Compiled by Roberta Boginis
Advanced Medical Optics Pledges Support
Santa Ana-based Advanced Medical Optics Inc. pledged $1 million to support the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Foundation’s research into refractive lenticular science, which combines aspects of traditional and laser eye surgery.
The American Society and Refractive Surgery Foundation is set to being work on a multiyear program to support new research and educational programs that explore the science of lenticular surgery, said foundation chairman Dr. I. Howard Fine, in a release.
“We commend ASCRS for its foresight and leadership in forming this effort to advance refractive corneal and lenticular research and education,” said James V. Mazzo, Advanced Medical Optic’s chief executive, in a release.
The foundation funds eye research, public education and charitable activities. Advanced Medical Optics makes contact lens care and eye surgical products.
The Judkins Family Foundation donated $2 million to Vanguard University’s new Center for Music and Performing Arts in Costa Mesa.
Irvine-based Ed-wards Lifesciences Corp., through the Edwards Lifesciences Fund, gave 17 charitable group grants totaling $644,000 as part of the fund’s first grant cycle. St. Joseph Hospital Foundation in Orange received $99,500 for its “From the Heart” program, which provides screening, education and treatment for poor patients in Santa Ana and surrounding communities.
The James Irvine Foundation pledged $200,000 over three years to the Pacific Symphony. The contribution is set support and help present the work of contemporary American composers through the Symph-ony’s American Com-posers Festivals.
The 12th Annual Mighty Rubber Ducky Derby raised $136,000 for Children’s Bureau programs in OC, a nonprofit that focuses on the treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect. William Lyon Homes and Newmeyer & Dillion LLP, both of Newport Beach, and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim were sponsors.
Foothill Ranch-based Wet Seal Inc.’s merchant team presented a check for $50,000 to Habitat for Humanity’s Operation Home Delivery. The money will be used to build a home for a family affected by last year’s hurricanes. The home then will be shipped to Beaumont, Texas, to be completed by the family and Habitat volunteers.
The Friendship Shelter raised $50,000 from its 14th annual Dinners Across Laguna and Beyond fund-raiser. The money is set to help the Laguna Beach shelter continue work of its ongoing rehabilitation self-sufficiency program for homeless adults.
The Child Abuse Prevention Center, which focuses on child abuse, domestic violence and teen pregnancy in OC, raised $30,000 at its Men With Heart Bachelor auction. The money is set to go toward the center’s parenting education and support programs.
Costa Mesa-based Rutan & Tucker LLP had 17 lawyers and staff members volunteer to help build affordable housing in Cypress. The firm is a participant in Habitat for Humanity of Orange County’s Lawyers for Humanity group, along with nine other law firms. Rutan pledged $25,000 and about 1,000 hours of work on the project.
Irvine’s 3M ESPE, a unit of 3M Co., gave $18,000 Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County to support prevention and education programs at the Tooth Fairy Center, a center to teach children about oral care.
John Laing Homes’ South Coast division, which builds homes in OC, gave $17,500 to the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Operation OC for Hurricane Katrina victims living here.
Don Crevier of Crevier BMW donated $15,000 to replace 15,000 Latino Educa-tional Attainment Facil-itator Guides that were lost in a recent fire. Linda MacDonald of the Orange County Depart-ment of Education also donated funds to help reprint the guides.
Assemblyman Van Tran donated the after tax portion of pay increase to local charities. The following groups received checks of $500 to $1,000: Anaheim Boys and Girls Club, Hongbang Culture Center, Santa Ana Boys and Girls Club, Garden Grove Strawberry Festival, Angels Charity, Association of Vietnamese Language and Culture Schools of Southern California, Fountain Valley Historical Society, Orange County Council, Boy Scouts of America, Rose Foundation, St. Columban, Feed the Homeless, Disable Veterans, Widows and Orphans of the Republic of South Vietnam and Parents of Disabled Children. A $500 donation was made to the Stanton Boys and Girls Club’s new teen center in memory of former Stanton mayor Harry Dotson.
The Vons Foundation, part of Safeway Inc., presented a $10,000 to Children’s Hospital of Orange County and the CHOC Breathmobile program,a mobile asthma clinic serving inner-city school children of OC.
Art & Creativity for Healing in Laguna Niguel raised $7,500 at its first golf tournament. The money raised will go toward Art & Creativity’s workshops for children, teens and adults, who are suffering from abuse, illness, grief and stress.
Ayres Hotels of Costa Mesa donated $5,000 for the Children’s Hospital of Orange County and CHOC at Mission’s fund-raising walk.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ President Chris Cahill and Fairmont Newport Beach Hotel’s General Manager Randy Zupanski presented a $5,000 check to Orangewood Children’s Foundation, which provides programs for abused and neglected children.
The Mission San Juan Capistrano Docent Society gave $3,000 to preserve one of the 14 Stations of the Cross paintings in its historic Serra Chapel. The paintings are from Spain and date back to the18th century.
Robert B. Hildt, chief executive of Metro-Pacific Bank, gave $1,559 to the Irvine Chamber of Commerce for its “Slidell Recovery Gift Card Program.” The chamber is buying gift cards to Wal-Mart, Kinko’s, Home Depot and Target with money donated to the program and shipping them to Slidell, La.’s chamber of commerce.
Mission San Juan Capistrano’s volunteer gardening club, the Gardening Angels, donated $1,200 to its Adopt-a-Class program. The program gives students, who wouldn’t be able to afford a visit to the mission, free admission, tours and educational programs.
The Pacific Group of Laguna Hills made a $1,200 donation to its client Achievekids through its Pacific Group’s Community Service Rewards Program, which gives annual donations to its nonprofit clients. Achievekids helps youth with disabilities through mental health and special education services.
The Anaheim Kindness Care-A-Van distributed several hundred toys to children in Bilox, Miss., who were impacted by the hurricanes. The toys were given by Anaheim residents, businesses and city workers.
San Juan Capistrano-based Endevco Corp., a maker of sensors, donated 547 toys from workers to the Toys for Tots program.
The Commercial Real Estate Women Network of Orange County, along with Cushman & Wakefield Inc. and other sponsors, reached out to local high school girls through a course to educate teens on careers for women in commercial real estate.
Blytheco Inc. in Laguna Hills fulfilled holiday wishes for 30 children of Olive Crest, which provides a home and services for abused children.
San Clemente-based K-Comm Inc.’s Sinan Kanatsiz hosted a private luncheon for the Girls & Boys Town of Southern California at the Center Club in Costa Mesa. The goal of the luncheon was to help make the community aware of the group and its activities in the treatment and care of abused, abandoned and neglected kids.
The Salvation Army of Orange County’s Christmas Warehouse programs in Garden Grove and San Clem-ente distributed food and toys to 12,797 people during the holidays.
Habitat for Humanity Orange County, with help from Pacer International Inc., will help deliver as many as 15 to 18 pre-built homes to families displaced by the hurricanes. The homes will delivered to building sites in the Gulf Region.
The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim participated in the ninth annual National Education Association’s “Read Across America Day.” A number of team players, management and staff made appearances at local schools, libraries and community centers to help encourage students to read.
