Compiled by Kelly Ryan
Natalie’s Wish dinner in Newport Beach raised $2.1 million for the Cystinosis Research Foundation, a record for the yearly fund-raiser. The event featured Jim Kelly, the former Buffalo Bills quarterback. The event was put on by Jeff and Nancy Stack, founders of the Cystinosis Research Foundation and parents of 16-year-old Natalie Stack, who was diagnosed as an infant with cystinosis, a condition impacting the body’s cells, kidneys and urinary tract. Jeff Stack is a principal at Irvine-based real estate developer and investor Sares-Regis Group. About 460 people attended the event at the Balboa Bay Club.
Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian’s Circle 1000 raised nearly $1.2 million for Hoag Cancer Center at its 20th annual Founder’s Brunch in Newport Beach. About 600 donors and guests gathered at the Marriott Hotel & Spa to hear Notre Dame football legend Lou Holtz speak about overcoming challenges through the use of goal setting. He’s authored three New York Times best sellers. Circle 1000 was founded in 1988 to allow community members to make a direct gift in support of cancer research and treatment for Hoag Cancer Center.
Hoag Hospital Foundation’s 552 Club raised $170,000 at its 26th annual Stag Shoot and Hoedown. Supporters participated in auctions, raffles, casino tables and live music. The stag shoot tournament had 165 entrants and featured eight shooting events and an awards presentation. Funds raised were donated to Hoag’s Heart and Vascular Institute.
More than 600 guests raised $168,215 at the Coastline Com-munity College Annual Visionary of the Year Awards Gala in Huntington
Beach.
Honorees included Bernie Luskin, who served as Coastline Community College’s founding president, Mariam Rashid, president of Developments in Literacy, Lennar Corp. and Wing Lam, Ed Lee, Mingo Lee and Steve Karfaridis of Santa Ana-based Wahoo’s Fish Taco. Money raised will go toward Coastline programs and provide scholarships for students in need.
The fourth annual OC United Way Women’s Philanthropy Fund Break-fast raised $130,000 to support programs for OC women and young girls. These programs educate and encourage local women and girls to live self-sufficient lives through financial literacy, as well as help women start businesses. The Philanthropy Fund’s 140 members each give at least $10,000 a year.
44 Women for Children raised $115,000 to help send foster teens to college. The money raised will fund scholarships for 19 former foster youth. 44 Women for Children is a subsidiary of Orangewood Children’s Foundation in Santa Ana.
The 14th Annual Wild & Crazy Taco Night raised $28,000 for Share Our Selves in Costa Mesa. The evening featured 19 of Orange County’s most creative chefs battling to create the most imaginative and delicious taco. Top sponsors were Taco Bell Corp., Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, St. Joseph Health System and the Fred Siegel Foundation. Share Our Selves works to help the poor and homeless.
The Sumba Foundation used a $25,000 grant from the Quik-
silver Foundation, part of Huntington Beach-based Quik-silver Inc., to build and staff a medical clinic on the Indonesian Island of Sumba. The 400,000 people living on the island face a serious Malaria health crisis. The foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for the people of Sumba through education, health and employment.
The city of Orange Fire Department received a $22,887 grant from CalSurance Insurance Brokers and the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. The fire department will use the grant to buy stabilization jacks and special flashlights. The jacks allow rescuers to stabilize side-resting vehicles and rescue entrapped motorists. The flashlights provide firefighters with hands-free lighting.
The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce and Laguna Beach Rotary Club gave two $2,000 student scholarships. Sarah Crooks and Jason Norton were selected based on an essay submission, academic excellence and portfolio review. Funds were raised at the Grapes for Grads wine tasting event.
