Compiled by Kelly Ryan
More than 1,800 attendees helped generate $1.3 million at the J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center’s 29th barbecue fundraiser. Proceeds from sponsorships and auction items were $430,000 to support ongoing programs. Jenny and Bill Klein gave a surprise cash donation of $1 million to the Shea’s Family and Education Center building campaign. The Kleins helped generate an additional $612,250 through a matching donation challenge.
Newport Beach Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian received a $16 million gift from the George Hoag Family Foundation in Santa Monica. Hoag Cancer Center is the primary beneficiary and will receive $15 million of the gift. Much of that will set up an endowment to provide for the medical director of Hoag Cancer Center in honor of Grace E. Hoag. Also, a part of the gift will fund a new diabetes program at the hospital.
South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa received a $10 million gift from George and Julianne Argyros. The money will create the Julianne Argyros Stage Endowment. It will enable the Repertory to purchase more sophisticated equipment and pay artists higher salaries. The donation is part of the Legacy Campaign that seeks to raise $24 million in endowed funds and $15 million in annual funding.
The Buchanan Street Partners’ seventh annual Challenge for Children event in Newport Beach raised more than $570,000. The United Way of OC, the Bay area and greater Los Angeles will share $498,000 of the total. These funds were used to support the United Way Success By 6 programs. Miocean, Big Brothers & Big Sisters and Talk About Curing Autism each received $25,000 of the total.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of OC’s seventh annual Mardi Gras Extravaganza presented by Honda raised $105,000. The funds will be used to match adult mentors with children. More than 350 people attended the event at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney. Other sponsors included American Airlines, Honda Center, the Anaheim Ducks, Disneyland Resorts, Chevron Corp. and Eastman Kodak Co.
Shulman Hodges & Bastian LLP helped raise $50,000 at its sixth annual Sept. 11 fundraiser to benefit the OC Fire Authority Benevolent Association. Donations were raised by employees and corporate sponsorship.
Newport Beach residents Jim and Cheryl Markham donated $25,000 at the City of Hope Spirit of Life dinner. The Markhams are founders of PureOlogy Research LLC in Irvine. The donation was made in the name of John Heffner, who was the event’s honoree. Heffner is president and chief executive of Creative Nail Design and chair of the Professional Beauty Association’s governing body.
Irvine-based MBK Homes and its employees raised $7,160 for the March of Dimes Walk America program. The program is a national walking event that raises awareness and generates funding for the March of Dimes. The organization seeks to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
