Viva Innovative Education
More than 350 philanthropists, corporate partners and community leaders came together on May 10 to celebrate Cristo Rey Orange County High School’s first year at the inaugural Viva gala.
The event, which took place at Vea Resort and Spa in Newport Beach, honored Tim and Alanna Psomas, founding benefactors, whose leadership made Cristo Rey Orange County High School possible. Tim Psomas is also the former chief executive and chairman of the board, Psomas, a consulting engineering firm specializing in the land development, transportation and water/wastewater markets across the western United States.
Viva raised $2 million, which will support growth as the school doubles enrollment this fall and will help ensure Cristo Rey is an affordable option for students who might otherwise be unable to access a Catholic college prep high school that offers integrated, real-world work experience.
Through Cristo Rey’s Corporate Work Study Program, students earn nearly half of the cost of their education working at leading Orange County companies. Companies participating in the program include Silverado, GSI Group Holdings, Sunwest Bank, MBK Real Estate Companies, Brown and Streza Attorneys at Law and KBS Realty Advisors.
WCM Investment Management (WCM), presenting sponsor, underwrote all event costs, ensuring every dollar raised directly supported students. Additionally, WCM matched donations dollar for dollar made during the paddle raise.
“Viva was an incredible opportunity to introduce Cristo Rey Orange County to the community at large and ensure the awareness of the school, its unique corporate work-study program, and the impact it is having on students and families,” said Michael Trigg, president, WCM Investment Management.
Rand Sperry, co-founder, Sperry Commercial Global Affiliates and Sperry Equities Inc., and his wife, Rosemary Sperry, served as Viva gala co-chairs. Other donors included Ed Slater, principal, Slater Builders and Liz Slater, co-founder and CEO, Slater Builders; Roger Kirwan, founder and CEO, Woodside Credit and Tracy Kirwan; Oscar González, co-president and COO, Northgate González Markets and Silvia González; and Al Baldwin, CEO, Baldwin and Sons, and Pam Baldwin.
A Perfect Fit
On May 11, The Glass Slipper Guild, an auxiliary guild of Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), held its 30th anniversary gala, A Luminous Affair, at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach to support the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center at CHOC. The black-tie event raised more than $800,000, a record-breaking amount for the guild.
Nancy Thompson, co-founder, Thompson Family Foundation and Bill Thompson, co-founder, Thompson Family Foundation adviser and emeritus chairman and chief executive, Pimco, were honored at the gala with the Glass Slipper Guild Luminary Award for their efforts, through the Thompson Family Foundation, to advance healthcare and education about autism, with special attention to the many challenges faced by children and families affected by ASD and other neurodevelopmental issues.
In 2018, the Thompsons gave a $10 million founding gift to create what is now the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center at CHOC, which opened in 2020.
The center provides diagnostic evaluations, behavioral consultations, therapy and medical management for children and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental challenges.
“We are deeply moved and grateful for our community who helped us raise over $800,000 for the Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center at CHOC,” said Amy Oliver, co-president, CHOC Glass Slipper Guild. “Celebrating 30 years as a guild is special in and of itself, but to have this be the year that we also achieved a record-breaking fundraising amount truly made this gala that much more rewarding.”
Festive, Philanthropic and Fun
The Orangewood Foundation raised more than $670,000 at this year’s ninth annual Orangewood Challenge and second annual OrangewoodFest, held on April 20 at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort. Proceeds from the event benefit Orangewood Foundation’s programs, providing essential resources and support to foster community youth, helping them to thrive and achieve their full potential.
Event sponsors included the Samueli Foundation, Haynes Boone, Turf Newport Beach and Brown Forman.
The day began with the Orangewood Challenge, a multi-sport, team-based obstacle course. This race benefits Orangewood Foundation’s programs, which support life skills and employment development, housing, education, and health and wellness for youth in foster care.
Participating teams included representatives from Lennar, Optima Tax, Haynes Boone, Cliq, Fidelity Bancorp, First Bank and Farmers & Merchants Bank.
After the race concluded, participants joined hundreds of spectators at OrangewoodFest, a celebratory party at the finish line. The community was invited to this free public celebration, which featured live music by Flashback Heart Attack.
Bits & Pieces
Nearly 1,000 guests gathered on June 1 in Jerome Park to commemorate KidWorks’ 30-year journey with the Santa Ana community at a free, community-wide celebration that featured live music, free snacks and drinks, food trucks, raffles, carnival games, special guests, a Zumba exercise session, and more. …
Dr. Jerry Mandel, president emeritus and vice chair, board of directors, capital campaigns, Irvine Barclay Theatre, was recognized for his service and dedication to Irvine through his executive work at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Irvine Barclay Theater and University of California, Irvine by the City of Irvine on June 11 when his name was added to the city’s Wall of Recognition at Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park.
