Community and business leaders attending the UC Irvine Health gala, “Healers & Heroes,” proved to be the evening’s heroes, donating more than $530,000 in only 15 minutes for an intraoperative radiation therapy device with the potential to reduce breast cancer treatment and recovery times for many patients.
More than 500 people attended the celebration at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa in Anaheim on April 26.
Sponsors and guests, including in the special appeal, generated a record $1.6 million in gala proceeds to support cancer research and patient care at the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, which is part of UC Irvine Health and is Orange County’s only comprehensive cancer center.
Terry A. Belmont, chief executive of UC Irvine Medical Center and the event’s host, presented the UC Irvine Health CEO Leadership Award to Western National Group Chief Executive Michael K. Hayde for his philanthropic support of cancer research and patient care.
Longtime Hayde friend and internationally recognized soprano Jeralyn Glass performed a musical tribute to the honoree.
The Community Action Partnership of Orange County celebrated more than 70 corporate and community leaders at the 50th Anniversary of the Community Action Movement event at the Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona del Mar on May 7.
The Pimco Foundation received the “Corporate Legacy Award,” the top honor, for its work with the OC Food Bank Share the Harvest boxed food campaign that’s conducted each year during the holiday season.
“We are extremely honored to receive this award and are proud of our ongoing partnership with Community Action Partnership and the OC Food Bank,” said Sarah Middleton, executive director of the Pimco Foundation. “Each year, we look forward to participating in the Share the Harvest campaign, and through the generosity and volunteerism of our employees, were able to donate and assemble 15,000 holiday food boxes last year to distribute to families in need.”
Ralphs/Food 4 Less, the Walmart Foundation, South Coast Plaza, UPS, St. Joseph Health Foundation, The Edwards Lifescience Fund, the Allergan Foundation, Ingram Micro, Disneyland Resorts, and Southern California Edison were also honored for their efforts to make Orange County a better place to live for all residents.
More than 200 guests donned cowboy boots and rhinestones at the Annual Seneca Orange County Spring Soiree on May 3 at the Yorba Linda Country Club.
The event netted more than $75,000, which will benefit Seneca Orange County and the programs of the Kinship Center and Canyon Acres. The nonprofit organization plans to use the funds to enhance signature programs and expand services to meet the needs of children in Orange County with the scars of past abuse and trauma.
The 2014 Children’s Champion Award was accepted by Erin Lastinger, chief executive of the A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation, for the foundation’s support of Seneca Orange County’s Continuum of Care service platform.
Event sponsors included TROY Group Inc.; A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation; KMJ Corbin & Co.; Snell & Wilmer LLP; Kenny the Printer; C.W. Industries Inc.; and MConsensus.
The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar raised $60,000 for the Marconi Foundation for Kids and Working Wardrobes’ VetNet program in its sixth year of producing the “Sunday in the Vineyard” wine-tasting event.
About 250 guests gathered on May 4 at the Marconi Automotive Museum in Tustin for wine tasting from more than 80 selections, many of which are considered unique and rare finds from boutique wineries spanning the globe. The Winery’s executive chef and partner, Yvon Goetz, created unique appetizers designed to complement the wines. The event included live and silent auctions.
“After our sixth year hosting Sunday in the Vineyard, we have raised more than $300,000 for worthy organizations in our community,” said JC Clow, managing partner of The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar.
Bits & Pieces
Debra Miller, founder and chief executive of CureDuchenne, a Newport Beach nonprofit group that raises awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and raises money to help find a cure, is a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2014 Award. Winners will be announced June 4 at the St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point. … The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation named Miracles for Kids an IMPACT Partner Charity for the second year in a row for its work serving children with life-threatening illnesses and the families that care for them.
