Calmoseptine Inc., a Huntington Beach-based maker of ointments and other skin products, has reached a milestone: $1 million donated to the American Red Cross.
Since 2018, Calmoseptine has been a partner of the Red Cross, making gifts in support of wildfire relief efforts, international services, the Red Cross COVID-19 response, Canadian Red Cross preparedness efforts, Australian bushfires response, and the Red Cross First Aid App.
“From wildfires to assisting the homeless, elderly, and underprivileged, Calmoseptine donates to these causes and supports the Red Cross mission to help prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies,” said Greg Dixon, founder, Calmoseptine.
Calmoseptine also sponsors programs to teach those in need critical skills, such as healthcare services, to help people support themselves and their families.
Families Forever
The Seneca Family of Agencies celebrated its third annual Forever Families Gala virtually for the first time on Nov. 7, raising $415,000 to support Seneca’s programs work to build and sustain families for the children who need them.
Sponsors included A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation, the Samueli Foundation, ViewSonic, Chapman University, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Lighthouse Escrow, SoMa Cellars and West Coast Arborists Inc.
The event also honored board member Erin Anderson, CEO, A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation. A leader on Seneca’s advisory board for more than 20 years, Anderson has committed to contributing $1 million over the next five years to support Seneca programs, with $200,000 donated solely toward this event.
Battling Breast Cancer
Pacific Premier Bancorp Inc. has contributed a grant of $200,000 to Susan G. Komen’s recently launched pilot program, the Patient Navigation Initiative (PNI). The PNI will provide curriculum-based navigation services to patients to improve the outcomes among underserved populations who are dying from breast cancer at disproportionately higher rates.
“Pacific Premier’s donation is responsive to the need to address equitable health and well-being for low-income and other vulnerable populations in Orange County,” said Steve Gardner, chairman and chief executive of Pacific Premier. “We see this as an enormous avenue to strengthen the role that Patient Navigators play in healthcare delivery and care coordination, aiming at improving a breast cancer patient’s access to care.”
Pacific Premier is the first corporate partner to invest in the program, which addresses health inequalities and improves access to breast cancer care in Orange County. PNI is based on a patient-centered delivery model designed to improve access to healthcare services, guide patients through a complex and confusing healthcare system, and overcome various barriers to healthcare.
“Orange County remains a key community for Susan G. Komen to carry out several of the organization’s key mission priorities,” said Megan Klink, vice president, Susan G. Komen’s West Region. “Komen’s Orange County community is poised to do this important, innovative work together with our local partners to tackle cancer—the second leading cause of death in Orange County.”
Happy Endowment to the Arts
Ed Chang, co-founder, director and CMO, Avenu Medical, and his wife, Maggie Chang, co-president, UCI Research Associates, both longtime arts, education, healthcare philanthropists, made a $90,000 gift to support Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens’ endowment. The gift was made in honor of Ruth DeNault’s 90th birthday in December. DeNault is a founding member of Casa Romantica and is the organization’s board president.
This is the first gift made as part of Casa Romantica’s forthcoming 20th Anniversary endowment campaign, which will develop the nonprofit’s endowment fund. The fund will be managed by Orange County Community Foundation and includes a matching opportunity with $250,000 available to be matched from an anonymous donor who made a special bequest to Casa Romantica in her will.
Bits & Pieces
SoCalGas awarded a $50,000 Climate Adaptation & Resiliency Planning Grant to the City of Anaheim, which will use the funds to address climate resiliency in a way that supports forecasted economic and population growth, while recognizing the differing properties of its diverse residents. … Cox Communications donated $25,000 each to Second Harvest Food Bank, Foodbank of Santa Barbara and The Jacob & Cushman San Diego Food Bank through the James M. Cox Foundation to support local families in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. … The 2020 end of year fundraising campaign conducted by Women’s Transitional Living Center, which has recorded a 23% increase in calls to its 24-hour Helpline from March to December 2020, raised more than $43,000 in support of the programs and services provided, exceeding the original goal of $35,000. … On Feb. 10, the Orange County Community Foundation will host the third annual Love Is Giving Day (love-is-giving-day.ocnonprofitcentral.org), a 24-hour online effort to support healthy teen relationships in Orange County, with the goal of raising $100,000+ for local nonprofits that support, educate and empower local teens.
