Exceeding Expectations
The J. F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center hosted its annual gala fundraiser on June 8, raising a record-breaking $1.2 million and exceeding its fundraising goal.
The sold-out black-tie event, hosted at the Montage Laguna Beach, welcomed 420 Shea Center supporters. Guests gathered on the Pacific Lawn with views of the ocean to enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres, two signature cocktails at the full bar and photo ops. The wine wall offered selections from Trinitas Cellars while guests mingled, took in the views and listened to classical and contemporary music. The reception also included a silent auction with more than 280 items.
Following the cocktail gathering, guests entered the grand ballroom for live music and dinner. The evening’s program included the presentation of the Michael Lewis Friends of the Disabled Award to Tony Gregory, chief executive officer, Custom Goods LLC. and board member, The Shea Center. In addition to his service on the board for the past nine years and his financial support, Gregory recently donated strategic consulting services and a much-needed forklift, helping to optimize the organization’s future operations.
Other gala highlights included a live auction and a Fund-a-Need supporting priority programs. An anonymous gift of $50,000 launched the giving and from there, contributions flowed in at various levels.
The evening was made possible by sponsors and underwriters, including Hamir Family Charitable Trust, The Gregory Family, Alliance Cabling, Inc., The Crevier Family Foundation, CSI Construction Company, Fidelity National Title Builder Services, First American Title Homebuilder Services, Fluidmaster, Moore Twining Associates/Harry and Ruthie Moore, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, Silverline Construction, Inc., South Coast Plaza, Trevor’s at the Tracks/Tiffany & Trevor Baird and US Bank/Paul O’Mara.
Lifting Vulnerable Families
Pacific Life Foundation bestowed Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC) with the 2024 Walter B. Gerken Community Service Award. The award, a $100,000 grant, will support the organization’s efforts to end and prevent poverty for vulnerable families and individuals throughout Orange County.
“This recognition is a testament to the partnership we have developed with the Pacific Life Foundation through their longstanding commitment and volunteerism at the OC Food Bank and their commitment to support our efforts to provide resources for food-insecure residents in Orange County,” said Gregory C. Scott, president and CEO, CAP OC.
This award is given to one standout nonprofit each year, recognizing a longstanding partnership with Pacific Life and active engagement with its employees. The CAP OC Food Bank serves over 28 million pounds of food every year, including fresh produce and proteins, as well as non-perishable items such as rice, pasta and more.
“We are honored to select Community Action Partnership of Orange County this year to receive the Pacific Life Foundation’s Walter B. Gerken Award,” said Tennyson Oyler, president, Pacific Life Foundation. “As an outstanding nonprofit protecting the safety net of our Orange County community, this award allows us to recognize the importance of the OC Food Bank’s mission to end hunger and malnutrition.”
Funding a Safe Haven
CalOptima Health announced on June 25 that it provided Illumination Foundation with a $3.5 million grant to acquire, renovate and expand a property in Santa Ana that will serve as the nation’s first recuperative care for children and families experiencing homelessness.
“This grant for Illumination Foundation will deliver life-changing transitional housing services for many individuals and families in Orange County who have struggled to navigate the complex system of homeless services and housing,” said Michael Hunn, CEO, CalOptima Health. “Simply put, housing is health. Stable housing is the very foundation for accessing medical and behavioral health services.”
Illumination Foundation’s Children and Families Recuperative Care Program will provide transitional housing to medically vulnerable homeless children and their families, offering a haven for children to recover from illness or injury post-hospitalization while addressing the complex challenges faced by their families.
CalOptima Health’s grants are tied to participation in California’s Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program (HHIP), which allows the health plan to fund transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, expanded community-based services, projects that support systems change and equity grants for organizations to build capacity.
“This program will fill a critical need for vulnerable families and help build healthier, more resilient communities,” said Dr. Pooja Bhalla, CEO, Illumination Foundation.
Bits & Pieces
Superior Grocers donated $25,000 in June to support Pretend City Children’s Museum’s “Museums for All” program, which reduces admission prices, ensuring accessibility to families who may not otherwise experience the museum … Cox Communications, in recognition of June being Internet Safety Month, sponsored a digital safety presentation for nearly 30 youth in grades 5-8 at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach on June 28, where Jon Moffat, digital safety expert and owner, Cyber Education Consulting, covered topics such as being safe online on their mobile phones and while playing online video games … The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, BJ’s Pizza, Target, Ikea, Anaheim Ducks, Raising Cane’s and Vans provided items including blankets, safety keychains, hygiene products and more for the Girls Inc. of Orange County’s annual College Shower event on May 17, where 150 graduating high school senior girls from the organization’s College Bound Program received tote bags filled with essentials for their first year of college, and scholarships were awarded to 20 girls totaling $222,000.
