Compiled by Alisha Gomez
Concordia University in Irvine received $6.25 million from Bob and Kari Grimm and Barbara Grimm Marshall of Grimmway Farms, a grower and shipper of carrots. The donation is set to go toward construction of a three-story, 45,000-square-foot education, business and technology center. The facility is set to open in 2006.
The University of California, Irvine’s Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community received a $1 million grant from the UniHealth Foundation. The three-year grant will provide general support for the program, a medical training effort focused on Latinos and their health issues.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Orange County Chapter, raised $600,000 from its 2005 MS Walk held at UC Irvine.
Santa Ana-based Advanced Medical Optics Inc., which makes eye surgery and contact lens products, donated more than $120,000 in tsunami relief to global charities. The International Response Fund of the American Red Cross received most of the funds.
The Wells Fargo Foundation gave $110,000 in 2004 for UCI programs that improve education and inspire students.
The 15th Annual Scholarship Awards program, hosted by the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce and Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, presented seniors from nine high schools with scholarships. Altogether, 21 companies, government agencies and business groups gave $103,000.
Education for the Children’s Race for Education fund-raiser, held at Joe’s Garage and Automobile Museum in Tustin, raised $100,000. Funds raised go toward supplement classroom resources for six schools in the Capistrano Unified School District. Education for the Children passed the $1 million mark in fund raising after this event.
UCI Medical Center received $100,000 from the North American Foundation for the Cure of Diabetes. The money will be used toward the first-ever islet transplantation program at the facility.
Orange County United Way’s Community Outreach Council recognized Newport Beach-based Pacific Life Insurance Co. for its contributions to AIDS Services Foundations. Pacific Life has sponsored AIDS Walk every year since it began and has donated continuously, including a grant of $60,000 to fund a prevention program that reaches out to young, at-risk Latino men. Pacific Life also donated $22,000 to Orange County United Way’s Loan Executive Program.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society committed $14.3 million to support 30 multiple sclerosis research projects. Two of the projects funded were for researchers at UCI, who got $839,193 to support research projects on multiple sclerosis.
The Art & Creativity for Healing Inc. of Laguna Niguel received seven grants of more than $60,000 from the Employees Community Fund of Boeing California, Change a Life Foundation, the Junior League of Orange County, the Miracle Foundation, the Pacific Life Foundation, the Samueli Foundation and the Weingart Foundation. Art & Creativity is a nonprofit that offers art classes and workshops for children, teens and adults who suffer from abuse, stress, grief or illness.
Mick and Louise Ukleja donated toward a $2.5 million endowment to establish a Center for Ethical Leadership at California State University, Long Beach. Mick Ukleja is the founder and president of LeadershipTraQ in Cypress. Louise Ukleja is president of Opportunity Schools, which delivers programs for private school students with learning challenges.
Orange County United Way approved $30,000 for Latino Educational Attainment community outreach and fund-raising materials. The funds come from the Keeping Kids on Track and Somos Familia initiatives of United Way.
The Community Foundation of Orange, a nonprofit group that raises funds to support community projects, received a $25,000 grant from the Roger Hobbs family. The Hobbs grant will fund local projects or programs. Hobbs is president of RC Hobbs Co. and president of the group.
Cypress-based PacifiCare Health Systems Inc.’s PacifiCare Foundation gave $8,250 to Laurel House, a community group in Tustin. Laurel House is a nonprofit shelter that serves kids ages 12 to 17, providing food, shelter, clothing and medical care. The funds will be used for counseling services.
The PacifiCare Foundation contributed $5,000 to Meals on Wheels of Fullerton. The grant will be used for full or partial meal subsidies for the poor.
