Brea’s Viewsonic, a maker of digital projectors and other computer and electronic products, has committed $500,000 in funding and in-kind technology to the Orange County United Way’s Empowering Future Generations initiative, which is designed to identify and support schools and organizations in need of technology resources.
“There is a need now more than ever to come together and substantiate education, businesses and our community,” said Jeff Volpe, president, ViewSonic Americas. “Supporting many different organizations expands our philanthropic reach and we are hopeful our efforts are contagious. Under the Empowering Future Generations initiative, giving back will continue to be an enthusiastic focus for ViewSonic.”
ViewSonic’s Empowering Future Generations donations to date include nine ViewBoard kits donated to Santiago High School, Gonzalo Felicitas Mendez Fundamental School and Los Amigos High School, as well as 300 thin clients—a simple (low-performance) computer that has been optimized for establishing a remote connection with a server-based computing environment—to the Los Angeles Boys and Girls Club.
A Whole New Gig
This month, Orange County Music and Dance (OCMD) launched Operation Gig, a new program designed to help veterans cope with the stress and consequences resulting from the current COVID-19 health crisis. The goal is to provide the sense of camaraderie and bring back the ‘esprit de corps’ that’s been missing for so many during lockdown and quarantine.
Operation Gig features three options for participation: Learn, which offers eight 60-minute group classes for beginners or those who need a refresher; Jam, which includes weekly 90-minute jam sessions for instrumentalists who want to play while improving their skills and enjoying the companionship of other like-minded musicians; and Band, for experienced players who want to perform in front of an audience. To enhance the eight-week program, OCMD has teamed up with the Rock For Vets, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives and well-being of veterans, at-risk youth and other groups through music instruction, education, and mentoring.
Operation Gig supplies participants with professional coaches, instruments, lessons and instruction, and eight weekly 60-minute classes or 90-minute rehearsal sessions, to be held outdoors at Orange County Great Park.
“As a non-profit performing arts school, part of our mission is transforming lives through music. We know that music heals,” said Doug Freeman, executive chairman and chief executive officer, OCMD. “Studies show it decreases anxiety and agitation, reduces depression, and provides a safe and enjoyable emotional release. Music is a universal language that everyone relates to and we want to use it to help heal the community.”
On the Move with Mobile Blood Donation
Orange County philanthropists Julia Argyros, president, Argyros Family Foundation and her husband George, chairman of the Board & CEO, Arnel & Affiliates; former US Ambassador to Spain, donated $100,000 to The American Red Cross of Orange County to support the purchase of a new Red Cross bloodmobile.
The state-of-the-art bloodmobile is equipped with everything necessary for a blood donation procedure and will help the local Red Cross ensure a stable blood supply and continue to collect blood throughout Orange County and Southern California for patients in need.
Working for the Future
Thermal-Vac Technology, Lending Enterprise, Citi National Bank and Banc of California are among the corporate match sponsors for Orange County Community Foundation’s (OCCF) The Future is Working Giving Day.
OCCF hosted The Future is Working, a collaborative Giving Day designed to bolster workforce opportunities in Orange County, on March 25. During the 24-hour online effort, 455 donors helped raise nearly $180,000 for 11 nonprofits offering programs and services to help remove barriers to employment and build a flexible and resilient workforce. The funds will allow the participating nonprofits to help employers, workers, students, and the most vulnerable residents adjust to rapidly changing economic conditions.
The nonprofits involved included Chrysalis, CIELO, Community Action Partnership Orange County, Hart Community Homes, Inc., High School, Inc., Kherut, JVS SoCal, Orange County Conservation Corps, Taller San Jose Hope Builders, Youth Employment Service and Vital Link.
“The Future is Working is not only a campaign theme, but a resounding declaration in support of the nonprofits that are bolstering equitable opportunities for Orange County’s workforce,” said Shelley Hoss, president and CEO, Orange County Community Foundation. “We are grateful to our community for stepping up today to support this Giving Day and invest in the long-term health and vitality of our region.”
Bits & Pieces
South County Outreach (SCO) has received a $75,000 donation from Ralphs and The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation for the purchase of a refrigerated box truck that will help pick up and deliver food to SCO’s food pantry … Throughout April, Humblemaker Coffee Co. is partnering with The Autism Community in Action (TACA) to create a roasted-to-order coffee, called TACA Blend, in honor of Autism Action Month, which will be sold in their Seal Beach café and online with all proceeds donated to TACA … Goodwill of Orange County has received a $400,000 Veterans Employment-Related Assistance Program (VEAP) grant from California’s EDD to support Goodwill’s Tierney Center for Veteran Services and its job placement programs for Orange County veterans and their families.
Correction: In the March 22 philanthropy column, the item “On a Mission,” which showcased Free Wheelchair Mission’s fundraising efforts in 2020, misidentified some of the organization’s 2020 sponsors in the second paragraph. The correct sponsor list is: Advisors Mortgage Group, Applied Medical Resources, Caprock, Eden Outsource, MIC Systems & Software, Priority Living and TriGuard Management.
