A Notable Celebration
Pacific Symphony’s 43rd season began Sept. 30 with an Opening Night Celebration featuring a grand reception, dinner and entertainment surrounding the first concert of the 2021-22 Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation Classical Series: “Emanuel Ax Plays Mozart.”
The sold-out event, which was themed “A Notable Gathering,” was attended by 200 guests and raised $300,000 net to benefit the Symphony’s artistic programming and education and community engagement programs. One of the premier philanthropic events in the Southland, the Symphony’s opening night honored the Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation and family members, Sally Segerstrom, Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, Susie and Steve Perry, and Rae and Ted Segerstrom.
“Tonight’s theme for the evening, ‘A Notable Gathering,’ honors not only the Symphony’s return to the concert hall, but also our resilience during the pandemic,” said Judy Whitmore, owner, JBW Commercial Properties, board of directors Pacific Symphony, and event chair. “We acknowledge, with gratitude, our remarkable Pacific Symphony family that made it possible.”
The festivities began with a cocktail reception al fresco on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza, followed by a gourmet dinner and dessert.
Jewel of an Event
More than 300 guests attended the Jewel of OC fundraising soiree for Alzheimer’s Orange County.
Held Oct. 16 at the Hanger at the OC Fair & Event Center, the sold-out event raised more than $1 million to fund critically needed, life-changing programs and services for the 84,000 local Orange County residents affected by Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.
Highlights of the evening included a silent auction, live auction and an opportunity drawing featuring a $22,000 ruby and diamond pendant provided by Lugano Diamonds, as well as an awards presentation honoring Alison Hoeven, legacy partner; Dung Trinh, MD; Ed Schrum, president and CEO, CareChoices Home Health Services Inc. and Elite OC Productions.
The event sponsors included Dr. Jacqueline DuPont-Carlson, founder and CEO, Dupont Residential Care Inc.; Marc Carlson, owner, MCC Property Management; Iacocca Family Foundation; Julia and George Argyros; Newport Beach Urgent Care; Avanir; CareChoices; Discount Tire & Service Centers; the Frome Family Foundation; Caring Companions at Home; Sperry Equities; Elite OC Productions; 360 Clinic; Amada Senior Care; Angels Baseball; Guardian Angels Homes; Belmont Village Senior Living; First American Trust; Innovative Integrated Health; Silverado Senior Living and UCI MIND.
Among the underwriters were the Anaheim Ducks, Boss Printers and Farmers & Merchants Bank.
Fantastic Festival Fundraiser
Festival of OC Chefs, benefiting KidWorks, hosted its first culinary event on Oct. 3 at the Newport Beach Country Club. The event earned net proceeds of more than $640,000, which will be used to help fund the nonprofit’s academic support, character and leadership development programs that empowers students in Orange County’s underserved neighborhoods from pre-K through their college years.
“We are most proud of the fact that 100% of our high school graduates enroll in college or university,” said Cory Alder, president, Nexus Development, KidWorks board member and event co-chair.
More than 425 guests attended the outdoor food festival, sampling dishes prepared by professional chefs, including Graeme Blair, Newport Beach Country Club; Pascal Olhats, Baja Shellfish; Lindsay Smith-Rosales, Nirvana Grille; Robert Gomez, A Restaurant; Victor Soto, Cannery Seafood of the Pacific; Fonzy De Zuniga, Descanso; Donald Lockhart, Laguna Premier Events; Adam Navidi and Troy Hashimoto, Oceans & Earth; and Michael Campbell, Pacific Pearl Catering. Guests enjoyed wine from Duckhorn, JCB, Justin, Crown Point and others.
The Kay Family Foundation and David A. Pyle Family were the presenting sponsors and were recognized for their ongoing support of KidWorks’ mission. Additional sponsors included Brunton Management, Largo Concrete, Meadows Asset Management, Sacred Harvest Foundation, Sares Regis Group, Schriber Family Foundation, Ueberroth Family Foundation, Madison Street Partners, Lyon Living and US Bank.
Options for Awareness
Human Options hosted its annual Fall Luncheon on Oct. 14 at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum, and via livestream, to help educate and raise awareness about relationship violence. The event, held during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, raised nearly $200,000 to support Human Options’ relationship violence programs, including a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling program, legal advocacy, and community education.
The Jaffe Family Foundation was the Fall Luncheon Title Sponsor, with Platinum Sponsors including Capital Group and The Hummelberg Family. Silver Sponsors included the Handel Sunrise Foundation and the Bronze Sponsors included Crevier Family Foundation and Schilling Law Group.
Guests came dressed in purple, the color of domestic violence awareness, to support Human Options’ mission.
Bits & Pieces
• Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors is kicking off its annual Movember campaign and has dedicated it to “Save a Father, Son, Brother & Loved One,” marking its 11th consecutive year growing a mustache in the month of November to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention, a campaign which has raised nearly $270,000 in the last decade.
• Orange County Rescue Mission recently marked a new roofing installation at House of Hope, its transitional home for women with children, made possible by Antis Roofing and Waterproofing and their contributing partners.
• On Oct. 24, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire, along with the help of Chapman University, UCI and Fullerton College hosted a college mentoring event, Big Brothers Big Sisters: College Bigs Kick-Off which provides low -income students with 1-to-1 mentoring sessions once a month, which will help students increase social capital and strengthen college and career readiness.
