South Coast Repertory’s annual gala “The Play’s The Thing” raised more than $530,000 for the theater’s annual fund. The event takes place to open the theatrical season and to honor the theater’s founding directors, David Emmes and Martin Benson.
AT&T Inc. gave more than $373,000 to the Orange County Council, Boy Scouts of America. The money, which was raised by AT&T’s annual golf classic, will help provide opportunities for local kids through Boy Scouts programs.
The annual Romance of the Mission held by San Juan Capistrano’s Mission Preservation Foundation raised $198,000 toward construction of an entrance and gift shop at the mission. The renovations, dubbed The Gate House Pres-ervation Project, are designed to preserve the mission’s historical architecture.
The philanthropic arm of Buchanan Street Partners in Newport Beach raised $100,000 at its annual Challenge for Children event in support of four local charities. The groups that received money were Talk About Curing Autism, Miocean Foundation, JA Finance Park and VH1 Save The Music Foundation.
The Southern California Hospice Foundation held its Back Bay Soiree Wine Tasting fundraiser at the Newport Beach Vineyards & Winery and raised $21,000. Money was raised by ticket sales and a silent auction and will go toward families, caregivers and patients nearing death.
A Charity for Charities, a group that raises money for nonprofits, gave $10,000 to local groups including Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, Canyon Acres, Alzheimer’s Family Services and the Orange County affiliate of Komen Foundation.
Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove received a $10,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to launch a reading initiative that promotes reading for kids. The program will include activities on laptop computers, field trips to local libraries and bookstores, and a book club membership.
Wells Fargo & Co. gave $1,000 to Sheepfold in Orange, a nonprofit that provides services for abused women and children. The donation was made in employee Erin Morotti’s honor to recognize the contributions she has made to Sheepfold through Wells Fargo’s Volunteer Service Award Program.
McCarthy Building Cos., in partnership with Children’s Hospital of Orange County, recently built a technologically advanced playhouse for HomeAid Orange County’s annual Project Playhouse fundraiser. The playhouse was built with donated supplies and sold at a live auction for $338,000.
Wells Fargo’s Private Banking Group in Newport Beach hosted a Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball game for Human Options and Team Kids. Nine children received dinner and Angels souvenirs. Human Options is a group that serves mothers and children who are victims of domestic violence abuse. Team Kids is a nonprofit that helps kids develop a passion for volunteering through community service programs.
Morgan Drexen, of Morgan Drexen Inc. in Anaheim partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and Inland Empire to grant the wish of 12-year-old Zach McMassers. Drexen will be sending McMassers to baseball’s 2011 All-Star Game in Phoenix.
