual lobster fest ate 900 pounds of Maine lobster, flown in on the day of the event.
Elsewhere, Santa Ana-based Ingram Micro Inc. donated $10,000 to the Special Olympics Southern California.
The presentation was part of Ingram Micro’s recent Associate Appreciation Day.
Local Chrysler auto dealerships participated in Irvine-based Orange County United Way’s Summer Week of Giving Drive, which collects clothing, school supplies and food, and donates the goods to families in need.
Participating dealers included McPeek’s Dodge of Anaheim in Costa Mesa, Orange Coast Chrysler Jeep Dodge and Orange Coast Fiat of Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Don-A-Vee Chrysler Jeep in Placentia, and Orange Coast Chrysler Jeep Dodge of San Juan Capistrano.
Stearns Feted
Orange County philanthropists Glenn and Mindy Stearns were among individuals and groups honored by Minnesota-based Starkey Hearing Foundation.
Glenn Stearns, founder and chairman of Stearns Corp., heads a group of financial-services companies in Santa Ana, including Stearns Lending Inc.
The foundation’s So the World May Hear Awards Gala—which raised $7.6 million—was attended by former president Bill Clinton, who served as a presenter, and Marlee Matlin, the organization’s national spokesperson, as well as actors Forest Whitaker, Chevy Chase and Robin Williams, retired baseball player Sammy Sosa and Tony Hawk.
The Starkey foundation donates 100,000 hearing aids annually through its Starkey Hearing Foundation, a member of Clinton’s Global Initiative.
Physicians Honored
Orange-based health insurer CalOptima recently honored doctors who provide healthcare services to Orange County residents in need.
CalOptima held the Circle of Care Awards event at the DoubleTree Hotel in Orange.
The 2012 Circle of Care Award recipients included more than 20 physicians and 11 organizations.
Big Target
Local auto dealers are seeking to raise more than $250,000 for sports, music and arts programs as well as student groups and clubs at Orange County schools.
The Newport Beach-based Orange County Automobile Dealers Association fundraiser allots students tickets to sell for the auto dealers’ annual Orange County International Auto Show, to be held Oct. 4 to 7 at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Last year, the program launched in Anaheim and raised $15,000.
Some of the many other fundraising events scheduled for fall and winter include:
n Fullerton-based Southern California College of Optometry’s Shared Visions Gala Auction and V-Awards, which will be held Sept. 20 at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda. The benefit will help fund eye care for children in need.
n Costa Mesa-based Girls Inc. of Orange County’s annual luncheon on Sept. 21 at the Westin South Coast Plaza. The event will fund scholarships for girls.
n Ladera Ranch-based Laura’s House’s annual gala on held Oct. 6 at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa.
Nikki Vargas, NBC bureau chief for OC, will emcee. The event will fund Laura’s House programs that help families who are victims of domestic abuse.
n Irvine-based Human Options Inc.’s fall fundraising luncheon will be held Oct. 18 at The Balboa Bay Club & Resort in Newport Beach.