Unlimited Potential
UCP of Orange County celebrated its annual Life Without Limits gala on May 5 with more than 300 community and business leaders and other supporters. The Latin-inspired black-tie fundraiser brought in just over $470,000. The event highlighted UCP-OC’s 65th year of providing comprehensive services to children and families affected by developmental disabilities, including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and developmental delay.
Brian Ramos, executive licensed lending officer at loanDepot and father of a 5-year-old UCP-OC child, accepted the Corporate Impact award on behalf of loanDepot, which was recognized for raising $250,000 to support UCP-OC programs.
“For us, getting to know the children and families of UCP-OC has been a tremendous privilege,” said Alex Madonna, senior vice president, sales at loanDepot. “We are so proud and grateful to be a part of helping Orange County children and families live lives without limits.”
Wishes Can Come True
On April 21, the Cystinosis Research Foundation held its annual Natalie’s Wish Gala, “Because We Dared to Dream,” at Fashion Island Hotel in Newport Beach. The event was a record-breaking success, raising more than $3.6 million for cystinosis research.
Nearly 500 guests attended the gala, including more than 50 cystinosis families from around the world, including Sweden, Canada, France, Ireland, Australia and Norway. Sponsors included Lugano Diamonds, Donahue Schriber, Sares-Regis Group, Pacific Premier Bank and Sullivan Curtis Monroe.
In 2003 Natalie Stack was one of about 500 American children with cystinosis, a rare genetic disease. That year Natalie shared with her mother her birthday wish for a cure. Nancy and Jeff Stack set up CRF and raised over $40 million, making it the No. 1 funding source for cystinosis research.
Paving the Way
A record 240 Orange County business leaders, influencers and representatives from the Orange County Department of Education rallied together with local Girl Scouts at the Newport Beach Country Club on May 11 to discuss ways the community can foster collaborative leadership in organizations, schools and communities and pave the way for the next generation of tech-savvy leaders.
The seventh annual Voice for Girls forum included sponsors from BNY Mellon Wealth Management, and O’Melveny & Myers LLP, Beacon Pointe Advisors, Blizzard Entertainment, Cox Communications, KPMG and Western Digital.
Gina L. Osborn, FBI assistant special agent in charge of cyber and computer forensics, headlined the event. As the keynote speaker, she provided candid insights into her own experiences coming up through the ranks in a male-dominated workforce.
Celebrating the Vision
Over 100 guests gathered at the Newport Beach hillside home of Steve Craig, president and chief executive of Craig Realty Group, for an evening honoring the late Barry Hoeven, founder of both US Storage Centers and Westport Properties, and the success of Kure It Cancer Research.
Launched by Hoeven 10 years ago, Kure it Cancer Research has raised nearly $7 million for cancer research for underfunded cancers. Barry’s son Drew, director of operations of Westport Properties and an officer on Kure It’s board, lauded his father’s efforts in partnering with cancer research centers, such as UCLA’s Jonsson, USC’s Norris, UCI’s Chao, City of Hope, and others, in giving research dollars directly to researchers.
“Dad’s vision was to eventually raise $1 million a year for cancer research,” he said.
Charles Byerly, president and chief executive of Westport Properties and US Storage Centers and also a Kure It board member, announced that US Storage Centers will provide a 1:2 matching challenge grant for every donation this year.
“We want to reach Barry’s goal of donating $1 million a year to cancer research,” he said.
Bits & Pieces
On May 17, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim joined forces with Saddleback College, Goodwill and financial experts from Bank of America to host 40 local military veterans at Angel Stadium for a pregame gathering where local bank employees provided free financial education to help put veterans on a path to financial independence. … Casa Romantica netted $5,000 at its 2018 Mary Colby Tea fundraiser on May 5. … Project Independence of Costa Mesa has received donations totaling $9,300 as a result of the nonprofit group’s participation in the recent 2018 OC Marathon and OC 5K race, when staff and volunteers manned a water station sponsored by Union Bank.
