Compiled by Kelly Ryan
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Orange County chapter raised $1.4 million to support diabetes research at its annual Time for a Cure Dream Gala in Dana Point. Some 600 guests enjoyed an exclusive wine auction and a drawing for diamond earrings sponsored by Lugano Diamonds. Broadway legend Ben Vereen was on hand to entertain the crowd. Corporate sponsors included Hoag Memorial Hospital, PIMCO Foundation, Ford Motor Co. and Historic Mission Inn and Spa.
The Free Wheelchair Mission raised $329,000 at the Surf City USA Marathon’s Run for Mobility. Former NFL Raiders quarterback Jay Schroeder spoke at the fundraising dinner and joined the 5K run the following day. This is the third year runners have had the option of raising money for wheelchairs. The Free Wheelchair Mission constructs cheaper wheelchairs using resin lawn chairs, bicycle tires and metal tubing for disabled people in developing countries. This year’s funds will pay for 6,800 wheelchairs.
Agents and employees of Prudential California Realty donated $150,000 to assist those affected by last year’s local wildfires. Several branches voted to contribute their entire annual office party funds. About $85,000 of the total went to the California Center for Sustainable Energy, Rebuild Central program. Other recipients were the Gold Coast Foundation, Friends and Family Community Connection and the Humane Society.
The OC Hispanic Bar Association and more than 500 guests raised $100,000 for scholarships and other programs at a gala in Costa Mesa. The night featured Emmy award-winning journalist Dave Lopez as master of ceremonies. The Hispanic Bar Association also announced its Wally Davis Scholars, which included Erica M. Diaz, a student at the Chapman University School of Law. Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP sponsored the event.
Coastline Community College received a $25,000 grant from MetLife Inc. to fund programs for seniors. The programs support seniors as they pursue civic ventures and encore careers. The college now offers a series of workshops targeted at baby boomers nearing retirement.
The Rotary Club of Fullerton donated $20,000 to four local nonprofits at its annual Concert Awards: Assistance League of Fullerton, Child Guidance Center, YMCA of OC and YWCA North OC. Each received $5,000. The funds were generated at a concert featuring Beatles tribute band Fab Four.
Eight OC AT & T; stores took part in collecting $18,000 for nonprofit Padres Contra El Cancer during the Answer Hope’s Call campaign. The fundraising was spread among 40 Southern California AT & T; stores, raising $200,000. The campaign ended with a bone marrow drive to find potential donors, adding 259 donors to a national registry.
The Wells Fargo Foundation donated $10,000 to the Legal Aid Society of OC, $5,000 to Colette’s Children’s Home and $1,000 to the OC Deaf Advocacy Center. Wells Fargo partners with the Legal Aid Society to help people get money through the Earned Income Tax Credit. Colette’s Children’s Home seeks to end generational homelessness. The Deaf Advocacy Center used Wells Fargo funding to print 5,000 copies of a fire-safety coloring book.
Women in International Trade of OC donated $10,000 to the Senior Santa and Friends Program. Over the past three years, Women in International Trade has donated $23,000 for the elderly. The Senior Santa and Friends Program is operated by the OC Social Services Agency. It provides gifts to low-income elders and adults with disabilities.
The Arby’s Foundation donated $1,974 to Big Brothers Big Sisters OC. The funds will be used to help match adult mentors with children in need.
Cypress-based Toyo Tire (USA) Corp., a unit of Japan’s Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., gave $1,000 to the Washington State University scholarship fund on behalf of Wazzu basketball player Robbie Cowgill. The funds were presented at Staples Center in Los Angeles during the Pac-10 men’s basketball tournament. Cowgill is an Honors College enrollee with a 3.36 grade point average.
Agent Renee Connell gave $500 to Mission Viejo Christian Church School on behalf of Farmers Insurance Group of Cos. The funds will be used for school expenses throughout the year. Connell became a Farmers agent in 1987 and works out of an office in Santa Margarita.
Kaiser Permanente in Irvine joined with nonprofit Access OC to donate outpatient surgeries to 16 uninsured patients. Surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and other staff donated their Saturday morning to volunteer. This is the second Surgery Saturday for Kaiser Permanente.
