Fundraisers and charitable donations from companies and people
Golfers raised more than $100,000 at the third annual Quiksilver Foundation Golf Classic in Santa Ana last month. The money went to several education and nonprofit groups, including University of Southern California’s QuikScience, SurfAid International, Reef Check, Keep A Breast, Surfrider Foundation, Sumba Foundation, Ocean Institute and Stoked Mentoring. The foundation is the philanthropic arm of Huntington Beach-based clothing maker Quiksilver Inc.
St. Joseph Health System Foundation, the charitable arm of Orange-based hospital operator St. Joseph Health System, gave $1.1 million to 24 local nonprofits. The grants went to groups that work on chronic disease management, nutrition, childhood obesity, mental health, youth development, child dental care, job training and homelessness.
Padrini d’Antonello, a group of businesspeople who support children’s causes, raised more than $100,000 at this year’s Evening Under the Stars fundraiser. The money is set to go to the Canyon Acres Children and Family Services in Orange for abused children and Buena Park’s Speech and Language Development Center, a nonprofit school and therapy center for special-needs students. More than 280 people attended the event, which included an auction, a live band and dinner.
The Wooden Floor, a Santa Ana dance program for needy kids, raised nearly $90,000 at its annual wine-tasting benefit. Nearly 200 people attended the fundraiser, which took place in Santa Ana last month.
St. Joseph Hospital Foundation was awarded $5,000 from the annual Citizens Business Bank Charity Golf Classic, which raised $30,000 for local charities. Other groups that received money include Children’s Hospital of Orange County, United Cerebral Palsy Organization of Orange County, Santa Ana’s Discovery Science Center, Mission Viejo’s Mission Hospital Foundation and Mission San Juan Capistrano.
Irvine-based law firm Burkhalter Kessler Goodman & George LLP donated 2,500 holiday cards to American Legion Post 291, a military nonprofit that supports troops worldwide. The holiday cards had tags that read, “Thank you for serving our great country.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County raised $100,000 at the annual Mardi Gras Extravaganza at Downtown Disney in September. The event included live jazz music, gambling, New Orleans-style food and an auction. About 500 people attended. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a mentorship program that helps needy kids.
The Alzheimer’s Family Services Center was awarded $150,000 by the Weingart Foundation, a group that supports social and education causes in Southern California. The Huntington Beach chapter of the Alzheimer’s Family Services Center is affiliated with Newport Beach’s Hoag Neurosciences Institute, an independent nonprofit that designs programs for Alzheimer’s patients. The Huntington Beach center is the only Alzheimer’s daycare resource center in OC.
Laura’s House in Ladera Ranch, a shelter for victims of domestic abuse, raised more than $120,000 at this year’s Once Upon a Dream gala. About 250 guests attended the event in Newport Beach in September. The gala included dinner, a live band and an auction. The money will go to various Laura’s House programs, including the Emergency Shelter, the Legal Advocacy Center, and prevention and education programs.
Wells Fargo & Co. gave $10,000 to Irvine-based Back to Natives Restoration, a native plant restoration program. The group arranges educational programs and park trips for native plant restoration in OC. Wells Fargo also gave $10,000 to 2-1-1 Orange County, a group that provides local poor residents with information about shelters, housing, food, job placement and human services.
