Orange-based Orange Catholic Foundation collected $11 million in donations to support Diocese of Orange parishes, schools and ministries.
The annual Pastoral Services Appeal is the foundation’s primary fundraiser.
Grant recipients were announced by Bishop Tod Brown at a ceremony and reception at the Christ Cathedral campus.
The grants were funded through more than 30,000 individual donations at the diocese’s 62 parishes and centers in OC.
About $1.4 million will go toward tuition assistance grants to help 6,000 students attend 25 Catholic elementary schools.
The funds also support local needs in parish communities such as building renovations, new facilities and community outreach. A $609,000 grant to Catholic Charities of Orange County will help feed the hungry through the local food bank and provide counseling.
Children’s Books
Laguna Hills-based California Association of Community Managers and Orange County United Way’s Women’s Philanthropy Fund collected 12,000 children’s books to be distributed to Santa Ana-based Think Together.
The books will be used in Think Together’s early literacy program.
Ice Cream
Santa Ana-based environmental consultant Chambers Group Inc. recently donated 18 gallons of ice cream to the Tustin-based Orange County Rescue Mission.
The Rescue Mission used the ice cream to make milkshakes.
Oakley Field Trip
Kids got to explore Oakley Inc.’s headquarters in Foothill Ranch as part of the Tustin-based Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County’s Destination College program.
Oakley, a subsidiary of Italy-based Luxottica Group, has been a longtime supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of OC through event sponsorships, donations and volunteering.
Coming Events
HomeAid Orange County’s Project Playhouse auction and fundraiser will be held Oct. 5 at The Balboa Bay Club & Resort in Newport Beach, with proceeds to help HomeAid’s mission of building and renovating shelters for nonprofits. Irvine-based HomeAid OC is the charitable arm of the Building Industry Association of Orange County, and its custom-made playhouses have been on display at South Coast Plaza. … Tustin-based Miracles for Kids will hold its annual gala Oct. 6 at the St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point. Acrobatic troupe Il Circo will entertain.
Miracles for Kids helps families with children at Children’s Hospital of Orange County pay for nonhospital expenses, such as rent and groceries. … Costa Mesa-based Working Wardrobes will host a VetNet Nite fundraiser Oct. 18 at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach. The fundraiser will also help Working Wardrobes kick off its new VetNet service, which will provide career training and guidance, job placement and professional clothing to veterans in need. Retired Army 1st Sgt. Matt Eversmann, whose story was captured in the movie Black Hawk Down, will be the keynote speaker. … Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire’s inaugural Evening of Wishes gala will be held Oct. 26 at The Balboa Bay Club. The chapter will celebrate its 30th anniversary.
