Dreams Come True
The JDRF Orange County Chapter’s 20th anniversary Platinum Dream Gala brought together 500 business leaders, sponsors and organization supporters to help raise more than $1.1 million for diabetes research.
The black-tie event, which took place March 19 at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, was sponsored by the Allergan Foundation, the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Toyota Motor Sales, USA Inc. and South Coast Plaza, which served as the gala Community Engagement Partner, among others.
The gala included silent, wine and live auctions. The Fund-A-Cure portion of the evening raised just under $300,000, which will be invested in research programs, including the development of next-generation therapies, such as artificial pancreas technology, beta cell encapsulation, and “smart” insulin that turns on and off in response to blood sugar levels.
Thinking Globally, Acting Locally
The American India Foundation hosted its third annual Orange County Gala on March 19, bringing together more than 250 guests, including some of the region’s most influential philanthropists and entrepreneurs, to raise more than $500,000 in support of AIF’s Maternal and Newborn Survival Initiative.
The initiative is designed to reduce maternal and child mortality by empowering international communities to care for mothers and children.
Manu and Rika Shah, founders of MS International Inc., were honored for their philanthropic leadership. The Shahs’ partnership with the foundation focuses on education and livelihoods.
“Access to education and job skills training are essential to paving the way for a brighter future for any individual,” said Manu Shah.
Creating Hope, Creating Memories
Farmers & Merchants Trust Co., Sycamore Chiropractic, Caring Companions at Home, KPMG, United Healthcare and First American Trust were among the sponsors of the Broadway Memories-themed Alzheimer’s Orange County’s 18th annual Creating Hope Gala. The event, presented by the Argyros Family Foundation, took place March 18 at AV Irvine.
It was the most successful gala to date, attended by nearly 350 supporters and raising $380,000. All funds raised will be used in Orange County, where they will go toward no-cost care and support programs and services for the 84,000 Orange County residents affected by the disease, as well as to accelerate local research to find treatments and prevention.
The group recognized community partners for their commitment, including Diane Mondini, chief executive of Caring Companions at Home, and corporate partner Farmers & Merchants Trust Co.
To the Rescue
D-Link Systems Inc., which makes its U.S. headquarters in Fountain Valley, has partnered with Paw Prints in the Sand Animal Rescue Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and placing abused, abandoned, neglected and stray companion animals. D-Link will donate Pan & Tilt Wi-Fi Cameras, which retail around $100, to every person who adopts from Paw Prints in the Sand as part of a larger effort to advocate adopting rescue pets.
“Paw Prints in the Sand is doing some truly amazing work to help animals in need,” said Daniel Kelley, vice president of marketing, D-Link Systems Inc. “We are happy to help such a great cause and keep animals out of the shelters or off the streets and in loving homes where they belong.”
Additionally, D-Link is developing a series of training and animal behavioral videos in conjunction with Paw Prints in the Sand to help pet owners have happier pets and homes.
Bits & Pieces
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire made changes to its board of directors, including the promotion of Doug Antoneb, former chief executive of Networks in Motion, to board chairperson; the appointment of Todd Pickup, chief executive of International Bay Clubs, to vice chairperson; the readdition of W. Henry Walker, president of Farmers & Merchants Bank, to the executive board; and the addition of Dave Moellenhoff, co-founder of Salesforce.com, to the governing board. … The Sharks Foundation awarded a $25,000 grant to Orange County-based nonprofit group Project Access to support its after-school tutoring and enrichment program for nearly 300 low-income, high-risk youth ages 6 through 18. … Navien America Inc. partnered with Habitat for Humanity to provide tankless water heaters for homes built for military veterans and senior citizens in Orange County.
