Extraordinary Event, Extraordinary Difference
More than 600 supporters came together for the 23rd Annual Stars & Stripes Tournament in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, to help raise more than $3.7 million for nonprofits that pioneer change for youth in Southern California and Mexico. Since 1997, the four-day fishing and golf tournaments and music festival has raised more than $33 million to worthy youth charities.
“Without the support of our generous community who attend the tournament year after year, Stars & Stripes would not be a success,” said Dick Gebhard, chairman, Stars & Stripes and founder, Pinnacle Land Management Inc. “We’re so grateful to our supporters who come back every year to help us raise millions of dollars for worthy charities and truly make a difference in the lives of youth.”
The event was held from June 27 to June 30 at the Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort in support of six youth organizations: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County & the Inland Empire, Miracles for Kids, Orangewood Foundation, Tilly’s Life Center, South Bay Community Services, and Building Baja’s Future. Honorary charities included Halo for Freedom Warrior Foundation and Plasticos Foundation.
A volunteer board of directors, The Knights, led the event. It included Gebhard and members Tim Ryan, chief executive, Honda Center and executive vice president, Anaheim Ducks; Al Baldwin, chairman, Baldwin & Sons; Larry Kirkenslager, senior vice president, pre-construction, Sasco Electric Inc.; Charles Ruck, partner, Latham & Watkins LLP; Zlatko Zadro, president, Zadro Products Inc.; Erik Anderson, president, Anderson Community Partners; and Rick Hausman, business development executive, Rudolph and Sletten.
For the 22nd year in a row, Sasco has supported the event as its title sponsor. Other major sponsors included Ten-X Commercial and the Fruchbom Family.
Getting Closer, Giving More
On July 26, First Foundation Inc. announced it has revamped its nonprofit giving program, Supporting Our Communities, to build a deeper commitment by connecting with nonprofit partners for a longer period of time and provide more resources, including additional opportunities for employee engagement.
First Foundation selected 10 nonprofit partners from regions they serve as their long-term nonprofit partners. The financial services company donated a total of $250,000 to the organizations, which included Junior Achievement of Southern California, Los Angeles and Orange County; WISEplace, Santa Ana; Monkey Business Cafe, Fullerton; Doves of Big Bear Valley Inc., Big Bear Lake; CityTeam, Oakland; Kitchens for Good, San Diego; Boys & Girls Club, Sacramento; Voices for Children, San Diego and Riverside County; Teach for America, Honolulu; and Serving Our Kids Foundation, Las Vegas.
“The ‘Supporting Our Communities’ initiative has afforded us great opportunities to connect with nonprofits doing amazing work,” said Scott F. Kavanaugh, chief executive, First Foundation. “Now we are evolving the initiative, giving our employees opportunity for deeper engagement and impact.”
‘Fore’ Those in Need
Anthem Inc., AmWins Group Inc., OneBeacon Insurance Group, R-T Specialty LLC, Alflac Inc., Blue Shield of California and United HealthCare Services Inc., among others, came together as sponsors of Barney & Barney Foundation’s eighth annual Orange County Golf Classic, held on July 11 at Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point. Founded in 2009, Barney & Barney Foundation is the philanthropy arm of the Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC.
This year’s tournament raised $80,000, which was distributed among three local recipients selected by Marsh & McLennan employees. Make-A-Wish Greater Los Angeles received a $40,000 grant, Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group received $20,000, and Family Services Association received $20,000.
Continuing Commitment
Congrats to Haskell & White, which is led by Managing Partner Wayne Pinnell, on receiving the 2019 CalCPA Public Service Award at a June 27 reception.
The prestigious statewide award was given in recognition of Haskell & White employees, who, last year volunteered about 1,000 hours in support of missions that focus on the arts, as well organizations that support families. Some of the nonprofits that have benefitted from Haskell & White’s commitment include the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, Laura’s House, The Wooden Floor, and Susan G. Komen Orange County.
Bits & Pieces
On July 17, the Orange County Community Foundation partnered with Alzheimer’s Orange County, SeniorServ, Council on Aging-Southern California, Southern California Hospice Foundation and St. Francis Home to host the second annual Preserving Dignity, a giving day for OC’s older adults in need, raising $73,000 in 24 hours … Goodwill of Orange County was awarded a $30,000 grant from Bank of America to invest in its Workforce Development programs to support and expand vital job readiness and placement programs for veterans living in Orange County … On July 23, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 splashdown, the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum honored astronaut Dr. Buzz Aldrin with the “Richard Nixon Greatest Comeback Award” at a ceremony in the East Room.
