$10M Ways to Help
Allergan’s Irvine-based charitable arm, the Allergan Foundation, awarded a total of $10 million in charitable grants in 2019. The 2019 grants bring the Allergan Foundation’s total donations in its 21-year history to approximately $95 million, including $45 million since 2015.
“We at the Allergan Foundation are honored and proud to offer our support to the many organizations striving to make a difference in the health and well-being of our communities,” said Brent Saunders, chairman, Allergan Foundation and chairman and CEO, Allergan PLC. “We are privileged to work closely with many of these organizations whose missions are focused on Allergan’s key therapeutic areas including eye care, central nervous system, breast health and gastroenterology.”
The Allergan Foundation’s 2019 grants were distributed to local and national nonprofit organizations including Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, American Glaucoma Society, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, National Alliance on Mental Illness, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Girls Inc.
Feeding the Neediest
Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County held its annual “No Lunch” Lunch event on Nov. 26 at the Food Bank’s distribution center in Irvine, hosting nearly 600 attendees and raising more than $220,000 to feed Orange County’s neediest families. In keeping with its 36-year tradition, the luncheon was held just before Thanksgiving, encouraging attendees to dine on a modest lunch of soup generously provided by Antonio Cagnolo’s Antonello Ristorante while raising funds for those in need.
The event also recognized Enterprise Rent-A-Car as the 2019 Founders Legacy Award Corporate Partner and Giving Children Hope as the 2019 Founders Legacy Award Community Partner.
Corporate sponsors for this year’s event included Golden State Foods, FivePoint, International Paper, Raymond Handling Solutions, Union Bank, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Kinecta Federal Credit Union, Perc Water Corporation, Rutan & Tucker LLP, Southern California Gas Co. and University of California-Irvine.
A Light of Love
Chevron, Car Pros Kia Huntington Beach, Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa, City National Bank, Toyota of Huntington Beach, AES, Duke’s Huntington Beach, Angels Baseball and Swinerton Builders were among the sponsors of Waymakers’ annual “Light a Light of Love” holiday celebration and fundraiser, which took place on Dec. 8 at the Huntington Beach Pier.
Thousands of community members participated in a countdown to the Huntington Beach giant snowflake lighting during the event. The fundraiser helped raise $125,000, which is critical due to a recent loss of federal funds. Proceeds will benefit nonprofit Waymakers’ Huntington Beach Youth Shelter, a “safe haven” for homeless, runaway, abused and at-risk youth.
The event included live music and a children’s holiday parade with grand marshal David Fletcher, an Orange County native and third baseman for the Los Angeles Angels. Guests also had the opportunity to take photos with Surf City Santa and Mrs. Claus before the lighting ceremony of more than 83 giant snowflakes throughout Main Street and the pier.
A Heritage of Giving
Five generations of the Walker Family of Farmers & Merchants Bank were recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Heritage Pointe at its 2019 annual fundraising gala, which celebrated Heritage Pointe’s 30th anniversary milestone of serving seniors living in the Jewish Tradition. More than 200 people joined the festivities, which took place on Dec. 8 at Hotel Irvine.
“My grandfather, C.J. Walker, founded Farmers & Merchants Bank nearly 112 years ago, based upon the principles of honesty, integrity, the home, the church, and service above self,” said W. Henry Walker, fourth-generation president, Farmers & Merchants Bank. “Following the Walker family tradition of giving back to the community, F&M Bank has been proud to support Heritage Pointe and [its] mission to provide a safe and secure living environment for their residents.”
The five Walker men who have been at the helm of Farmers & Merchants Bank, and whose leadership and legacy are being honored with this special award, include Charles J. Walker, Gustavus A. Walker, Kenneth G. Walker, Daniel K. Walker, and W. Henry Walker.
Bits & Pieces
Cox Communications awarded $50,000 in “Innovation in Education” grants to 20 schools throughout its Orange County service area to fund innovative programs for students in grades K-12, including projects that provide creative, technology-based curriculum and enhance the traditional classroom experience … Angels Baseball Foundation announced their new board of directors, with board leadership comprised of Dennis Kuhl, chairman, Angels Baseball; Nicole Moreno, co-owner, Angels Baseball and Molly Jolly, senior vice president, finance and administration, Angels Baseball … The Child Abuse Prevention Center recently changed its name to The Priority Center, which, according to Lisa Fujimoto, the nonprofit’s executive director, reflects the center’s expansion into a broader spectrum of programs beyond child abuse services and embodies its focus on clients of all ages.
