The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation hosted its annual JDRF Dream Gala, “Let’s Misbehave!”, on March 29 at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point. More than 500 of Orange County’s leading business executives, philanthropists and donors raised more than $1 million net for diabetes research.
Featuring a speakeasy theme and emceed by Disneyland Resort Park announcer Bill Rogers, the foundation’s Orange County chapter honored Laguna Niguel residents Janet and Carl Nolet Jr. and Lara and Tom Giddings for their help in its mission to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes. The Giddings and Nolets are close friends who became involved with the foundation when the Giddings’ daughter, Haley, was diagnosed with the disease when she was 11. Haylee is now 17 and managing the condition well.
Dream Gala sponsors included: the Nolets; ABP Capital; Black, Starr & Frost; Golden State Foods Corp.; Stoner Fox Law Group; Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth; First Foundation Advisors; Burberry; the Giddings; Toyota; and Applied Medical Resources.
Autobytel Inc. was the title sponsor of Working Wardrobes’ Men’s Power Up for Success day, donating $10,000 to support the March 15 event.
It was held at Camp Pendleton and aimed to help active-duty service people transition into civilian employment.
The event was part of Working Wardrobes’ VetNet outreach program, which provides career training and employment services for veterans returning from war and struggling to overcome personal challenges. It provided career planning workshops and training seminars conducted by area business leaders, authors and career experts.
Autobytel, in addition to its support of the event, has committed to an annual corporate sponsorship of Working Wardrobes for the fourth consecutive year.
The 16th annual Marconi Fight Night was held March 14 at the Marconi Automotive Museum. It was an action-packed meeting of world-class boxing and title kickboxing, with five professional matches. The California Athletic Commission sanctioned the event. Between matches, guests had dinner and bid on a variety of live and silent auction items. More than 300 people attended.
The event was put on by the Marconi Automotive Museum & Foundation for Kids, along with its charity partner, Infinite Hero, which helps military veterans with health issues. The evening netted $275,000. Guests were welcomed by Priscilla “Bo” Marconi, chief executive of the Marconi Foundation for Kids, alongside Colin Baden, chief executive of Oakley Inc. and founder of Infinite Hero.
Celebrity guests included retired boxer Sugar Ray Leonard.
A masquerade theme was the highlight of the 14th annual Captain’s Ball gala and fundraiser presented by Age Well Senior Services, an Orange County-based nonprofit provider of programs, services and resources for seniors. The event was on March 1 at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point. Nearly 500 guests raised more than $100,000 to support the Meals on Wheels program.
Honorees included Amanda Fowler, executive director of corporate giving; and Marian Anderson, director, talent management and leadership development, both with Edwards Lifesciences in Irvine; along with Steve Geidt, chief executive of Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills; and Marla Noel, president of Fairhaven Memorial Park of Santa Ana.
Monarch HealthCare in Irvine was the presenting sponsor for the second year in a row.
“We are delighted that Monarch returned as the presenting sponsor with another generous donation of $20,000,” said Age Well Chief Executive Dr. Marilyn Ditty.
