Tremendous Tournament
The 28th Annual Stars & Stripes Tournament, held June 26–29 at the Hilton Los Cabos in Mexico, set a new record, raising $6 million in four days. The funds will provide support for children’s charities, including Miracles for Kids, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County / IE, Orangewood Foundation, SBCS (formerly South Bay Community Services), Casa Youth Shelter, Young Lives Redeemed and Honorary Partners: Merge Opportunities, Mission Plasticos and Halo. Sponsors of this year’s event included AMPCO Contracting, Fruchbom Family, F&F Capital Group, Motive Companies and RMP Supply.
The four-day event blended world-class entertainment, golf, fishing and family-centered philanthropy for a weekend described as equal parts celebration and compassion. Guests participated in deep-sea fishing, championship golf, a pickleball tournament and meaningful interactions with children and families impacted by the charities supported by the event. The event also included a live concert under the stars, featuring Michael Franti & Spearhead, Little Big Town and OneRepublic.
A highlight of the weekend was the presence of three Miracles for Kids Angel Flight families who were flown to Cabo for a respite from their daily medical battles. From swimming with dolphins to dancing at evening concerts, the children and their families experienced moments of joy, hope and healing.
“Being in Cabo with our families is a privilege we never take for granted,” said Autumn Strier, co-founder and CEO, Miracles for Kids. “Watching these kids just be kids, free from fear and stress, makes every moment meaningful.”
Children First
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union (SchoolsFirst FCU) has deepened its long-standing commitment to Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), now part of Rady Children’s Health, with a $3 million gift supporting CHOC’s new nine-story ambulatory building. Located across from CHOC hospital in Orange, the facility consolidates outpatient services in one location and houses a full outpatient imaging center, oncology infusion services, a dedicated floor for research, multiple specialty clinics and family-focused amenities (see page 16).
“We are deeply committed to supporting CHOC and its mission to deliver world-class pediatric care,” said Bill Cheney, CEO, SchoolsFirst FCU. “This new facility will provide essential comfort, healing and hope to families in need.”
In recognition of the donation, the first-floor lobby of the outpatient tower has been named the SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Lobby.
For more than 23 years, SchoolsFirst FCU has supported CHOC through financial donations to its child life and neonatal care as well as its employees volunteering their time by participating in CHOC Walk in the Park and assembling care packages for patients and their families.
Purposeful Play
Waymakers raised $105,000 at its 41st Annual Swing for Kids Charity Golf Tournament. The event, held at Oak Creek Golf Club in Irvine, was presented by Purus Wealth Management and brought together 148 golfers for a day of spirited play and purposeful giving in support of Waymakers’ programs for youth and families in crisis.
Proceeds from the event directly fund Waymakers’ comprehensive programs, including emergency shelter for youth ages 11–17 who are homeless, runaways, abused or in crisis; support services for victims of violent crime and their families; family and youth counseling, academic support and life skills training; community mediation services to peacefully resolve disputes; and prevention education that promotes health, safety and resilience.
“Being the presenting sponsor… is a heartfelt commitment to the people and communities Waymakers serve,” said Mark Larsen, CEO, Purus Wealth Management. “We’re proud to stand beside Waymakers in bringing hope and healing to those who need it most.”
Other supporters included the Chao Family Foundation and The Baldwin Group as Course and Impact Sponsors. Safe Haven Sponsors were Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo; BAPKO Metal; Customers Bank; Experian; and Swinerton. Advocate sponsors included BCCI Construction, CIU Networks, Esplanade Builders, Fight for Survivors, GES Sheet Metal, Griffith Company, K2 General Contractors, MAG-TROL Electrical Distributors, Newmark, O Arch, SageView Advisory Group, SASCO, Taber Company, Total Source Officeworks, Universal Metro and Dr. John K. Waken.
“The outpouring of generosity from our sponsors, donors and participants is both humbling and inspiring,” said Ronnetta Johnson, CEO, Waymakers. “Thanks to their continued commitment, we’re able to offer critical support to those navigating crisis—helping them find strength, stability and hope.”
Bits & Pieces
On July 23, the Los Angeles Angels, through their Angels Baseball Foundation, hosted 800 local students from the Anaheim Family YMCA, Boys & Girls Club – Central Orange Coast, Boys & Girls Club – Huntington Valley, Easterseals Southern California, KidWorks, Project Access, Orange County Rescue Mission and Families Forward at Angel Stadium in Anaheim for the 14th annual Back 2 School event, sponsored by San Diego County Credit Union, Oggi’s Pizza, Pechanga Resort Casino, Skechers and Melissa’s Produce, to provide clothes, shoes, supplies and food to underserved youth across Orange County … Hundreds of volunteers from organizations including Pimco, Invesco, 360° Miracles, Old Navy, EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, Irvine Company, Target and Baby2Baby came together on July 26 to assemble almost 1,000 backpacks for nearly 400 families served by Miracle for Kids, providing school supplies, household essentials and more than 1,500 pounds of fresh vegetables for families in need … Orange County Rescue Mission has officially opened its Double R Ranch campus in Silverado Canyon to include housing for up to 68 women and children, joining the men already living on-site, an expansion made possible through the leadership of local elected officials including Supervisor Don Wagner and the support of Cox Communications, McMillen Family Foundation, James L. Stamps Foundation and Theodore W. Batterman Foundation, along with other business partners and individual donors, whose collaboration helped bring the vision for the new wing to life …
—Reporter Parimal M. Rohit contributed to this report.
