Success from Strength
The 2019 KidWorks’ Foundation for Success luncheon, held Nov. 6 at the Doubletree Hotel in Santa Ana, raised more than $860,000 to help fund afterschool education and leadership development programs conducted by the nonprofit. The event was sponsored by American Career College, Balboa Bay Resort, Bank of America, Donahue Schriber and Caribou Industries, among others.
The 2019 Dan Donahue Leadership Award was presented to longtime KidWorks supporters Heidi and Ruben Mendoza, founder, president and CEO, Foundation Building Materials. The couple was instrumental in the building the original Dan Donahue Center and has been involved in the recent major expansion of that facility.
Ann Meyers Drysdale, vice president of the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, was keynote speaker. Drysdale was a pioneer for women’s basketball, an Olympian, and an award-winning sports newscaster.
Some 450 guests attended the annual event to raise funds for KidWorks’ afterschool programs, including academic enrichment, tutoring, leadership development, and college readiness work at the Dan Donahue Center.
Singing for Scholarships
Chapman University’s annual fall scholarship gala, Chapman Celebrates, was held Nov. 1-2 and raised more than $1.5 million for student scholarships. Sponsors included R.J. Noble Company, SA Recycling, the Crean Foundation, Automobile Club of Southern California, Disneyland Resort and Orco Block & Hardscape.
This year’s theme was “Celebrating the Female Voice” and included a performance by Vanessa Williams, a Grammy-nominated singer and Chapman University parent.
Both nights of the event, a student cast performed a revue of musical classics made famous by women composers and performers, from Dolly Parton’s “Nine to Five” to Aretha Franklin’s “Respect.”
During the gala, Chapman University President Daniele Struppa announced a new scholarship program, a $9 million collaboration with Simon Foundation to help future students in Chapman’s Physician Assistant program complete their education tuition-free.
Walk to Run
Orange County’s biggest community event for Alzheimer’s awareness, Walk4ALZ, and a new 5K run, Run4ALZ, together raised more than $500,000 to fight Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in OC. More than 5,000 people showed their solidarity to defeat these diseases by walking or running at Angel Stadium on Nov. 9.
Funds raised go to Alzheimer’s Orange County’s programs, support services and advocacy to help people living with memory loss and those who care for them. Sponsors included Avanir Pharmaceuticals Inc., Healthpeak Properties, Discount Tire and Service Centers, and Irvine Clinical Research.
Event sponsors “exemplify the true value of a community partner,” said Jim McAleer, CEO and president, Alzheimer’s Orange County. “We’re grateful for their commitment to our mission and commend them for leading the way.”
Empowering Leaders
Human Options and J. F. Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding have been named 2019 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders for Orange County. The nonprofits were selected for their work helping people in vulnerable situations achieve stability and thrive.
Each gets a $200,000 grant, a year of leadership training for the executive director and an emerging leader at the organization, access to a U.S. network of peer organizations, and access to capital.
“Human Options and the Shea Center empower leadership at all levels of their organizations,” said Allen Staff, Orange County market president, Bank of America. “The impact these nonprofits have on meeting specific needs in our community grows exponentially because of their leadership culture that is not dependent on one person.”
Human Options will use the grant to accelerate the transition from domestic violence shelters to permanent housing, increasing access to safe and stable housing for homeless families affected by domestic violence.
Shea Center plans to use the Neighborhood Builders money to sustain therapeutic programs for more than 1,200 children, teens, and adults annually.
Bits & Pieces
Paul Leon, CEO and founder of Illumination Foundation, received the AARP’s Purpose Prize, for his group’s mission serving homeless individuals and families in Orange, Los Angeles and Riverside counties … Hi-Time Wine Cellars hosted the annual Costa Mesa community chili cook-off, raising some $30,000 for Boys & Girls Club of Central Orange Coast; the event has garnered $300,000 in 13 years … Human Options added Jason Weintraub, chief legal officer, El Pollo Loco, to its board.
