Compiled by Christina Hur
The Ocean Institute in Dana Point raised about $2.6 million at its 2006 Laguna Beach Home Raffle. The nonprofit provides resources and education on ocean preservation. The raffle offered a Laguna Beach condo or $1 million as the main prize. Other prizes included a 2006 Prius or $20,000; a New Zealand/Australia trip for two, or $10,000; a plasma TV, or $2,500; and other cash prizes.
Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo raised nearly $600,000 at its second annual Peace Gala. The money will fund student scholarships. About 500 people attended the event. The fund-raiser featured Wayne Shorter, a Grammy-winning sax-ophonist, and jazz musician Herbie Hancock. The school is a private, nonprofit liberal arts college and graduate school founded upon Buddhist principles.
Buchanan Street Partners, a real estate investment bank based in Newport Beach, raised $379,000 at its annual Challenge for Children fund-raiser, an all-day sports competition. More than 30 real estate companies participated in the event. The money was split between two groups: $354,000 was given to United Way and $25,000 to the Miocean Foundation in Laguna Niguel. The funds to United Way will go to its nationwide health and school advocacy program for kids, Success By 6. The Miocean Foundation works with government agencies, businesses, environmental groups and individuals in preserving Southern California beaches.
Friendship Shelter, a homeless rehabilitation program and emergency shelter in Laguna Beach, raised more than $45,000 at its annual event, Can You Dig It?: A Happening to Help Our Residents Grow Roots. Nearly 175 people attended. Twelve sponsors donated $17,500 to the event: Indymac Bank, the Pacific Investment Management Co. Foundation, Ilene Glassman, Laguna Seaside Realty, McKenna Porsche Audi VW, Rutan & Tucker LLP, George Western, David Brewer/WCM Investment Management, Jill and Steve Edwards, Marshall Ininns Design Group, Joy and Tom Peters, and R.E. Rutherford Builders.
The Commercial Real Estate Women of Orange County netted $25,400 at its second annual CREW Classic Charity Golf Tournament held at the Newport Beach Country Club. The funds were evenly split between two charities, Building Block Foundation Fund and WisePlace.
Irvine-based Herrington Teddy Bear Co. donated about $10,000 in bears to the California Highway Patrol. The bears are used as a way to comfort children at the scene of traffic accidents. The donation is part of a newly formed partnership between Herrington and the highway patrol. Herrington will continue to donate bears.
Boost Mobile LLC, an Irvine-based unit of Sprint Nextel Corp., had more than 100 employees participate in the company’s volunteer project at Edison Elementary School in Santa Ana. The employees were split into various teams and painted two murals as well as trim on bungalows at the school. The project was part of the company’s nationwide program that involved volunteering at more than 125 sites in nine cities. Employees who donated at least four hours were given Boost Mobile RockCorps concert tickets at the Kodak Theatre next spring.
Information in Giving is supplied by businesses. Submit items to features@ocbj.com or Orange County Business Journal, Attention: Giving, 2600 Michelson Drive, Ste. 170, Irvine, CA 92612. Include the name and phone number of someone to contact. Photos are encourage but cannot be returned.
