C’est La Vie Celebration
Pacific Symphony presented “A Night in New Orleans” on March 7 at Hotel Irvine. The gala honored Carl St. Clair’s 30 seasons as a music director and celebrated the Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom family for its extensive support of Pacific Symphony. The sold-out event netted more than $1.8 million.
The evening included a reception set in the French Quarter of New Orleans, gourmet dining featuring traditional French cuisine and a silent and live auction.
An array of street performers, including Antebellum living statues, a tarot card fortune teller, a palm reader and poets entertained the guests.
In a surprise announcement, Howard and Roberta Ahmanson honored St. Clair with a $2 million gift to fund the Frieda Bellinfante Class Act program for another eight years through the Symphony’s 50th anniversary in 2028.
Stand and Deliver
Delivering on its “Yards Against Homelessness” promise, Irvine’s Kia Motors America presented a $450,000 check to StandUp for Kids during the grand opening of its Orange County Center of Hope on March 4.
The campaign culminated with an advertisement during the Super Bowl game between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs. StandUp for Kids, which helps homeless and at-risk youth, will be able to leverage the gift across its 18 chapters and here in Orange County.
“I think it’s an amazing thing. Aside from the monetary donation, the idea that such a big company cares and is willing to highlight the effects of youth homelessness in our area is a great thing,” said Greg Smith, national executive director for StandUp for Kids.
The Orange County chapter of StandUp for Kids prides itself on its 85% success rate in transitioning homeless youth from crisis to self-sufficiency, and will continue to progress in its effort to end youth homelessness.
The Beauty of Giving
MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Foundation’s annual Beauty In Grace Luncheon, which was held Feb. 4 at Montage Laguna Beach, raised more than $74,000 to purchase needed equipment for the hospital’s Labor, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum unit. The funds were raised through the members’ annual dues. Over the last four years, the annual luncheon has raised $275,000 for women’s health services.
Marcia Manker, CEO of Saddleback Medical Center, thanked the members for their generosity. “Your single gift, combined with the gifts of everyone here, is making a remarkable impact on how we are able to care for women in our community,” Manker said.
A Classic Move
On March 6 at the Hoag Classic, Kingston Technology announced a gift of $70,000 in scholarships for Hoag employees and local students.
The Hoag Employee Scholarship Program received $50,000 to provide scholarships for non-nursing employees who are actively pursuing education to advance their careers at Hoag.
“A commitment to furthering education is a core value of Kingston Technology,” said Larry Gonzales, vice president, administration, Kingston Technology. “We are proud to be a partner of the Hoag Classic and to have this opportunity to support our community.”
In addition, $10,000 was gifted to four students from The First Tee of Orange County, $5,000 to The First Tee of Orange County to support their mission, and $5,000 to Newport Beach Country Club’s Scholarship Fund to support employees’ families.
“We are beyond grateful to Kingston Technology for their generous donation towards the Hoag Employee Scholarship Program,” said Robert Braithwaite, president and CEO of Hoag (see Leader Board, page 37). “These scholarships provide an incredible opportunity for our staff to further their education and make strides towards achieving their career goals.”
Bits & Pieces
On March 12, the Orange County Community Foundation partnered with seven local nonprofits raising nearly $47,000 in a 24-hour event called The Future Is Working, a Giving Day to develop a stronger workforce for Orange County and build pathways to success for the community’s most vulnerable populations. … MOMS Orange County named Edwards Lifesciences Corp. as its 2020 Champion for Babies & Families Awardee, which celebrates an Orange County employer that creates a working environment exceptionally supportive of employees who are expecting and employees who are new parents. … City National Bank donated $5,000 to Habitat for Humanity Orange County as part of its national build initiative where the bank donated nearly $400,000 to Habitat nationally.
