More than 700 guests gathered at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach on July 13 for the 26th annual Eric Marienthal and Friends Benefit Concert, raising more than $200,000 for the High Hopes Head Injury Program.
Sponsors included H&H Lee Foundation, Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, KJAZZ 88.1, 94.7 The Wave, The Keith Family Fund at the California Community Foundation, Xerox, Smooth Jazz News, Millie and Severson General Contractors, Minuteman Press Costa Mesa, Ryan’s Reach and Stirling Properties.
Four-time Grammy-nominated artist Boney James headlined the sold-out event. He joined host Eric Marienthal, a Grammy-nominated contemporary saxophonist and longtime High Hopes supporter, for a night of jazz, community and cause. The evening included dinner by Tulsa Rib Company, music by the Ron Kobayashi Trio and a spirited auction, all benefiting students recovering from traumatic brain injuries.
“Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude,” said Mark Desmond, founder and CEO, High Hopes. “This year’s record turnout shows how much our community believes in the life-changing work we do.”
Marienthal played crowd favorites, including “Lolo Shuffle,” “One for James,” “Lee Ann” and “Babycakes” before his daughter, Katie, joined him on stage for their first duet of “Feeling Good.”
An evening highlight came when Brandon, who suffered a stroke 18 months ago, shared that he began walking again thanks to High Hopes’ treatment. Robert Vermes, president, board of directors, High Hopes, whose daughter recovered 80% from a stroke using the center’s Lokomat robotic walking system, presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to longtime supporter James Reed, managing director, Lincoln Consulting Group, LLC. The evening also included a silent and live auction.
The event was live streamed by Alert the Globe, with a replay scheduled this month at AlertTheGlobe.com to raise additional funds.
Food and Friendly Competition
The Orange County legal community once again rallied in June for the 9th annual Food from the Bar campaign, benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. This friendly competition invites law firms, attorneys, and legal associations to raise funds and volunteer hours to help provide nutritious food to the 459,000 people Second Harvest serves each month.
This year’s effort saw 20 law firms, associations and legal counsels unite, bringing in 190 donors to raise a record-breaking $172,000 through Second Harvest’s Virtual Food Drive platform and volunteering 198 hours.
Second Harvest extended special thanks to Manly, Stewart & Finaldi and Minyard Morris for serving as this year’s co-title sponsors. Top honors went to Minyard Morris, winner of the Pro Bono Publico Award.
The Rockstar Rainmaker Awards went to the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association (large firm), Judicate West (medium firm) and Houser LLP (small firm). Mark Minyard, founding partner, managing partner, Minyard Morris received the Rockstar “Rangler” Award, while Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth LLP earned the Rockstar Rookie Award.
The Raising the Bar Award went to Var Fox of Judicate West and Edwards Lifesciences General Counsel was recognized with the Rockstar Voluntarius Award.
Golf Transforming Lives
R.D. Olson Construction hosted its 15th annual Charity Golf Tournament at Tijeras Creek Golf Club in Rancho Santa Margarita, raising $150,000 to benefit Olive Crest. Funds raised will bolster Olive Crest programs and the Transforming Lives Campaign, which includes building 16 apartments for homeless teens.
The event brought together professionals from the real estate and construction industries for a day of networking and friendly competition, all in support of Olive Crest’s mission to prevent child abuse by strengthening and restoring children and families in crisis.
Sponsors included Alliant Insurance, AJ Kirkwood, American Business Bank, PNC Bank and L3 Electric—Laguna Hills. Additional sponsors were Vertex Coatings, Christian Brothers, 20/20 Plumbing and Premier Design.
Bits & Pieces
FBFK Law was the lead sponsor of the ACG OC Charity Golf Classic at Pelican Hill held on July 24, which raised $10,000 in support of Project Youth OC, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering underserved youth through academic, mentoring and health programs.
Cox Communications, Angels Baseball and the Angels Baseball Foundation are partnering to provide schools with technology grants through assemblies that feature special appearances by Angels players and personalities such as Angels broadcaster Trent Rush and Strike Force in Cox Retail stores, a back-to-school backpack benefitting Boys & Girls Club of Capistrano Valley (BGCCV), a free baseball clinic at The Great Park in Irvine and Classroom Connection assemblies at Ralph A. Gates Elementary School and La Madera Elementary School, both in Lake Forest.
Laguna Playhouse received a $4,000 grant from the FOA Foundation which will support the Playhouse’s arts education programs for children and youth in Orange County, including monthly workshops, summer theatre camps, the Youth Theatre Conservatory, and TheatreReach student matinee programs.
