Worldwide Impact
More than 600 philanthropists and business and community leaders assembled at the Orange County Community Foundation’s annual meeting on Nov. 14 at Hotel Irvine, featuring keynote speaker Mike Mussallem, chairman and chief executive of Edwards Lifesciences Corp.
Foundation President Shelley Hoss announced that its assets grew to $378 million during the fiscal year ended June 30.
For the fourth consecutive year, foundation grants and scholarships reached nearly $79 million, placing it in the top 2% in grant-bestowing among nearly 800 U.S. community foundations.
“We’re pleased to announce that OCCF has granted more than $300 million to philanthropic causes in Orange County, across the nation and around the world in the last five years alone,” said Hoss, who wrote an article with Mussallem in the Dec. 10 edition of the Business Journal.
Mussallem said, “Working with OCCF, we’ve collaborated with and been inspired by others, multiplying our efforts and learning from successes and opportunities for growth in order to drive lasting results across Orange County and beyond.”
Sponsors included Edwards Lifesciences Foundation, the Thompson Family Foundation, Rimrock Capital Management LLC, City of Hope Orange County, Angels Baseball, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, the Anaheim Ducks, Deloitte and RiverRock Real Estate Group.
A Wise Decision
WISEPlace presented An Evening With Jane Fonda on Dec. 6 at Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach, raising over $225,000 to support “Embrace,” a new initiative focused on providing permanent supportive housing for homeless women in Orange County. Affordable Housing Access, Aitken Aitken Cohn, Burnham Benefits, GGG Demolition Inc. and Keller/Anderle LLP sponsored the event.
Funds raised at the gala will address the growing need for long-term housing through WISEPlace’s recently launched Embrace $5 Million Capital Campaign, an expansion that will add 30 permanent housing units with wrap-around services and a small emergency shelter for the most vulnerable women in Orange County.
“It takes all of us to solve the homeless problem here in OC,” said Wylie Aitken, founder of Aitken Aitken Cohn and platinum sponsor of the event. “WISEPlace is part of the solution, and we are honored to participate in providing much needed permanent supportive shelter for homeless women at this incredible facility.”
Big Score
Rivals United for a Kure, the major support group of Kure It Cancer Research, held its annual gala on Nov. 11 at the City National Grove of Anaheim to raise money for underfunded cancer research, netting more than $250,000. Proceeds are targeted to the UCLA Jonsson and USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Centers for innovative cancer research.
The long-standing football rivalry between UCLA and USC unites supporters of both universities to raise funds for cancer research at leading cancer centers. This year’s gala was attended by 250 guests.
Star USC and NFL quarterback Paul McDonald welcomed the audience. He credited the late Barry Hoeven, founder of Westport Properties Inc., who lost his fight with kidney cancer in 2016, for founding Kure It Cancer Research 10 years ago, and said Kure It Cancer Research is committed to carrying forward Hoeven’s vision of donating $1 million every year to cancer research.
Main gala sponsors were City National Bank and US Storage Centers, as well as Briggs Electric, Sperry Commercial Real Estate, Fidelity National Title, Bank of the West and The Leeson Group.
Masterful Event
“Chef Masters,” benefiting Alzheimer’s Family Center, held its inaugural benefit for 375 guests at the oceanfront Paséa Resort & Spa in Huntington Beach on Oct. 28. Major underwriters were Julia Argyros, president of the Argyros Family Foundation, and philanthropist Sue Gross. The effort netted more than $100,000 for center programs.
The culinary extravaganza offered guests a 90-minute gourmet food and wine reception on the resort’s terrace featuring 31 top Orange County chefs and restaurants, as well as an offering of upscale California wines.
Participating restaurants included Tanner’s, Paséa Hotel & Spa, Oceans & Earth, Future Foods Farm, Orange Hill Restaurant, True Food Kitchen, Prego Ristorante, The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar and Journeyman’s Food & Drink.
At the event center, Chief Executive Joanna Richardson-Jones recognized Hoag Hospital for its 40 years of support.
Bits & Pieces
Orange County’s Credit Union was honored at the 21st Annual Nuestra Imagen Awards as the 2018 Excellence in Corporate Business recipient, which highlighted it for its commitment to the Long Beach community. … Think Together was awarded a $172,000 grant from LA84 Foundation, a legacy of the 1984 Olympic Games, in support of competitive sports programs at 48 public schools serving more than 5,500 middle school students. … Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors raised $25,000 at its annual Movember campaign, marking its eighth consecutive year joining the global movement to raise awareness and critical funds for men’s health, by participants growing mustaches in the month of November.
