The 2012Â March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction raised $206,000.
The annual event, held at Westin South Coast Plaza, was attended by 250 supporters. It featured chef demonstrations, signature dish tastings, wine tastings and a live auction of travel packages and other items.
Host Chef Casey Overton, executive chef at The Loft at Montage Laguna Beach, led a lineup of some of the most prominent chefs in Orange County.
Participating restaurants included Cucina Alessa, Brasserie Pascal and many others.
Wine Tasting
The Wooden Floor, a Santa Ana arts-based youth development organization, raised $200,000 at its Sixth Annual Keep the Promise Wine Tasting Benefit.
The event, held at the Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach, was attended by 250 people.
Supporters and sponsors John Markley and his wife, Janice, selected the wines.
Masquerade Ball
Laura’s House raised $150,000 at its masquerade-ball-themed gala held at Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa.
Ladera Ranch-based Laura’s House provides shelter and other services for abused women and their children.
More than 270 people attended the event, which presented Amanda Fowler, director of global corporate giving for Irvine-based Edwards Lifesciences Corp., with a 2012 Corporate Crystal Heart Award.
Also honored at the gala was Orange County philanthropist Anne MacPherson.
Vikki Vargas, Orange County bureau chief for NBC4, was the master of ceremonies, and the event was chaired by Laura Khouri, Laura’s House board chair.
Khouri is president of Irvine-based Western National Group’s Western National Property Management division.
Golf Tourney
CBRE Group Inc.’s inaugural Greater Los Angeles/Orange County Golf Invitational raised $90,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which funds treatments and a research for a cure for type 1 diabetes.
The tournament was held at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach.
Project Cuddle Fundraiser
Anaheim White House owner Bruno Serato hosted a fundraiser for Project Cuddle, with the help of actor John Stamos.
Costa Mesa-based Project Cuddle helps prevent child abandonment by supporting pregnant teens and women.
The event, held at Serato’s Anaheim White House restaurant, featured a cocktail reception, silent auction, three-course dinner and dancing to live music.
Serato, who was honored at the event, donated 100% of the food, drinks, wait staff and use of his private banquet hall.
Project Cuddle will receive all of the proceeds generated.
Bits and Pieces
Lazy Dog Café’s Huntington Beach and Irvine locations donated 150 pounds of meat to Tustin-based Orange County Rescue Mission. … Mission Viejo-based Lion’s Heart, a volunteer organization for kids in 6th to 12th grades, was honored by a certificate presented by Mission Viejo Mayor Frank Ury for volunteering 120,000-plus hours at nonprofits. … New Horizons Computer Learning Centers of Southern California is donating the proceeds of its Microsoft technologies webinars held in October and November to the Wounded Warrior Project, a Jacksonville, Fla.-based nonprofit that honors and assists soldiers wounded in combat.
New Horizons has regional headquarters in Anaheim. … Newport Beach-based Orange County Automobile Dealers Association helped 91 OC schools raise more than $50,000 by selling tickets to theTannual Orange County International Auto Show to help fund school clubs and programs. … Huntington Beach-based Colette’s Children’s Home is hosting a fundraising event Nov. 16 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine to benefit homeless women and children.
