Hello to Help
More than 300 guests gathered on Sept. 22 at Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach to say, “Bon Voyage!” to domestic violence at the 24th annual Laura’s House gala, which was themed “Ports of Call” this year. The soirée raised nearly $580,000 for services benefiting domestic violence victims.
The money will be used to support the Laura’s House emergency shelter, transitional housing, community programs, legal advocacy, counseling and resource center, prevention and education outreach programs for teens, and more.
Sheriff-Coroner Sandra Hutchens received the 2018 Crystal Heart Award for her help on Laura’s House’s mission. The 2018 Legal Leader Award was presented to Steven G. Hittelman for his support of its legal department over the years through his law firm, Hittelman Strunk Law Group LLP. Hittelman provides pro bono services; trains attorneys to volunteer in domestic violence legal clinics; provides guidance to Laura’s House staff; and supports Laura’s House events throughout the year.
This year’s sponsors included Haskell & White LLP, Verizon, Lucas Development Corp., Park Newport Apartments, Hittelman Strunk Law Group, IHP Capital Partners, R.D. Olson Development and Rutan & Tucker.
Giving From the Heart
The Orange County Heart and Stroke Ball benefiting the American Heart Association raised more than $1 million toward education and research in the fight against heart disease and stroke—the first- and fifth-leading killers in the U.S. The ball, held on Oct. 13 at Balboa Bay Resort, was attended by more than 400 people, who enjoyed a gourmet dinner, dancing and silent and live auctions. This year’s theme was Launching Into the Future.
The event honored heart disease survivor and local philanthropist Paul Musco, founder and chairman of Gemini Industries and a recipient of a heart valve and nine stents. Musco was honored for his longtime commitment to several organizations and causes in Orange County. In addition, the Argyros Family Foundation was celebrated for a grant to fund a CPR kiosk at John Wayne Airport.
The Future is Kindness
Human Options hosted its annual fall luncheon, “UnSelfie: Raising Kind and Resilient Leaders,” on Oct. 4 at the Westin South Coast Plaza to help raise awareness about domestic violence. The event, held during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, raised $234,000 to directly support its relationship-violence programs, including a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling program, legal advocacy and community education. Sponsors included Wells Fargo Bank, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and Kaiser Permanente.
The event brought together more than 350 community members dressed in purple, the color of domestic violence awareness, to support Human Options’ mission to end the cycle of relationship violence.
The luncheon featured keynote speaker Michele Borba, an award-winning author and child development and parenting expert.
Philanthropic Adventures
Orangewood Foundation held its Third Annual Orangewood Adventure Challenge on Catalina Island on Sept.15, attracting tough and tenacious competitors. Racers paid an entry fee and were challenged to secure financial sponsors, raising more than $325,000 for the foundation and exceeding last year’s results by almost $100,000.
Eight teams of four swam, ran, mountain biked, zip lined, and kayaked while testing their navigation skills over a 30-mile course through remote parts of the island, ending in Avalon. Nine women and 23 men competed.
The fastest team, the Wild Kiwis, which included INNvestment Group Chief Operating Officer Pankaj Patel, came in at five hours and two minutes. Coming in second and third, respectively, were Samueli Foundation, which included H&S Ventures Chief Human Resources Officer Jay Scott and Deloitte Tax Partner Greg Dunlap.
Other OC executives who participated included Optima Tax Relief Chief Executive David King and founding and Managing Partner Harry Langenberg; Terrapin Ventures Chief Executive Paul Tobin; Cliq Chief Executive Andy Phillips; and Western Digital Corp. Vice President Roberta Swanson.
Bits & Pieces
Irvine-based Fuscoe Engineering Inc. celebrated its 25th year with 25 Acts of Giving, employees in its Irvine, San Diego, Ontario, Los Angeles, El Centro and San Ramon offices contributing more than 700 volunteer hours to benefit 25 charitable organizations, including Second Harvest Food Bank and Inland Hope Partners Food Bank. … This coming winter, John Wayne Airport will debut the Helping Hands program to give travelers, families and caregivers with support to ease their travel experiences. … Alloy Apparel said it will donate its best-selling twill career pants to Working Wardrobes for women facing challenges looking for a second chance and eager to re-enter the workforce.
