True Excellence
On Oct. 14 Irvine Public Schools Foundation hosted its eighth annual Spirit of Excellence Gala at KIA Motors America. With more than 400 guests in attendance, including a mix of civic and business leaders and individual community members, the event raised more than $720,000 in net proceeds to help fund programs and classroom support for Irvine Unified School District.
FivePoint was the presenting sponsor for the eighth consecutive year. Other corporate sponsors included the Resort at Pelican Hill, Microsemi, Greenberg Taurig, Pillsbury Law, Cox Communications, Kading Briggs LLP and Wells Fargo. The event was hosted by Dennis Kuhl, chairman at Angels Baseball.
“The success of the 2017 Spirit of Excellence Gala is a testament to the unwavering support the Irvine community has for education,” said Neda Eaton, president and chief executive of the Irvine Public Schools Foundation. “The funds raised will make an impact in the educational experience of over 34,000 students in our community.”
Champions for Girls
More than 280 community and business leaders gathered on Nov. 10 at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach to celebrate six female leaders at Girl Scouts of Orange County’s eighth annual Celebrate Leadership Event.
Honorees were Robin Follman-Otta, chief executive of Markall Inc.; Cynthia Stamper Graff, founder of Lindora LLC; Jane L. Kakkis, breast oncology surgeon; Susan B. Parks, chief executive of Orange County United Way; Kerri Sonenshine, vice president, marketing at Far West Restaurant Group; and Julie Ann Ulcickas, etiquette consultant, author and philanthropist.
Each honoree was presented with a custom art piece created by her Girl Scout partner, a symbolic Girl Scout badge to represent her leadership journey.
Attendees raised a net of more than $250,000 to support girl scouting in Orange County. Sponsors included Earth Friendly Products, Pepper Hamilton LLP, Aitken Aitken Cohn, Angels Baseball, Blizzard Entertainment Inc., Epson America Inc., Grant Thornton LLP, KPMG LLP, PAAMCO, California State University-Fullerton, Cibola Systems, Deloitte and Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA.
Helping Those Who Protect
More than 500 Orange County business and philanthropic leaders came together at the Balboa Bay Resort on Nov. 19 for the first-ever Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Orange County Gala, which raised more than $650,000 to support well-being and educational programs for the men and women of the Israel Defense Forces.
Irell & Manella sponsored the event, and Marc Maister, a partner at the law firm and FIDF chairman, was honored during the gala.
FIDF was established in 1981 by a group of Holocaust survivors as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with the mission of offering educational, cultural, recreational and social programs and facilities that support the soldiers who protect Israel and Jews around the world.
Gala to Remember
Elephant Cooperation, a nonprofit dedicated to saving elephants and helping children, hosted a sold-out fete on Nov. 3 at the Resort at Pelican Hill, with more than 300 guests in attendance. The night featured many surprises, such as the adoption of baby elephants and an unexpected $250,000 donation by philanthropist Julia Argyros. The event raised $900,000.
During the evening’s festivities, emceed by George Argyros Jr., president of Elite Financial Group LLC, attendees participated in a live auction, witnessed a live canvas painting by Matt Shapira and mingled with models wearing custom beaded jackets and jewelry from Kenya available for purchase.
“We were thrilled with the overwhelming turnout for this extraordinary event,” said Scott Struthers, co-founder of Sonance Inc. and founder of Elephant Cooperation. “The energy and support we are receiving will save countless of elephants and children in Africa.”
Bits & Pieces
Launched on Oct. 30 and running through year-end, Global G.L.O.W. is “Igniting the Power of HerStory” with the goal of raising $100,000 to empower 500 more girls in vulnerable communities worldwide through literacy, social-emotional learning, and dynamic mentorship. … Orange County’s Credit Union is rolling out a Bite of Reality program to prepare teens for bright futures by helping participants make smart financial decisions while integrating knowledge of money, math and a positive attitude. … Vocational Visions hosted its annual Enchanted Evening benefit, themed Masquerade Ball, on Oct. 28 at the Irvine Marriott, netting $60,000 to provide programs, services and support to develop the talents of adults with disabilities.
