Compiled by Kelly Ryan
The Mission Parish School in San Juan Capistrano received $474,000 from the estate of Bob McDonough, who was a Mission parishioner and former Mission Preservation Foundation board member. In 1965, he founded RemedyTemp Inc., now Remedy Intelligent Staffing.
Olive Crest Orange County raised $300,000 at its Harvesting Hope for the Olive Crest Kids fundraising gala. Major sponsors were Ralphs Grocery Co., Benefit Partners, Brion Jeannette Architecture, CareMore and CVB Financial Corp.
Orange County Community Foundation directed $300,000 in grants from the Margaret E. Oser Fund for Women to local nonprofits. Groups that received money: Project Get Safe, Community Services Programs, Healing Odyssey and Maternal Outreach Management Systems Orange County.
Catholic Charities of Orange County raised $300,000 at its annual Mardi Gras Ball. This year’s theme was Sharing our Faith, Hope and Charity, as selected by special honorees Terry and Mary Ann Gilmore. The nonprofit supported victims of local wildfires and works to meet local residents’ basic needs.
Orange County United Way received a $150,000 donation from Merit Property Management Inc. in Aliso Viejo. The contribution will be used for community programs that help people become self sufficient. Merit has been involved with the United Way since 1986.
The Dana Point Ocean Institute took in $130,000 at its annual Jazz in January fundraiser. The event featured performances by jazz guitarist Jeff Golub and appearances by trumpeter Rick Braun and keyboardist Jeff Lorber.
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Southern California in Costa Mesa raised $80,000 at its annual Evening of Hope fundraiser. Guests saw the Broadway musical “The Color Purple” at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.
The Child Abuse Prevention Center in Orange generated $75,000 at its annual Families Helping Families campaign. The money will be used for the center’s parenting education and mental health programs.
The Northwestern Mutual Foundation, the charitable arm of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., gave $50,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County. Northwestern Mutual’s Waltos Group in Newport Beach was recognized for its partnership with Big Brothers. Financial representative and big brother of the year Paul Castillo helped secure the donation. Also, Succession Capital Alliance in Newport Beach donated $25,000 to Big Brothers.
Local McDonald’s Corp. restaurants raised $45,000 for the Orange County Ronald McDonald House and the Ronald McDonald Family Room. The house and family room provide second-home experiences for families of children undergoing treatment for serious illnesses at nearby hospitals.
Capistrano Animal Rescue Efforts raised $25,000 at its annual car show in San Juan Capistrano. The money will be used to underwrite pet medications and microchips, perform emergency surgeries and spay and neuter animals.
The Youth Center in Los Alamitos received $10,000 from the Safeco Insurance Foundation. Alandale Insurance Agency in Los Alamitos nominated the center for the donation. The Youth Center provides after-school programs for local kids.
Nationwide Support Services Inc. in Irvine gave 10 $1,000 checks to people in the community as part of the Gift of Change awards.
Claire and Karen Bianchi and Womenade Newport Beach raised $2,025 for Share Our Selves in Costa Mesa. Randy Rozak of Rozak Vintners in Central California donated wine for the evening. The money will help provide services for the poor.
Irvine Valley College received $10,000 from the Irvine office of Greenberg Traurig LLP. The law firm was title sponsor of the school’s Astounding Inventions competition.
Domestic violence survivor Erica M. (last name withheld) received Stonefire Grill’s Braveheart Award at a luncheon at the Irvine restaurant. Stonefire Grill owners Mary and Maureen Harrigan donated $1,500 to Human Options on her behalf. Erica fled to Human Options after escaping from an abusive relationship.
