1,000 Volunteers
The Pimco Foundation, Pacific Investment Management Co.’s charitable arm, held its sixth annual Global Week of Volunteering from July 20 to 25. Nearly 1,000 Pimco employees participated in more than 100 diverse, community-based projects around the world. The effort is part of the year-round Global Volunteer Initiative spearheaded by the foundation, which was established in 2001 to support nonprofit organizations operating in the firm’s communities.
In Orange County, Pimco volunteers presented an interview skills workshop to military veterans at Working Wardrobe’s VetNet program; painted a mural designed by a former patient at Children’s Hospital of Orange County; and served lunch to homeless people at Someone Cares Soup Kitchen. Similar events were held in Hong Kong, London, Munich, New York, Sydney and Toronto.
“By working with local organizations, the Pimco Foundation is committed to improving lives, communities and culture by empowering those in need,” said Doug Hodge, Pimco’s chief executive and president of the foundation.
Making the Arts Their Business
Segerstrom Center for the Arts held its inaugural Arts and Business Leadership Awards Dinner at the Samueli Theater on July 10 to recognize Orange County business leaders for supporting the arts. The sold-out event raised $250,000 to support the center’s education programs, which reach nearly 300,000 young people each year.
John R. Evans and Wells Fargo received the Distinguished Leader Award, and Lisa Vogel, co-president of RAJ Manufacturing, was honored with the Rising Leader Award. Two center board members chaired the event: John Ginger, owner and president of J. Ginger Masonry, and Mark C. Perry of Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Guests were treated to a performance of “Jersey Boys” in Segerstrom Hall and a private cast party following the show. The Orange County Business Journal was an event sponsor.
Fresh Start for Neighborhood
Wells Fargo, in partnership with KidWorks, hosted a financial literacy class at the KidWorks’ Bishop Manor apartments satellite location in Santa Ana to help residents understand how to manage and make the most of their money. During the class, Wells Fargo presented KidWorks with a $213,600 check under the UrbanLIFT Community Grant Program. The money will fund the demolition of the apartment complex’ carports, where illegal drug and other criminal activity take place, KidWorks said.
UrbanLift, funded by Wells Fargo and administered by NeighborWorks America, provides support to local nonprofits for neighborhood revitalization projects.
A ‘Nite’ to Remember
The historic Battleship USS Iowa at the Los Angeles Waterfront in San Pedro was the setting for the second annual VetNet Nite celebration and fundraiser. More than 400 guests attended the sold-out event on June 21, raising $285,000 to benefit VetNet, a division of nonprofit organization Working Wardrobes.
VetNet Nite served as the launch pad for generating funds needed to sustain VetNet’s efforts to provide military veterans with specialized job training and placement opportunities, career development, comprehensive assessment and support, professional wardrobe services, social reintegration, and other services.
Boeing Co., the Wells Fargo Foundation, and VetNet cofounder and Executive Director Harry Humphries were recognized as 2014 VetNet champions for their continued dedication to VetNet and local Southern California veterans.
Bits & Pieces
Private jet charter firm STAjets, headquartered at the John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, donated a cross-country flight to take 5-year-old cancer patient Desi Cechin for surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. … Oakmont of Capriana’s first annual antique appraisal event raised $3,300 for St. Jude Medical Center.
