Big Game, Big Hearts
Gary and Julie Crisp, owners of Costa Mesa’s Crisp Imaging, held their 12th Super Bowl party for 500 members of the military and other guests at American Legion Post 291 in Newport Beach. In addition to 350 active-duty Marines bused from Camp Pendleton, the event hosted 150 veterans of past wars.
“It’s a joy to put on this day of fun and football for these men and women who serve our country,” Gary Crisp said. “They don’t generally get much recognition and seeing their faces when they realize this party is all for them is beyond gratifying.”
The game was broadcast on seven jumbo flat-screen TVs spread throughout the venue. Guests were treated to breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a variety of other snacks. The day included boat rides in the harbor, video games, cornhole, and Las Vegas-style games of chance. Therapeutic massages, chiropractic adjustments, and haircuts were also available.
Entertainment included the USC Marching Band; Raiderettes; gospel, jazz, rock, and rap music; a wrestling show; a magician; and Polynesian fire dancers.
Additional support was provided by the Stanley W. Ekstrom Foundation, Monster Energy, Coca-Cola, 2003 Eagle Foundation, Architects Orange, Balboa Bay Resort, Burnham Ward Properties, Godes & Preis LLP, Kyocera Document Solutions, Bank of the West, Bowermaster & Associates Insurance Brokers, Challenge Sales Inc., Daum Commercial Real Estate, DeLillo Chevrolet, LPA Design Studios (Jon and Nancey Mills), Lear Boats, Bill Milligan, R.D. Olson Construction and more.
The event benefited the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group, which Gary Crisp presented with a check for $25,000. Its mission is to provide support and outreach to service members deployed from and stationed at Camp Pendleton and their families.
Providing for Vulnerable Communitites
On Jan. 31, MemorialCare announced the recipients for its Community Benefit Grants program, fiscal year 2023. The nonprofit Southern California integrated health system, which includes four area hospitals—Long Beach Medical Center, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach, Orange Coast Medical Center and Saddleback Medical Center—will donate a total of $200,000 in grants to 15 nonprofits that serve vulnerable communities, including health access and equity, mental health, transportation, food insecurity, housing and health prevention.
The financial support will benefit the Filipino Migrant Center, Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Long Beach and West Orange County, Harbor Community Health Centers, Project Angel Food, Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition, BreastfeedLA, Long Beach Bar Foundation’s Juvenile Emotional Management program, Tichenor Clinic for Children, The Guidance Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach, Friendship Shelter, Helping Hand World Wide, Orange County Rescue Mission’s Village of Hope, Vietnamese American Cancer Foundation, and Meals on Wheels Orange County.
“Giving back to the community is one of MemorialCare’s core values,” said Marcia Manker, CEO, MemorialCare Orange Coast and Saddleback Medical Centers. “Following the holiday season, we are thrilled to be able to provide targeted grant funding to nonprofit organizations providing services that address social determinants of health and health equity throughout the community we care for.”
Support for the Future
Hammitt Inc., a maker of luxury handbags, wallets and other products with a flagship location at South Coast Plaza, was presented with the Dragon Kim Foundation (DKF) 2023 Community Partner Award for its ongoing financial support of the nonprofit’s fellowship program for high school students.
The award was given during a Jan. 26 event which capped a Lunar New Year celebration. The celebration was held at Lido House in Newport Beach and featured a performance of actors in multicolored Chinese dragon-style costumes, accompanied by drums and cymbals.
The retailer believes “in our mission to inspire youth to impact their communities while discovering and pursuing their passions,” said Daniel Kim, co-founder, DKF. “We are proud to say that Hammitt has supported DKF since 2020, including participating in our ‘Youth in Fashion’ fashion show and fundraiser in 2021 that featured aspiring teen fashion designers.”
DKF’s fellowship program includes funding of up to $5,000 for a summer community service project, a dedicated mentor, three immersive weekends of training, and a long-lasting community of peers. The fellowship was founded in honor of the late Dragon Kim, a young musician, athlete and scholar, and has now become a seedbed for the next generation of creative thinkers and entrepreneurs who want to make a difference in their communities.
Bits & Pieces
Ralphs and Food 4 Less donated $150,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County to serve as the nonprofit’s 40th anniversary sponsor, a donation that aligns with the Ralphs and Food 4 Less Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social and environmental impact plan, which sits at the center of the organization’s environmental, social, and governance strategy and reflects a commitment to build a more resilient, equitable and sustainable food system that improves access to affordable, fresh food for everyone. … Just Gather, which offers programs to prevent substance abuse, including such as mental wellness and digital detox, family support such as From Grief to Gratitude, and education about the fentanyl epidemic, served 850 clients in its inaugural year of 2022 and is on track to serve six times that number in 2023, projecting more than 5,000 clients will partake in its services. … On Feb. 8, members of the Discovery Cube Innovators attended a presentation from the Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD), a Discovery Cube partner, on the science and innovation behind keeping the water flowing for local communities while also championing environmental stewardship, followed by a tour of the IRWD water treatment facility.
