When You Wish Upon a Star
Disneyland Resort served as presenting sponsor of Galaxy of Wishes held on Dec. 7 by Make-A-Wish Orange County & the Inland Empire in partnership with Make-A-Wish Greater Los Angeles.
The fundraiser brought together Southern California area supporters, wish families, corporations, and celebrities all helping grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The event raised more than $2.5 million for Make-A-Wish.
Held at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland Park, the private event honored Dean Spanos, owner, Los Angeles Chargers and his wife, Susie Spanos, as well as Richard and Demi Weitz, co-creators of RWQuarantunes/William Morris Endeavor. Their award was presented by “Star Wars” actor Mark Hamill. Guests enjoyed access to both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park prior to the exclusive nighttime event. Local wish alumni were also in attendance.
“We were honored to join our neighboring chapter Make-A-Wish Greater Los Angeles at the happiest place on Earth, Disneyland, for this one-of-a-kind event,” said Gloria Jetter Crockett, president and CEO, Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire. “We are so grateful to the donors and sponsors who joined us to help grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illness.”
Best Friends
Friends of CASA hosted its annual Holiday Luncheon and Fashion Show on Dec. 2 at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel in Dana Point. This year’s event raised more than $530,000, which will be used to further CASA’s (Court Appointed Special Advocates) mission of supporting children who have experienced abuse, neglect and abandonment.
The event was attended by 420 guests, who participated in a silent auction during the champagne reception. Guests were able to fulfill a child in foster care’s wish through ornaments placed on the Starfish Wish Trees, which featured nearly 400 different wishes from the children in the CASA program. Starfish Wishes included items like new clothes for school, baseball lessons, art supplies and Uber gift cards to get to work.
Barclay Butera Interiors served as Starfish Wish Ornament Sponsor. The opportunity drawing, a necklace valued at $20,000, was provided by Lugano Diamonds.
Following the reception, guests enjoyed the Weekend Max Mara fashion show featuring a sneak preview of the Spring/Summer 2022 Collection on the runway in addition to the Fall/Winter Collection currently available in stores.
Additional sponsors included BDO USA and Wells Fargo.
More than Lunch
Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County hosted its 38th annual “No Lunch” lunch event on Nov. 23.
Held virtually on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to keep with tradition, the event raised more than $128,000 to help feed the approximately 400,000 people in Orange County each month who are currently at risk of going hungry.
In its annual update, Second Harvest leadership addressed major unemployment data as it relates to hunger in Orange County and Second Harvest’s newest way of providing farm-fresh, nutritious food to children and families. The event’s title sponsor was International Paper.
The virtual event featured a 20-minute presentation summarizing Second Harvest’s accomplishments over the past year, the organization’s future, and its mission to serve food-insecure people throughout Orange County.
“By providing nutritious food, day in and day out, we support strong physical, mental and social emotional health in Orange County’s children, workers, students, families—all who are in need of assistance,” said Dave Coffaro, principal, Strategic Advisory Consulting Group and board chair, Second Harvest. “Healthy students are better learners and healthy employees create dynamic workforces, so if we can affect the educational outcomes and productivity of our community, we create opportunities for all to thrive.”
Caring Companies
As longtime supporters of the Jessie Rees Foundation, Surterre Properties is helping lead the charge to bring awareness to the NEGU Network.
The organization encourages kids fighting cancer to never ever give up (NEGU) and has launched the Orange County Chapter of the NEGU Network, with a goal to see 100 caring companies in Orange County commit to giving back.
“As an organization, we strive to think globally while acting locally. We also realize that regardless of industry, we are all in the relationship business,” said Kristine Smith, CMO, Surterre Properties. “It is our deepest hope to see 100 caring companies united for this cause, which will have a lasting impact for so many people.”
The NEGU network is looking for companies that are passionate about helping employees find meaningful ways to give back to the community. Organizations that join the NEGU Network pledge a $1,000 contribution per quarter that goes to support thousands of kids fighting cancer in local hospitals and from their homes. The financial contribution also provides resources and encouragement to parents and siblings who are also impacted by childhood cancer. The NEGU Network currently includes organizations like Wahoo’s, Westamerica Communications, and National Private Label.
Bits & Pieces
Waymakers celebrated the start of the holiday season, in partnership with the City of Huntington Beach, with the 25th Annual Light a Light of Love celebration and fundraiser in downtown Huntington Beach on Dec. 5. The event raised $125,000 benefitting Waymakers’ Huntington Beach Youth Shelter (HBYS), which prioritizes serving homeless and abused children while focusing on family reunification. … Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors raised $32,000 during its 2021 Movember campaign, which was dedicated to “Save a Father, Son, Brother & Loved One,” and marked Hanley’s 11th consecutive year that employees grew a moustache in the month of November to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.
