Giving in Gratitude
Mike Gray, founder of baked goods company Sweet Life Enterprises in Santa Ana, and his wife, Lori, donated a large financial gift to Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. The Grays wish to keep the amount of the donation private, but Hoag representatives say it’s among the largest in the hospital’s history.
“We wanted to use our resources as a tool to affect multiple lives, and Hoag seemed like a perfect avenue for that,” Lori Gray said.
The Grays’ donation will support Hoag’s mental health and addiction outreach programs. “It is a blessing to be able to be a part of giving back to the community,” said Mike Gray. “To know that we have given something back to our community is a very special feeling.”
In honor of the couple’s gift, Hoag Health Center Newport Beach has been named the Mike & Lori Gray Campus.
Eight Over 80
Senior community Heritage Pointe hosted its 28th Annual Fundraising Gala on Nov. 5 at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach with more than 500 guests in attendance.
The event honored “8 Over 80” Orange County philanthropists over the age of 80 for their philanthropic efforts and charitable giving over their lifetimes.
“We asked the Orange County Jewish community to nominate these philanthropic individuals from our community,” said Beth Slavin, Heritage Pointe director of philanthropy. “These honorees, who are in their ninth and tenth decades, continue to live lives of remarkable achievement, vitality, and civic engagement.”
The “8 Over 80” honorees recognized at the gala include Leona Aronoff-Sadacca, Dr. Doris Chasin, Rose Lacher, Dr. Joe Lebovitz and his wife, Barbara, Marlene Mitnick, Dr. Herb Modelevsky, Blossom Siegel and Polly Sloan.
“Our Heritage Pointe Gala this year offered us all a rare opportunity to celebrate giving, volunteering, and charitable engagement, thus raising awareness of the role of philanthropy in our daily lives,” said Heritage Pointe Chief Executive Mike Silverman.
Inspired by Givers
The Edwards Lifesciences Foundation hosted its annual grant reception in November at the Edwards Lifesciences global headquarters in Irvine. Mike Mussallem, Edwards chairman and chief executive, announced $8.5 million in grants and spoke about how all Edwards employees are inspired to be involved and give back to organizations. He said more than 75% of its employment base around the world does.
More than 200 people representing the foundation’s community partners were honored and recognized for their charitable work. Community programs within Edwards’ global corporate giving focus on programs that strengthen communities where Edwards employees live and work and provide opportunities for employee volunteering.
Passport to Imagination
The Peter and Ginny Ueberroth Family and S.L. Gimbel foundations are an integral part of the Laguna Playhouse TheatreHope program for homeless children during the holidays, according to Doug Vogel, Laguna Playhouse director of development.
TheatreHope, in partnership with Project Hope Alliance, provides complimentary theater tickets, transportation to and from the theater, and boxed lunches to homeless and food-insecure families; children fighting terminal illness; military veterans and their families; and people with disabilities.
“The theater provides an imagination passport for children that elevates their dreams to what is possible like nothing else,” said Project Hope Alliance Executive Director Jennifer Friend.
“We are very thankful for the support of funders such as S.L. Gimbel Foundation and the Peter and Ginny Ueberroth Family Foundation for providing hope and holiday cheer for kids and their families this holiday season,” Vogel said.
The program’s 2018 goal is to provide theater experiences to 2,000 participants.
Bits & Pieces
Meathead Movers Chief Executive Aaron Steed joined the board of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. … Katie Ellis, who’s served as executive director of Opus Community Foundation since 2010, was appointed to the Opus Community Foundation’s board of directors. … OC Gateway to Housing recently received the Samueli Foundation Big Hearts Award, which was presented to 10 OC agencies honored for serving the community with creative, sustainable and entrepreneurial programs.
