Compiled by Kelly Ryan
The Outdoor Education Center received $10 million in pledges to help fund its $33 million construction budget. Ruben and Mary Lou Casey along with Mike and Lucy Harrison helped secure the funds from anonymous donors. The center recently had its name changed to the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center, recognizing the Irvine Company’s initial donation of 210 acres of land for its creation.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation received $250,000 from Huntington Beach-based BJ’s Restaurants Inc. as part of the company’s Cookies for Kids program. The restaurant chain donates a portion of the sales from its signature Pizookie dessert to the foundation.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital received $104,026 from Costa Mesa-based Anna’s Linens through the St. Jude Thanks and Giving national campaign. Employees at participating stores raised donations for the hospital, which seeks cures for children with cancer and other diseases.
The Anaheim Ducks raised $98,000 for Children’s Hospital of Orange County at the Lady Ducks Fashion Luncheon held at Honda Center. Emmy award-winning journalist Laura Diaz emceed the event, which featured Ducks players modeling clothing for a fashion show. Gary’s in Newport Beach provided clothing for the event and Blue Ice Vodka and Brown-Forman Corp. donated drinks.
South County Senior Services raised $90,000 at the dancing-under-the-stars-themed Captain’s Ball. The money will go toward senior services programs such as Meals on Wheels, Adult Day Care and Transportation Programs. KOCE’s Ed Arnold emceed the event. Several long-time volunteers were honored: Aileen and Paul Brazeau, Len Todisco and Anna Todisco Boyce and Langlois Fancy Frozen Foods Inc.
The Cox Community Golf Tournament raised $75,000 for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. Forty Marines and some cast members form the “Real Housewives of Orange County” were in attendance. Marine helicopters flew over the course and landed on the driving range during opening ceremonies.
Orange County Community Foundation directed $60,000 in grants from the Margaret E. Oser Fund for Women to local nonprofits. Groups that received money were: Eli Home, Mary’s Shelter, OC Interfaith Shelter and Interval House.
University of California, Irvine, Extension received $50,000 from the Boeing Co. The money will allow the university to develop its open-content online courses to help prepare science teachers for the California Subject Examinations for Teachers. Also, some courses will be offered for free later this year.
The YWCA of North Orange County raised $41,000 at its annual fundraiser, Chocolate Fantasy: An Evening at Mardi Gras. Buck and Bobbie Catlin were honored during the event as Man and Woman of the Year. Proceeds will provide free mammogram screenings and college tuition scholarships.
Elmore Toyota donated a 2009 Toyota Prius as an auction item at a fundraiser benefitting the Golden West College Foundation. The car is valued at $28,344. This is the fifth time the auto dealer has donated a new vehicle to the foundation. Total proceeds of $202,281 fund scholarships and other campus projects for students.
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Southern California received $25,000 from the Dan Murphy Foundation.
Newport Beach-based Buchanan Street Partners Inc. donated $22,500 to Junior Achievement’s Finance Park through its Buchanan Children’s Charities. The money allows kids to attend the month-long economics education program.
Orange County United Way received a $10,000 grant from America’s Promise Alliance to host a summit on the county’s high school dropout rate. Local elected officials, education experts and nonprofit and business leaders met at the Tiger Woods Learning Center to address the issue.
Serrano Intermediate School in Lake Forest raised $5,700 for cancer research as part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s School and Youth programs.
Minneapolis-based UnitedHealth Group Inc. gave two $500 grants to local nonprofits YMCA of Orange County and Santiago Creek School in Santa Ana. UnitedHealth has offices in Cypress.
