Kids 4 Hope. Hope for Kids
On June 25, Stater Bros. Charities, the charitable arm of Stater Bros. Markets, presented a check for more than $900,000 to the City of Hope, representing donations from their Kids 4 Hope fundraising campaign.
In just 12 days, from May 1 through May 12, 2024, Stater Bros. locations jointly collected donations from customers and Stater Bros. teammates to support childhood cancer treatment and education programs at City of Hope. Customers donated by purchasing $1 and $5 mobiles during checkout.
The check presentation event was held at Stater Bros. Falcon Ridge store in Fontana to recognize the location’s status as the chain’s top fundraiser this year.
“Cancer is a difficult diagnosis for anyone, but it can be particularly devastating to a child and their family,” said Nancy Negrette, chairman and president, Stater Bros. Charities. “We are so proud to support the great work that City of Hope does for pediatric cancer treatment and their emphasis on addressing the long-term effects of childhood cancer.”
Kids 4 Hope funding ensures that affected children and their families can access services and resources that will help them throughout their cancer journey. Funds support pediatric cancer treatment and education programs at City of Hope such as Child Life Services, Patient Navigation, Academic Advocacy and Transportation Assistance.
100 Years of Patriotism
The American Legion Newport Harbor Post 291 celebrated its 100th anniversary with a three-day event from July 4 to 6, attracting community members and dignitaries for a weekend filled with patriotism and festivity.
Founded in 1924, Post 291 began as a group of 30 World War I veterans to become one of the largest American Legion posts in the nation, with more than 4,200 members. The centennial celebration honored the past and looked forward to continuing its mission of service and camaraderie.
The festivities began with an Independence Day pancake breakfast on July 4, serving more than 600 meals, followed by lunch for nearly 700 attendees. Throughout the day, guests enjoyed food, drinks, a silent auction, live music performances, a boat parade and fireworks.
The next day, Post 291 hosted a black-tie gala dinner in the newly refurbished Great Hall that included special presentations honoring veterans for their service, including commendations from Gavin Newsom, governor, California, Janet Nguyen, senator, California and Will O’Neil, mayor, City of Newport Beach.
The final day of the celebration, July 6, was a day-long festival featuring live music throughout the day, food and drinks and a continuation of the silent auction.
Pence Wealth Management and the City of Newport Beach were among the celebration’s many sponsors.
Festival of Food and Fun
Hoag Summer Fest celebrated its 36th year supporting Hoag patients with its food and music festival at Newport Dunes. This year’s event, held on June 20, was a western-inspired fête featuring country artists Daring Greatly and Ellis Bryant. 44 top local restaurants and beverage partners showcased their signature drinks and culinary concepts in small bites.
The sold-out event welcomed more than 1,200 guests and raised more $380,000 for the Boldly Hoag campaign, supporting increased access to care on Hoag’s Sun Family Campus in Irvine.
Presenting sponsors Woodside Credit and the Kirwan Family Foundation were instrumental to the event’s success.
2024 Hoag Summer Fest restaurant and beverage partners who donated their time, talent, food and beverage include Ammatoli, Ambitious Ales, Argaux, Balboa Bay Resort, Bluewater Grill, Body Vodka, Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, Byblos Café, Café Sevilla, Catering by Mix Mix/Verdant, Cannery, Chaak Kitchen, Champagnes Kitchen, Colette’s Catering & Events, Descanso, Duke’s Huntington Beach, El Cholo, Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens, Five Crowns & SideDoor, Flaky Apple Pie Co., Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen, Hi-Time Wine Cellars, Ho Sum Bistro, Honey & Hive Boards, Il Barone Ristorante, La Competencia Imports, Lido Bottle Works, Louie’s by the Bay, Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center Mobile Kitchen, Miss Mini Donuts, Newport Rib Company, Nomada, Oeb Breakfast Co., Oliver’s Osteria & Oliver’s Trattoria, Simply Fish, Starfish, Straub, Sunbliss Café,  Sweetgreen, Ten Sushi & Cocktail Bar, TK Burgers, Urbana Mexican Gastronomy, W Café & Restaurant and Zotovich Famiy Vineyards & Winery.
As part of Hoag’s mission to deliver specialized care to more communities in Orange County, the Boldly Hoag campaign is helping bring new pavilions dedicated to women’s health, cancer, digestive health and surgical innovation to the Irvine campus.
Scheduled to be complete in 2026, the Sun Family Campus will feature gardens and outdoor decks for respite alongside these modern, state-of-the-art buildings to reflect Irvine’s village aesthetic.
Bits & Pieces
On July 12, 430 guests attended the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County & The Inland Empire (BBBS) annual High School Bigs Summer Celebration, which promotes engagement between Bigs and Littles, where young attendees received backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, free books from the Anaheim Public Library, mental health resources from Higher Ground Youth and Family Services and Western Youth Services, and enjoyed a variety of games and activities …
The Illumination Foundation’s 11th Annual Carnival for Kids, held at St. Anthony Mary Claret Church in Anaheim on July 27, brought volunteers from area companies, community organizations and elected officials together to create a memorable, carefree day for families experiencing homelessness as well as raise awareness and support for the need to provide housing and healthcare services for unhoused families …
In honor of the July 21, 2024 CHOC Walk in the Park presented by Disneyland Resort, Orange County’s Credit Union raised more than $15,500 to benefit Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) through efforts that included sweepstakes, silent auctions, donations through social media awareness and fundraising through food and art sales.
