Care for the Most Fragile
On March 26, CHOC Children’s announced a $5 million gift from the William, Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation to expand its Small Baby Unit (SBU) on its main hospital campus. Opened in 2010, the SBU focuses on the unique needs of the smallest and sickest babies—infants born at less than 28 weeks’ gestation or weighing less than a kilogram—about 2.2 pounds—it is the only unit of its kind anywhere.
In CHOC’s North Tower it currently has two four-bed pods and four individual rooms, of which two are fully functional operating suites. Different from a traditional neonatal intensive care unit, this smaller unit allows for a darker, quieter environment that encourages developmentally supportive care.
The donation will support the build out of CHOC’s Bill Holmes Tower, including the addition of between 20-24 beds in an environment of private rooms.
The Gross Family Foundation was founded last year by famed bond investor Bill Gross, a co-founder of Newport Beach’s PIMCO, one of the world’s largest money managers, and his children, Jeff and Jennifer. The foundation, which has about $380 million in assets, plans to annually give away about $20 million, including $10 million to OC-based charities.
Creating and Saving Memories
On March 23, about 350 people gathered at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum hotel to dine, dance and donate funds to support the work of Alzheimer’s Orange County (“AlzOC”) at the nonprofit’s annual gala, “100% Local.” Through ticket sales, sponsorships, live and silent auctions, and fund-a-need donations, the event netted more than $440,000.
Sponsors included Angels Baseball, Pau Maui Vodka, Antis Roofing and Waterproofing, CareChoices and Irvine Cottages.
Making an Impact in the OC
Wells Fargo gave more than $3.67 million through 240 grants to nonprofits, schools and community organizations in 2018 to help the communities and people of Orange County in need. Wells Fargo said its philanthropic contributions build on a long history of collaboration with local nonprofits and community leaders to make a positive impact by addressing urgent community issues such as homelessness, economic development, and access to education.
“Here in Orange County, we want to help people find a stable place to live, help small business owners expand, and help young people gain a quality education that prepares them for the workforce,” said Keith Kobata, Orange County region bank president.
Grant beneficiaries include Mercy House, Illumination Foundation, United Way of Orange County, HomeAid OC, Project Hope Alliance, Orange County Conservation Corps, Junior Achievement and Samueli Academy.
Jazz it Up
Ocean Institute raised more than $300,000 at its 17th Annual Jazz Festival March 29-30. As title sponsor, Monarch Beach Resort managed a team of culinary experts from The Ranch at Laguna Beach, Montage Laguna Beach, Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa, and Driftwood Kitchen for a sold-out Saturday evening gala dinner for 170 people.
On Friday evening, more than 360 people enjoyed signature dishes from ten local restaurants and drinks sponsored by Ketel One Vodka, Frog’s Leap Winery, Trinitas Cellars, Korbel California Champagne and Sonoma-Cutrer. Grammy-award winner Deniece Williams, Spencer Day, Michael Paulo and Gregg Karukas performed both nights. Funds were raised to support the Adopt-A-Class program for disadvantaged students to experience the ocean as their classroom.
Bits & Pieces
For the sixth year in a row, Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP, a real estate focused law firm with offices in Orange County, Los Angeles and San Francisco, sponsored the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation’s 21st Annual Reaching for the Cure event in Irvine … Human Options, an Orange County-based nonprofit dedicated to ending the cycle of relationship violence, received a $10,000 grant award from the OC Bar Association Charitable Fund to fund legal advocacy services for victims of domestic violence … Cox Charities is celebrating 20 years of giving in California with 20 acts of kindness in California communities served by Cox, including funding high school scholarships, providing grants to nonprofit organizations this year, and donations that support local youth and families.
