Advocates of Freedom
On Sept. 22, Vanguard University’s Global Center for Women and Justice celebrated 15 years of advocacy at Priceless, the university’s sixth annual luncheon valuing justice, freedom and dignity.
More than 300 community leaders, supporters and anti-human-trafficking advocates attended the luncheon at Fashion Island Hotel in Newport Beach to honor victims and educate attendees about the issues of human trafficking in Orange County and globally. The event raised more than $203,000 to support education and prevention, enabling the Global Center to provide scholarships to human trafficking survivors, host educational conferences and international trainings, engage organizations caring for survivors, and more.
This year’s Priceless event continued the tradition of recognizing individuals and organizations in the greater Orange County community who’ve fought to protect and defend human trafficking survivors. They included Bradley Schoenleben, Orange County senior deputy district attorney, and Open Gate International.
Exceeding Expectations
In 2014, Edwards Lifesciences made a commitment to ameliorate the global burden of heart valve disease by treating, educating and supporting a million people around the world by 2020 through the Every Heartbeat Matters initiative.
On Sept. 25, the company announced that the initiative has already exceeded its goal and is now on track to reach 1.5 million underserved people by 2020 with the support of grants from the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation and donations of Edwards heart valve technologies, and the cumulative effort of 60 nonprofit partners.
The company and the foundation plan to invest approximately $30 million in the initiative by 2020.
Humanitarian Honors
Celebration of Global Friendships, a gala spotlighting international humanitarian work of the Plasticos Foundation and honoring local global humanitarians, was held on Sept. 14 at the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa in Huntington Beach.
More than 300 guests attended the affair, which raised $235,000. The money will enable the foundation to continue to improve lives through reconstructive surgery in the United States and around the world.
The event also honored Plasticos founders Dr. Robert and Ruth Ann Burns, and Tim Glassett, Plasticos corporate secretary, general counsel.
Investment advisory firm Palo Capital Inc. received the Corporate Humanitarian Award.
Sponsors included Aivita Biomedical, Allergan PLC, Galatea Surgical, Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery, Palo Capital and Northern Trust Corp.
Victory for Vets
Title sponsor Pacific Premier Bank and presenting sponsor Crisp Imaging joined forces with 104 golfers and 120 guests to raise more than $117,000 to support American Family Housing at its first annual Victories of Spirit Charity Golf Classic.
The Sept. 13 tournament raised money to support the organization’s mission of providing permanent supportive housing and programs for homeless military veterans and other individuals, plus families, in Southern California.
“The proceeds from this event will allow us to continue to support our expanded homelessness initiatives for veterans, as well as families in their time of need, throughout Southern California,” AFH Chief Executive Milo Peinemann said.
Following the rounds of golf, a dinner event celebrated the inspiring stories of AFH families and the veterans who now live at Potter’s Lane, AFH-repurposed shipping containers that house formerly homeless veterans.
Bits & Pieces
Megan Klink, previously with StoryCorps and on Working Wardrobes’ executive team, will follow Lisa Wolter as executive director of Susan G. Komen Orange County, where she’ll lead oversee the organization’s continuing efforts to raise breast cancer awareness and research funding. … MUFG Union Bank Foundation donated $40,000 to the United Way’s United to End Homelessness initiative. … Former Festival of Arts Board Member and festival foundation co-founder and Director John Rayment died on Sept. 15. Born in England, he emigrated to the U.S. in 1958 and began his career with Bank of America. He and David Young founded the foundation with a $1.5 million endowment from the Festival of Arts. … To kick off Global Build Week in October, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County and Bank of America employee volunteers will build two affordable homes for local military veteran families who could never imagine owning a home.
