A New Decade of Giving
The Pacific Life Foundation plans to give $7.25 million in charitable funding in 2020. Supporting communities where Pacific Life employees live and work, the grants will focus on the areas of arts and culture, civic, community and economic development, the environment, education, and health and human services.
Totaling almost $2 million, the Pacific Life Foundation’s initial 2020 Southern California grants were presented to 155 nonprofit agencies on Jan. 28 at its annual reception held at Pacific Life’s Newport Beach headquarters. As part of the evening’s special presentation, Human Options was awarded the Walter B. Gerken Community Service Award, named after Pacific Life’s former chairman and CEO, and a $100,000 unrestricted cash grant.
Highlights of the 2020 giving program include the Ronald McDonald House Orange County, which received $150,000 to renovate and expand its existing space, adding 24 new guest rooms, an upgraded kitchen, private family consultation room, two additional living rooms, a playground, and sensory and teen rooms and United Way campaign.
Continuing the Legacy
Childhelp rolled out the red carpet for their Legends of Hollywood sixth annual fall gala, Oct. 19 at the Resort at Pelican Hill. The theme honored the legacy of the organization, which was founded 60 years ago by actresses Yvonne Fedderson and Sara O’Meara.
The event, which drew more than 250 guests, netted more than $375,000. The funds will be used to support Childhelp services, including child abuse prevention programs and intervention programs, as well as treatment programs that help children overcome traumatic pasts.
The evening featured whiskey tasting, dining and dancing. Live and silent auctions and the grand prize raffle provided opportunities for everyone to contribute toward stopping child abuse and neglect.
Looking to the Future
Child Guidance Center of Orange County raised more than $190,000 for leading mental health treatment services for vulnerable children and families at their 37th annual Holiday Tree Fantasy event held Dec. 8 at the Balboa Bay Resort.
More than 250 business, community, and philanthropic leaders attended the event, including presenting sponsor David Colton, CEO, The Colton Co.; Josh Buttrey, CEO, Buttrey Financial-Northwestern Mutual Group; Bob Voorhees, senior vice president, Voorhees Wealth Management Group-Stifel Advisors; Steven Martinez, president and COO, Zone 4 Integration and Design; Robert Jechart, CEO, RJE International (see story, page 14); Michael Caito, CEO, MAP Consulting; Brig. Gen. Denton Knapp; and Gaddi Vasquez, former director of the U.S. Peace Corps, ambassador to the United Nations Agencies and senior vice president, Southern California Edison.
The event celebrated “The Magic of Childhood” with signature designer-decorated tree packages for raffle themed after whimsical childhood stories including “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Mary Poppins,” “Peter Pan,” “Toy Story,” and more. Guests enjoyed a champagne reception, silent and live auction, premium wine-pull, tree auctions and more.
Compassion in Every Season
Joe Maddon, new manager of the Los Angeles Angels, is also the founder of the Respect 90 Foundation, which provides at-risk children and families opportunities to develop championship attitudes through sports, academics and community involvement. One of the organization’s key initiatives is Thanksmas, a program designed to bring awareness to the fact that homelessness is an issue every day, not only on the holidays.
On Jan. 28, Maddon and his wife, Jaye, brought Thanksmas to Orange County Rescue Mission and served a meal to the men, women and children living at Village of Hope.
Event sponsors included Louie’s by the Bay, which provided the meals; Citypak, which donated backpacks filled with personal care items; and DivvyUp, which donated socks for the approximately 200 residents at Village of Hope.
Bits & Pieces
Girls Inc. of Orange County received a donation of $125,000 from Boeing Co. that will go directly toward the organization’s new BoldBots program, which empowers young girls to pursue careers in the STEM field while gaining skills in communication, problem solving, teamwork and adaptability. … Hoag’s Community Benefit Program made a $25,000 donation to support Radiant Health Centers’ HIV Case Management services. … Think Together received $102,500 in grants from Kaiser Permanente—$60,000 from Kaiser Permanente Northern California to support programs in Santa Clara and Alameda counties and $42,500 from Kaiser Permanente Southern California, which will help the nonprofit serve 48 elementary schools and over 5,000 students daily.
Special Notice
On Feb. 2, a fire broke out at the Working Wardrobes headquarters in Irvine. The entire building and everything in it were destroyed. Financial donations are needed to help Working Wardrobes rebuild and continue its mission to provide services that help veterans, seniors,
and unemployed get back into the workforce. To make a financial donation, please visit:
https://workingwardrobes.org/donate-money.
