Raising Money in Style
Harvesters 30th Anniversary Celebration Fashion Show & Luncheon raised more than $1.6 million to support the work of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. All of the underwriter donations from the event go directly to the food bank, officials said.
The event took place on Oct. 11 at the Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. It began with a champagne reception hosted by Baccarat. A South Coast Plaza runway show followed, featuring Oscar de la Renta’s pre-spring 2023 collection, spring 2023 collection and exclusive bridal pieces. All attendees received Cartier stationery. Following the show, supporters were treated to a gourmet luncheon in Argyros Plaza.
The celebration also hosted a silent auction featuring a giving-back partnership with George Esquivel, founder, Esquivel House, who created a pair of sneakers designed exclusively for Harvesters. Fifty percent of sales from the shoes are donated to Second Harvest.
During the event, Harvesters honored South Coast Plaza and City National Bank for their commitment to the organization and to supporting the food insecure in Orange County.
Anton Segerstrom, partner, South Coast Plaza, accepted the award for South Coast Plaza, which has produced and sponsored Harvesters’ fashion show for the last 28 years.
Jennifer Van Bergh, senior vice president and co-founder, Harvesters, and David Hasenbalg, group head/senior managing director, accepted the award on behalf of City National Bank, which has sponsored Harvesters’ annual event since 2018 and presents the Harvesters Innovative Service Award which grants monies to Second Harvest’s partners and pantries.
Casey Lesher, sales associate, Coldwell Banker Luxury Real Estate, was recognized for pledging to feed the food insecure in Orange County.
Premier Wine Event
Porsche, Experian, The Caviar Co., Frome Family Foundation, PTC Therapeutics, WHGC PLC, Satellite Healthcare, Carson Wealth, Kaiser Permanente, ECOS and Platinum Inc. were among the many sponsors of the Eighth Annual Napa in Newport gala on Oct. 29, hosted by CureDuchenne and Dana Estates.
The affair took place at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point and raised more than $1.5 million to find and fund a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It’s a record amount raised for the event.
Napa in Newport brought acclaimed Napa Valley vintners together to serve their finest vintages to more than 400 of Orange County’s top business leaders, philanthropists and wine connoisseurs.
This year’s event featured cuisine curated by David Shim, executive chef, COTE, the world’s only Michelin-starred Korean steakhouse.
The evening included a Grand Tasting, vintner-hosted dining tables, a dinner with curated wine pairings and an auction featuring rare wines and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
“We are beyond thankful to our vintners, sponsors and attendees who made this year’s Napa in Newport a huge success, bringing us one step closer to a cure for this devastating disease,” said Debra Miller, founder and CEO, CureDuchenne. “Funding is critical to move more clinical trials forward for the thousands who need treatments now. Napa in Newport is a one-of-a-kind event, and we are grateful for the support of this generous community.”
Celebrating Women Who Serve
More than 140 community leaders and supporters attended the Illumination Foundation 2nd Annual Women’s Philanthropy Luncheon on Oct. 14 at the Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel, in Huntington Beach. The gathering raised $260,000 to provide housing and healthcare for women experiencing homelessness.
The event featured guest speaker Dr. Cynthia Haq, professor and chair, family medicine, University of California, Irvine; and Dr. Pooja Bhalla, co-CEO, Illumination Foundation.
“The compassionate, effective care, housing, food, and rehabilitation provided by Illumination Foundation benefits the clients, our community, and each one of us,” Haq said.
Dr. Michele McGill, a dentistry practitioner who has volunteered with Illumination Foundation since 2017 and provides free dental care for Illumination Foundation clients, including oral exams, periodontal treatment, extractions and dentures; and Andi Orendain, a volunteer since 2017 who has logged 1,274 volunteer hours, were honored as Community Honorees at the luncheon.
Sponsors included The Haynes Fund; West Coast University; Marc Carlson, managing director, 3 Points Partners and Dr. Jacqueline DuPont-Carlson, gerontologist, founder, Irvine Cottages, founder, Assured In-Home Care and founder, Vista Gardens Memory Care; Alliantgroup; Tarsadia Foundation; and Comprehensive Care Solutions Inc. Specialty sponsors included The Waterfront Beach Resort; Encore; Whispering Angel; Virginia “Ginny” Ripslinger, RN, MBA, healthcare consultant, VLR Consulting, board member, Illumination Foundation, co-chair, 2nd Annual Women’s Philanthropy Luncheon; Hi-Time Wine Cellars; and Gorjana.
