Putting Students First
Prominent philanthropist Julia Argyros, president, Argyros Family Foundation, along with her daughter Lisa Argyros, board member, Argyros Family Foundation, and her grandson Ryan Mitchell, gave a $2 million gift toward the Students First: A Capital Campaign, which is raising money to develop new student commons and enhanced outdoor areas for the Orange County School of the Arts’ (OCSA) Santa Ana campus.
The public charter school plans to break ground on the new campus additions this summer.
The campaign was announced by Teren Shaffer, president and CEO, OCSA, on April 23 at the school’s annual gala, Night of a Million Dreams.
The goal is to raise the $5 million needed to complete the capital campaign project. In recognition of the contribution from the Argyros family, OCSA’s new student space will be named The Lisa Argyros Commons.
The purpose of this common area is to create an environment that will encourage out-of-classroom experiences and meet the educational, recreational and social needs of OCSA’s community, according to the arts school.
“We are excited to support Orange County School of the Arts’ Students First campaign. Our family has been a major supporter of the school for many years, and it has been absolutely thrilling to be part of its incredible journey,” Lisa Argyros said. “We are so impressed with OCSA’s commitment to excellence in both the arts and academics, and we are delighted to be able to help provide the best environment possible for these amazing students.”
Since launching the campaign, OCSA has raised nearly $3 million toward completing the project. Additional donors include DevTo Support Foundation, the El-Erian Family Foundation and the Samueli Foundation.
Girls Rock
On April 30, Girls Inc. of Orange County’s annual event, Girls Rock the World, welcomed more than 300 guests including sponsors, supporters, corporate partners, and volunteers at the Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel, in Huntington Beach.
Kaiser Permanente, Allergan Aesthetics, The Gena Reed Family Foundation, Sue and Ralph Stern, Ingram Micro, Kendra and Dan Miller, Motive Communications, Northern Trust, CDK Global, Sam Dawson-The Dawson Difference, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Montage International, , South Coast Plaza, U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management, SeneGence, Kitchen Table Marketing + PR, Knobbe Martens and the Orange County Department of Education were among the many sponsors.
Raising more than $518,000, proceeds from Girls Rock the World will provide year-round holistic, compensatory, and intentional programming focusing on STEM, financial literacy, sound body image, healthy relationships, and college and career readiness for girls ages 5 to 18 years old.
This year’s event featured a rock-and-roll theme and included crafted cocktails, dinner, a presentation of inspiring stories and a live concert. Guests enjoyed a silent auction, a live auction, a Sponsor-a-Girl portion of the night, and the opportunity to hear Girls Inc. alumnae, who shared their inspiring and touching success story.
Up to the Challenge
The Orangewood Foundation hosted The Orangewood Challenge at Newport Dunes on March 26 and raised more than $337,000 to benefit the organization’s educational service programs. The event featured a multi-sport team-based adventure course in which teams of four ran, navigated, and tackled challenges along a course.
The event was introduced in 2016 by Orangewood Paul Tobin, of counsel at Buchalter and vice chair, Orangewood Foundation, as a fundraiser to support Orange County youth. Tobin launched a similar event series in Australia in 2008 which continues to attract adventurous community leaders looking to compete for a good cause.
“I am inspired by the resilience and strength of Orangewood’s youth, so each year I form my own personal team and take this challenge for them,” Tobin said. “Not only did we exceed my personal team’s fundraising goal this year, but together all teams helped raise $337,059 on behalf of Orangewood Foundation to help foster and community youth reach their greatest potential.”
Each participant of the challenge donated $2,000 as an entry fee and set personal goals to raise $8,000 from their family, friends, and colleagues. The race included 12 teams of four who put their physical and mental strength to the test in teamwork-based challenges designed for competitive adults of all ages.
The 2022 Orangewood Challenge was made possible by many sponsors and donors including the Samueli Foundation, Lennar, Arthur Gallagher & Co. and more.
Hats Off
The Gentlemen’s Haberdashery raised a record-breaking amount of more than $500,000 at its returning annual event, held on April 28, at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach, with nearly 400 people in attendance.
The funds will help support The Heart of Jesus Retreat Center, which is operated by the Sisters of the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart. The Center provides religious and integrity formation and avenues of faith development for children, youth, adults and families.
Event sponsors included First American Title Insurance Co., Fountainhead, Greenstone Materials Inc.; Oritz Enterprises, Shea Homes, Frontier Real Estate, Pulte Group, Signum LLC; and Westar Associates.
“After a two-year hiatus, the 40th annual Gentlemen’s Haberdashery took on extra special meaning as we gathered to honor and celebrate the legacy of this event,” said Tony Moiso, chairman and CEO, Rancho Mission Viejo, and honorary co-chair, Gentlemen’s Haberdashery. “It was inspiring to see such a generous and philanthropic group of leaders and members of our community come together with a common goal to give thousands of children in Orange County and Southern California the gift of laughter, prayer and learning at the Heart of Jesus Retreat Center.”
Gary’s, State & Liberty, J. Hilburn, Wildfire Mercantile, Olivia’s and Toes on the Nose contributed clothing for the runway show, which was modeled by Orange County executives and community leaders, among them Seth Teigen, CEO, Providence Mission Hospital; Jeff Jackson, president, Patronus; Dave Riemann, CEO, 520 Capital LLC and Mike Recupero, owner and president, Recupero & Associates.
Bits & Pieces
GritCycle raised more than $40,000 for Autism Action Month at its Autism Action Rides, which were held April 23 and involved all four of its locations, booking more than 850 riders with $5 from every bike booked benefitting the cause. … HomeAid received an honorable mention from Mutual of America Financial Group for its HomeAid Works program in Mutual of America Financials’ 2021 Community Partnership program and received $50,000, as one of five nonprofit organizations selected for their outstanding contributions to society, in partnership with public, private and other social sector organizations. … MaxLove Project hosted an Inaugural Farm Walk event at Tanaka Farms and raised more than $26,000 to benefit the organization’s programs.
