Donations Top $1 Million for Centennial Fete

More than $1 million in private donations have already been raised for Orange County’s centennial celebration, scheduled to begin a year hence, organizers announced Saturday night.

Robert W. Clifford, chairman of the board of directors of Orange County Centennial Inc., said the amount raised thus far is more than two-thirds of the $1.5 million needed to conduct the yearlong celebration, which is to begin on Aug. 1, 1988.

“We think this centennial celebration for Orange County is going to be what the (1984) Olympics was for Los Angeles,” Clifford said at a news conference at the Brea Civic and Cultural Center.

“This centennial is intended to place Orange County where it should be, not only in the eyes of its citizens, but in the eyes of the nation as well,” he added. “(Orange County) will achieve the recognition it so deserves every day, nationally and internationally.”

Later, more than 300 organizers and representatives of corporations sponsoring the centennial attended a party at the center at which plans for the celebration were unveiled. The crowd also was feted with music, dancers and an array of cultural presentations.

Officials said six organizers, which make up the Founders’ Circle, had already contributed at least $100,000 each for the celebration. The group includes the Santa Margarita Co., the Irvine Co., American Airlines, Disneyland, the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register.

Another 18 official sponsors have donated a minimum of $15,000 each, the organizers announced.

Ronald L. Merriman, managing partner of the local Peat, Marwick office and chairman of the development committee for the centennial, said the organization needs to raise another $500,000 to meet the $1.5-million campaign goal. He said $300,000 of the donations will be used to establish a college scholarship fund for residents born in the county in 1989.

Merriman said the corporations that have contributed money for the yearlong celebration were “the backbone” of the fund-raising effort. He also said the committee will try to recruit 20 more companies to contribute funds in the next few months.

“We’re going to throw the best birthday party any county has ever thrown,” he said, adding that fund-raising “has been the easiest part. We can pay our bills and we think that’s important.

“My committee dedicated itself to being financially viable and we are,” Merriman said.

Organizers said about 100 activities are planned throughout the year and will include artistic, educational and historical celebrations and other special events.

The 60th Major League All-Star Game, scheduled to be played at Anaheim Stadium in July, 1989, and a Tall Ships competition also will be part of the centennial celebration.