Putting Families First
First Foundation, Brookfield Residential, Kia Motors, Avalon Bay Communities, Southern California Gas, Ernst & Young and several other Orange County businesses joined together to sponsor Families Forward’s 32nd annual gala, An Evening of Hope. More than 450 guests attended the event, which took place Sept. 17 at Fairmont Hotel in Newport Beach.
It raised more than $465,000, which will be used to help homeless or near-homeless families achieve self-sufficiency by providing counseling, housing, food, career coaching, education, and other support services.
Brookfield Residential received the Spirit of Community Award in recognition of its efforts to increase the number of affordable homes in the Orange County area through the donation of planning, negotiating and project management.
Interior designer Tracie McCloskey received the Partner in Hope Award for contributing her expertise in design and decor to the Families Forward Program Center and new homes to welcome families entering its housing program.
Golfers Help Teens
The First Tee of Orange County, a nonprofit group committed to instilling positive values and promoting healthy choices in young people through golf, hosted its Fourth Annual Pro-Am at Coto de Caza Golf and Racquet Club on Aug. 29. The premier charity golf event, presented by Roger Dunn Golf Shops, raised more than $125,000 for scholarships, program improvements, equipment and more. The tournament paired amateurs with local pros and helped to increase awareness about the group’s impact on the community.
Tournament participants played a round of golf and took part in a putting contest. Afterward, participants and guests enjoyed a silent auction and dinner program.
Light of Hope
Taller San Jose Hope Builders hosted its annual Light Up a Life gala on Sept. 17, an event that benefits disadvantaged Orange County youth. The group uses intensive job training and life skills counseling to empower youth with the tools to transform their lives.
Nearly 550 guests attended the gala, which was hosted at the Promenade & Gardens by Turnip Rose in Costa Mesa. The event raised a record-breaking $750,000 in net proceeds.
This year, Hope Builders recognized SC Fuels and the Greinke Family with the Best of Friends Award for their long-standing commitment to the organization. Frank P. Greinke, president of SC Fuels, expressed gratitude to those in attendance. “Thank you,” he said, “for giving Hope Builders’ youth the greatest gift of all—opportunity.”
Premier sponsors, in addition to SC Fuels, included FMC Financial Group, Guaranty Chevrolet, JPMorgan Chase and St. Joseph Health.
Leaders for Change
Each year during the Orange County United Way’s annual Rally for Change event, the United Way honors companies that have made significant investments in the FACE 2024 action plan over the past year. Pacific Life Insurance Co., Flour Corp., Ernst & Young and Edwards Lifesciences received accolades at this year’s event.
The Sept. 8 rally coincided with the launch of several corporate fundraising campaigns to benefit United Way, which launched the 10-year FACE 2024 communitywide plan in 2014 to create a positive future for the next generation. The plan focuses on long-term solutions to the most critical challenges facing Orange County children and families in the areas of education, income, health and housing.
Jim Doti, president emeritus of Chapman University, served as keynote speaker at Rally for Change, which was held at the Fairmont Hotel in Newport Beach.
Bits & Pieces
Culverdale Elementary received a $211,850 grant from Irvine Public Schools Foundation to support its new Innovation Lab. … Westar Associates, an Orange County real estate development and management company, donated $5,000 to the Orange County Fire Authority Department Benevolent Association. … The Illumination Foundation, Coldwell Banker, Neiman Marcus, Irvine Company and many other companies will host the Art of Design-Create a Seat to End Homelessness event on Oct. 8 at Neiman Marcus Fashion Island.
