At the Heart of It
Casa Youth Shelter held its annual gala on May 10 at the Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach. The event netted $335,000 to support the organization’s mission of providing support services for youth experiencing abuse, homelessness, human trafficking and mental health crises. The gala’s theme, Art With Heart, underscored the importance of art therapy, which fosters confidence, stability, and provides tools for growth, making it an integral part of Casa Youth Shelter’s approach to supporting youth.
Event sponsors include Aldana Financial; The DelRe Foundation; Green St. Interiors/Judy Klabouch; Howard, Kittle & Company CPAs LLP/Kristine and Gary Howard; Perry Wealth Management; Kitchen Table Marketing; Mission Microwave; Betty and Troy Edgar; and Southland Credit Union.
The evening began with a cocktail hour featuring live jazz music. Guests were then served a three-course plated dinner, engaging donation games, a silent auction and a message from a Casa Youth Shelter alumna, who shared how she benefitted from the organization’s services.
At the event, Kenny Brandyberry, board member of Casa Youth Shelter, received the Legacy Honoree award for 25 years of dedication to Casa Youth Shelter, during which he played a pivotal role in shaping programs. The late Dr. Lois Abrams was honored as the Founders Honoree for devoting 45 years to supporting youth mental healthcare.
“We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors, donors and attendees for their unwavering support,” said Jessica Hubbard, chief executive, Casa Youth Shelter. “Together, we are making a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable young individuals, empowering them to build a future filled with stability, safety and success.”
Dance On
More than 160 guests enjoyed an Opening Night Reception at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, ahead of The Wooden Floor’s 41st Annual Concert: Onward. The event raised $150,500 in support of dance, academic and family services for the organization. The reception’s honorary underwriter was the Beall Family Foundation with additional underwriting provided by the Helen Sperry Lea Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Socorro & Ernesto Vasquez, Davis/Dauray Family Fund, Roxanne and Eric Goodman and the Linda and Tod White Charitable Fund.
“As a creative youth development organization, we know that … dance positively influence(s) the social, emotional, and academic well-being for young people to thrive,” said Dawn Reese, chief executive, The Wooden Floor. “Our students have opportunities to find solutions to complex challenges and emerge from The Wooden Floor with courage and confidence.” She noted that the Class of 2024 is The Wooden Floor’s 20th class in a row to 100% enroll in higher education.
Guests then enjoyed the 41st Annual Concert: Onward performance, which featured pieces by Jennifer Bassage Bonfil, artistic director, The Wooden Floor, and guest choreographers Momar Ndiaye and Tristan Koepke.
Passport to Fun
On April 29, Tilly’s Inc. hosted its 17th annual charity golf tournament, Around the World in 18 Holes, at the Mission Viejo Country Club. The sold-out event netted $250,000, which will benefit Tilly’s Life Center (TLC) youth empowerment programs.
“We’ve been doing this event for 17 years now and the excitement grows each year,” said Tilly Levine, co-founder, Tilly’s and founder, TLC. “I feel so much gratitude for this community who goes all out and genuinely cares about supporting our youth.”
Upon arrival at Mission Viejo Country Club, golfers checked in, received their passports and collected swag bags sponsored by The North Face, Rainbow Sandals, DIFF Eyewear, Sandy Par, Nomadix and Sun Bum.
Then they headed to the VIP lounge breakfast party featuring live music from Vox DJs and a putting contest sponsored by JREAM and RG Legado Tequila. A shotgun start got golfers on their way to travel around the world through various hole activations in theme, including Mexico, Australia, Cuba, Japan, England, Africa, Canada, Hawaii, Ireland, France, Scotland and Italy. Food and beverages were served throughout the course, along with games and entertainment including prize wheels, corn hole, claw machines, hole-in-one competitions and relays.
Event sponsors included Ethika, Direct Edge, J-Star, Liquid Graphics, Oakley, Volcom, Billabong, RVCA, Captain Fin, Stance, MURF, The Printer’s Circle, ReadsAir, Elephant Cooperation and Grunk Dolfer. Food and drinks were provided by 805 Beer, Dang Brother Pizza, Chronic Tacos, Board & Brew, Bumbu Rum Company, California Grill & Bar, Califino Tequila, Full Bore, Good Bev. Co., John Battle Spirits, LAVA Craft Cocktail Co., McQueen and the Violet Fog Artisanal Gin, Miss Mini Donuts, Positive Beverage, Sammy’s Beach Bar Cocktail Co., San Diego Distillery, Sweetfin, The Booze Outlet, Webb’s Grainworks, Archie’s Ice Cream, The Tap Truck, RG Legado Tequila, Owlvericks and Luc Belaire.
Bits & Pieces
Cox Communications, Angels Baseball and the Angels Baseball Foundation will bring three community programs to Orange County this summer and fall, including Angels players and Strike Force appearances in Cox retail stores; a free baseball clinic at The Great Park in Irvine; and Classroom Connections assemblies that will include appearances by Angels players, Angels game ticket giveaways and STEM grant presentations. … The second annual Dragon Kim Foundation Legacy Fundraiser, A Dragon Night, was held May 4 and raised more than $30,000 to support the foundation’s mission to inspire youth to impact their communities while discovering and pursuing their passions during an evening that celebrated the Year of the Dragon with Asian-themed food, libations, music, a performance by dragon dancers and presentations by 2024 Fellowship teams, a live auction, a cigar area, blackjack tables and poker tournament. … In June, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County received a $1 million grant from the Walmart Foundation and Feeding America, part of a multiyear partnership aimed at bolstering food banks in rural communities and communities of color that are disproportionately affected by food insecurity.
