Compiled by Kelly Ryan
Irvine-based Fuscoe Engineering Inc. provided pro bono civil engineering services for Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. The Second Harvest project site spans 6.4 acres of the former El Toro Marine base and includes an old building that requires extensive remodeling. The Fuscoe team created grading, sewer, water, storm drain and parking lot plans for the project. The site is set to be Second Harvest’s headquarters and will house the nonprofit’s offices, storage and distribution work. Second Harvest feeds more than 25 million poor and hungry people in the U.S. every year.
Helping Kids Achieve awarded grants totaling $471,000 to 20 local nonprofit groups. The program was created in 2004 by Ran-ney Draper, chairman of Newport Beach-based Spring Creek Investors LLC, through the Draper Family Foundation and the OC Community Foundation. Helping Kids Achieve has provided grants for academic programs to help more than 10,000 at-risk youth succeed in school.
The Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center at the University of California, Irvine, was awarded $3.9 million by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Awards are intended to fund laboratories and equipment for the growth of human embryonic stem cells as well as train scientists and technicians. The money is set to be used to extend a training course and to support UC Irvine’s master’s program in stem cell biology.
Irvine-based EukonGroup teamed with AT & T; Inc. to cosponsor this year’s ninth annual AT & T;/EukonGroup Golf Classic. The tournament raised $456,194 to benefit the Boy Scouts of America, OC Council. More than 320 golfers attended the event at the PGA West in La Quinta. EukonGroup is a consulting firm specializing in wireless telecommunications and environmental compliance.
The seventh annual Art of Giving Gala in Laguna Beach raised $180,000. The funds support after-school and summer programs for kids ages 5 to 18 living in Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo and surrounding communities through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Laguna Beach. More than 400 attendees bid for opportunities to sponsor children and win a Mini Cooper.
The John Wayne Cancer Foundation donated $118,000 to Children’s Hospital of Orange County for a National Melanoma Awareness Project. The money will work to increase education and prevention in the fight against skin cancer. Ethan Wayne, youngest son of John Wayne, presented the donation at the John Wayne Centennial Celebration in Newport Beach.
Buchanan Street Partners in Newport Beach raised $100,000 for the VH1 Save the Music Foundation at its first annual Encore for Education charity concert. The event was underwritten by Bixby Land Co., CB Richard Ellis Group Inc., Arden Realty, LBA Realty and Maguire Properties Inc.
Burton Snowboards and the Chill Foundation raised $15,000 at an annual golf tournament at Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point. The foundation introduces at-risk inner city youth to snowboarding and teaches them life lessons and skills. Each winter Chill takes 170 kids to the slopes once a week for six weeks and provides them with gear and lessons.
Tiffany & Co. Foundation gave a $50,000 grant to the Miocean Foundation to clean urban pollution from OC beaches. The funds will be given to the Back Bay Science Center campus in Newport Bay. It will assure completion of its construction and enable rapid ocean water testing results. The Miocean Foundation is based in Laguna Niguel.
Curves for Women held a clothing drive during the month of April at its 41 gyms in OC. The collected clothing was given to nonprofit Women Helping Women in Costa Mesa. The organization assists poor women who have trouble finding jobs.
The Irvine office of Lehman Millet Inc. raised $3,680 at its art benefit, An Evening Among Angels. The art auction featured donated work from more than 20 local professional artists. Raised funds were given to Santa Ana-based Mercy House homeless shelter. Mercy House offers housing alternatives, programs and support services for homeless families and others in need.
