Leaders in Giving
The ninth Annual Leaders for Philanthropy Night was held on April 6 at the Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding in San Juan Capistrano. Hosted in association with Chapman University MBA Alumni Association, UCI Paul Merage School of Business alumni association and the OC alumni association of UCLA Anderson Alumni Network, among other groups, the event recognizes contributions of business leaders to support the community. More than 200 guests attended.
The evening’s highlight was the annual executive presentation. Each year, a high-level executive from a leading Orange County company is the featured speaker. Past presenters have included Michael A. Mussallem, chairman and chief executive of Edwards Lifesciences Corp.
This year, Jim Peterson, chairman of the board and chief executive of Microsemi Corp., gave the presentation.
The event, while not primarily a fundraiser, brought in more than $50,000. The majority of the funds came from the auction of a “Doti bowl.” Jim Doti, president emeritus of Chapman University, donated a ceramic bowl he made that was the centerpiece of a lively auction that eventually fetched $25,000.
Event proceeds support Shea Center’s therapeutic riding programs for the more than 860 children and adults with disabilities served annually.
Care, Support, Cure
Alzheimer’s Orange County held its 19th annual gala on March 25 at the Pelican Hill Golf Pavilion. “Care Support Cure”—for the organization’s three critical mission points—drew a crowd of nearly 300 supporters and raised a record-breaking $387,822.
The organization will direct the funds toward its no-cost care and support programs and services, as well as expand direct care services, such as its new adult day health care centers, to provide additional support for the 84,000 Orange County residents battling Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia.
During the program, Charles Antis of Antis Roofing & Waterproofing was named the organization’s Corporate Partner Honoree. Sponsors included The Iacocca Family Foundation; Irvine Cottages; Squar Milner Financial Services LLC; Frome Family Foundation; Antis Roofing & Waterproofing; Vista Gardens; Caring Companions at Home; and Farmers and Merchants Trust Co.
Heart for Fighting Disease
The 36th Annual Orange County Heart & Stroke Ball brought together influential leaders from the corporate, philanthropic and medical communities to raise funds and promote the work of the American Heart Association. The April 8 event took place at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel in Dana Point and raised more than $420,000 to fight cardiovascular disease and stroke.
The evening featured a cocktail reception and dinner, live entertainment and dancing, and live and silent auctions.
The theme of this year’s ball was “Color Your Life.” The American Heart Association incorporated the theme throughout the event and encouraged guests to brighten their lives with color by adding fruits and vegetables to their diets.
Futures for Families
Local executives rolled up their sleeves for the eighth annual Habitat for Humanity of Orange County Leaders Build event on March 24 in Santa Ana. The event gathers top executives and business leaders from Orange County to work together to build affordable homes for low-income families. This year’s build brought together more than 80 business leaders to frame five Habitat OC homes and raised more than $160,000.
Bits & Pieces
Project Independence received $5,000 from Union Bank in conjunction with the nonprofit’s sixth year as a charity partner of the OC Marathon, where Project Independence volunteers will staff Water Station Mile #23 at the May 7 event in Costa Mesa. … Science@OC received a $20,000 grant from Boeing designed to improve science education. … OneOC Chief Executive Dan McQuaid was awarded a Fieldstone Foundation sabbatical grant.
