Compiled by Kelly Ryan
Anaheim-based Mobile Edge LLC, a maker of carrying cases for notebook computers, gave more than $73,000 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. This is the fourth year Mobile Edge has raised money for Komen. Mobile Edge gives 10% of retail sales of each laptop bag from its Komen-related collection, which includes the Komen Paris backpack, the Pink Milano and the Pink Suede tote. Mobile Edge has donated $250,000 to Komen in total.
Local women and community partners raised more than $200,000 at the Orange County United Way Women’s Philanthropy Fund breakfast. The money will be used to meet the basic needs of women and young girls and help them with their finances and education. Keynote speaker Patricia Diaz Dennis, senior vice president and assistant general counsel of AT & T; Inc., spoke to the audience about the challenges facing girls and women.
Local businesses and people raised more than $200,000 for organ and tissue donation at this year’s Donate Life Run/Walk event at California State University, Fullerton. A team from the Irvine office of Redwood City-based W.L. Butler Construction Inc. had 96 people walk in the event, raising $20,000. Proceeds from the event will go to campaigns seeking enrollment in the Donate Life California Organ & Tissue Donor Registry.
The Prentice School raised $150,000 at its Unleashing Potential on the Road to Success gala. Guests participated in a silent auction and cocktail reception at Crevier Classic Car club. KOCE’s Ed Arnold was master of ceremonies. During the evening, Donna Crean accepted the Child Advocacy award on her own behalf and for her late husband, John Crean. Reid Lyon and Lawrence Schiller were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards.
La Mirada-based tool maker Makita U.S.A. Inc. launched its Team Up for Nets campaign, donating $100,000 to save 10,000 lives threatened by malaria. The company encourages fans to make a $10 donation to purchase much-needed mosquito nets for Africa’s population.
Women Helping Women in Costa Mesa raised $65,288 at its Models of Success luncheon. Proceeds will improve services such as image consulting and educational workshops. The money raised is a record for the group.
The Orange County United Way received $64,000 from the employees and customers of Macy’s Inc. The money will be used to help meet the current needs of OC families.
Local high school seniors received $60,000 in scholarships from the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, which provides support to students who have overcome adversity. Jade Berry, Pauline Dinh and Hien Ho each received $20,000 toward a college education. Additionally, the students were named Horatio Alger National Scholars.
Waltos Group, part of Milwaukee-based Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., and the Northwestern Mutual Foundation donated $25,000 to the University of California, Irvine Paul Merage School of Business. The money will be used for Future Business Leader scholarships. They also gave $25,000 to the California State University, Fullerton Mihaylo School of Business and Economics to create The Diversity Scholarship.
Coastline Community College gave out $40,000 in scholarships to 123 students at its Scholarship Award Ceremony. Faculty, staff, businesses and community organizations can donate money for scholarships, which range from $150 to $2,000.
The Irvine Public Schools Foundation and the Irvine Unified School District raised $37,873 at this year’s Donald Bren Honors Concert. The money will support music programs in Irvine elementary schools. Each year about 600 top student musicians perform at the concert. The evening’s presenting sponsor was HSBC Bank, part of London’s HSBC Holdings PLC.
Heritage Pointe in Mission Viejo raised $15,000 at its annual Friendraising luncheon, which also celebrated the burning of the community’s paid-off mortgage. Without a mortgage, Heritage Pointe can devote more money to refurbish, update and expand its facilities. Emmy winning writer Alan Zweibel was the featured speaker for the evening.
Rite-Aid Foundation donated $7,000 to the Blind Children’s Learning Center in Santa Ana. The money will be used to support the center’s outreach to the community through vision and developmental screenings.
Students from the Orange County High School of the Arts collected prom dresses, shoes and accessories for donation to Yesenia’s Dream Dress Drive. Local young women were given accessories, hairstyling and makeup and had tailors on hand to customize each dress.
Hilton Anaheim employees cleaned, prepped and painted the exterior of an elderly couple’s home. The project was coordinated through nonprofit Paint Your Heart Out, dedicated to repairing homes for seniors.
