Compiled by Kelly Ryan
Children’s Hospital of Orange County honored Walt Disney Co. for its $1 million donation to help fund construction of the hospital’s new Ambulatory Care Center. The center’s lobby is named The Disneyland Resort Main Lobby in honor of the donation. Additional donations came from the Annenberg Foundation, the Rothschild Family Foundation and Galkos Construction Inc. The center opened for patients last month.
Garden Grove-based Money Mailer LLC raised $371,500 for the Children’s Miracle Network. The funds will be donated directly to local Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. These hospitals provide healthcare and preventative education to children.
The High Hopes Luncheon raised $150,000 to benefit the Invest in Children Fund. The fund seeks to expand early childhood education for low-income kids. Children First, A Merage Foundation, partnered with the Children & Families Commission of Orange County and the Orange County Community Foundation to host the fundraiser.
Vocational Visions gathered $125,000 at its annual fundraiser for programs serving developmentally disabled men and women in South Orange County. Irvine-based Claim Jumper Restaurants LLC was a major sponsor of the event.
The David Yurman Boutique in South Coast Plaza partnered with The Four Pearls of Beckstrand Cancer Foundation to raise money for children with cancer. A portion of the $80,000 event proceeds will support incoming pediatric cancer patients at Miller Children’s Hospital for the coming year.
Healthy Smiles for Kids of OC raised $50,000 at its annual awards reception. Event proceeds benefit the USC/CHOC/Healthy Smiles Advanced Pediatric Dental Residency Program. The program helps children get better access to dental care. Wando Claro, 3M ESPE and Dottie Andrews received Leadership in Children’s Oral Health awards.
Jan Rasmusen gave $35,000 to The Rabies Challenge Fund. The Rabies Challenge seeks to improve the health of pet dogs around the world.
Plein Air artists auctioned off 17 paintings to raise $30,000 for the Capistrano Valley Conservancy and Irvine Ranch Conservancy. Both seek to protect natural resources. The auction was held at the Katie Wheeler Library in Irvine.
The Best Western Laguna Brisas Spa Hotel in Laguna Beach partnered with the Chill Foundation to raise $25,000 at a charity golf tournament. The foundation introduces at-risk inner city youth to snowboarding to help them gain self confidence, as well as provides them with mentors.
The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club hosted its annual wine tasting and scholarship fundraiser, Grapes for Grads. The event raised $8,500 to benefit scholarship programs at Laguna College of Art & Design and Laguna Beach High School.
The Building Block Foundation in Newport Beach sponsored an event for 50 local kids to attend the Newport Sports Museum. The foundation arranged transportation for the children, who came from local charities KidWorks and Project Access. Former USC offensive lineman and cofounder of Newport Beach’s Sovereign Healthcare Jeremy Hogue urged kids to stay in school and set life goals for themselves.
Habitat for Humanity OC AmeriCorps volunteers spent a week in Mississippi helping rebuild homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Additionally, Marriott Fairfield Inn general managers met in Anaheim to assist Habitat for Humanity in building four Anaheim homes. Eighty volunteers assisted with roofing, painting and general carpentry work.
