KidWorks Works Crowd
An overflow crowd of business leaders, civic servants, educators, sports celebrities and others concerned about the future of at-risk children in Orange County came together Nov. 14 in the ballroom of the Santa Ana Double Tree Hotel for the KidWorks annual luncheon. The organization celebrated its 20th year of service to the community, raising a net $550,000, thanks to Pat and Paula Donahue’s underwriting of the event. Pat Donahue is chairman and chief executive of Costa Mesa-based retail real estate firm Donahue Schriber. Funds raised will support educational enrichment for children of central Santa Ana who live in neighborhoods blighted by gangs and poverty. TV anchor Ed Arnold emceed the event. Dennis Kuhl, chairman of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, introduced the featured speaker, former MLB pitcher Jim Abbott. Abbott, who was born without a right hand, delivered a message about overcoming obstacles in life.
Friends Meet at the CASA
The 2013 Friends of CASA Holiday Luncheon and Fashion Show was held Dec. 6 at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point. More than 600 people attended the event, which featured a gourmet lunch, a fashion show highlighting designer M. Missoni, and keynote speaker Evelyn Gibson, vice president of communications at Ambassador Advertising Agency in Irvine and a CASA, or court-appointed special advocate.
The event netted more than $260,000 to support CASA of Orange County’s work with abused and neglected children.
Strength, Support at Mission Hospital
More than 620 guests attended Mission Hospital’s 18th annual black-tie gala at the St. Regis Monarch Beach on Dec. 14. The event raised net proceeds of $1.2 million for the new Neuroscience and Spine Institute at Mission Hospital.
The guest of honor was Adam Williams, who as an 18-year-old suffered a traumatic brain injury due to a motorcycle accident. Williams was treated by Dr. Sylvain Palmer, a neurosurgeon at Mission who led the team that saved Adam’s life 14 years ago. Adam and Palmer co-chaired the holiday gala and were honored for their “spirit of giving.”
Sponsors included Nolet Spirits U.S.A. and the Nolet Family; Kevin and Patricia Moriarty; Hollencrest Capital Management/The Masson Family Foundation; Lew Webb’s Classic Car & Event Center; Orange County Neurosurgical Associates; The Williams Family; O’Connell Family Foundation Trust; West Coast University; American Career College; and Omega Watches. The media sponsor was Orange Coast Magazine.
You Sound Wonderful by Candlelight
Segerstrom Center for the Arts held its 40th annual Candlelight Concert on Dec. 6, netting a record $2.2 million to support its artistic and educational programming.
The sold-out black-tie event was held at the center, which was decorated in a festival and elegant holiday theme, with dozens of candles throwing a soft glow throughout the room. The evening featured a red-carpet reception, a candlelight supper, and a performance by the Beach Boys. Almost 500 people attended, and 17 past chairwomen of the concert and 60 Angels of the Arts were honored for their contributions to the development of the arts in Orange County.
