Compiled by Kelly Ryan
The OC affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure raised $508,212 for breast health and cancer research at its Pink Tie Ball at Soka University. Event sponsors included Kathie’s Konnection and the Allergan Foundation. The event featured a live auction, raffle drawing and three-course dinner prepared by OC celebrity chefs.
Orange Coast College received a $457,544 grant to expand its construction programs to include solar energy technology. The goal is to equip a new generation of workers with knowledge of eco-friendly construction practices. The donation came from the California Community College Economic and Workforce Development.
The Walt Disney Co. donated $235,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Los Angeles and Orange counties. Seventeen OC clubs received $5,000 each along with 50 tickets to the Disneyland Resort. The Santa Ana Boys & Girls Club also received a 12-passenger van, valued at $35,000.
The OC United Way Women’s Philanthropy Fund raised more than $200,000 for programs that help women and young girls. The nonprofit seeks to help them meet basic needs and achieve self-sufficiency. Since its creation in 2002, the Women’s Philanthropy Fund has raised nearly $7 million for women.
The Decorative Arts Society gave $135,000 to local nonprofits including $45,000 to Costa Mesa-based New Directions for Women. New Directions is a 30-bed facility that assists women and families in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.
The OC chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers teamed up with the Philharmonic Society of OC in its annual Philharmonic House of Design fundraiser. The 8,500-square-foot home features 23 design spaces highlighting modern trends and practices by a group of ASID designers. The house had 16,000 visitors during the past month, raising $100,000. Proceeds from the event go to youth music education programs.
The Foothill Ranch Kids Foundation has partnered with the Saddleback Valley Education Foundation and dozens of local businesses and nonprofits to raise money for the Saddleback Unified School District. At this point, fundraising has generated more than $60,000 to help keep local elementary class sizes at less than 30 students. The fundraising efforts are ongoing.
Allied Schools Inc. in Laguna Hills donated tape recorders and computer software to the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Ana. The gift was valued at $32,000. Allied Schools provide career training courses in real estate, medical and business fields.
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Community Foundation OC raised more than $24,000 at its St. Patrick’s Day Golf Tournament. The money will go to Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children of OC. The tournament featured a silent auction with participants winning an item including
an autographed Kobe Bryant jersey and a day on the set of the “CSI” TV show.
Zov’s Caf & #233; Bakery & Bar in Newport Coast raised $20,000 for Hoag Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Institute at its first birthday bash. Some 200 guests were on hand for live music, raffle drawing and celebrity chef cooking demonstrations. Executive Chef Zov Karamardian also owns Zov’s Bistro in Tustin.
Studley employees in Irvine joined with nonprofit TreePeople to plant and care for trees in public parks. The company contributed $10,000 to the Million Trees LA Program and planted 20 trees.
Newport Beach-based Eye Surgeon Dr. Gregg Feinerman recently returned from a charitable Vietnam trip, where he treated over 150 locals with cataracts. He also instructed Vietnamese eye surgeons on using new technology and arranged for the donation of laser equipment. As part of his own nonprofit Operation In-Sight, Feinerman performed a free cataract surgery on local resident Jorge Lopez.
The Wells Fargo Foundation gave $2,500 to the OC Water District for the Children’s Water Education Festival. The foundation also donated an additional $7,000 to the Asian Business Association of OC to underwrite its Small Business Day. The event included 12 free seminars for business owners.
The Fullerton Chamber of Commerce gave $1,000 scholarships to Stephanie Gonzalez and Juliette Reid. The girls were named 2008 Outstanding Young Citizens of the Year by the chamber. Both are local high school students who volunteer in their communities.
Fountain Valley-based Working Wardrobes hosted its Women’s Day of Self-Esteem that gave 125 women clothing and hair and makeup styling tips and featured a motivational seminar. The women attending were required to complete a career success workshop taught by volunteer success coaches. They also met with potential employers: FedEx Corp., First American Corp. and Sprint.
Pacific Dental Services recently hosted an American Red Cross blood drive at its Irvine headquarters. The American Red Cross shelters and feeds disaster victims and provides half the nation’s blood supply. Pacific Dental regularly creates opportunities for employees to serve with charitable organizations.
