The Crowd: 4 worthy causes draw generous supporters to late spring events

One of Orange County’s longest-serving women’s charitable confederations, Angelitos de Oro, joined formidable forces for a late spring luncheon held at Big Canyon Country Club, Newport Beach in order to deliver some very good news.

As a fundraising auxiliary for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire, the women of Angelitos function as financial angels, providing serious backing in support of a serious program mentoring SoCal kids from diverse backgrounds. Recent major gifts from members includes multimillion-dollar funds from real estate donated by Laguna Beach and Dallas, Texas resident Beverly Ray. This level of philanthropy awarded to a local nonprofit changes many lives for many years.

The big news at the spring luncheon was the celebration of the end of the 2021-22 school year and the announcement of the Big Brothers Big Sisters “High School Bigs� of the year. They are outstanding local students who volunteer their time, talent, and compassion mentoring younger students in their community.

President of Angelitos de Oro, Patti Estabrooks joins C.C. Knowles and Cari Young at annual luncheon honoring local youth.

(Ann Chatillon)

Angelitos de Oro president Patti Estabrooks welcomed the young man and young woman selected as High School Bigs of the Year: Natalia Leon from Middle College High School in Santa Ana and Eduardo Reyes Arciga of Tustin High School. The gathering of some 100 women, most of whom who have served BB/BS through Angelitos for decades, offered a standing ovation with applause bouncing off the vaulted ceiling of the dining room.

Generous and enthusiastic support came from luncheon co-chairs Mary Godber, Nancy Hegness and Beverly Willgeroth joining C.C. Knowles, Cari Young, Ann Dennis, Kathy Harrison, GiGi Spragins and Hyla Bertea. Other standouts in the crowd of exceptional local givers included Marie-France Lefevre, Natalie Pickup (husband Todd Pickup serves as president of BB/BS), Harriet Harris, Barbara Bowie and the one-and-only Marilyn Wooten.

Hope matters

O.C. philanthropist extraordinaire Marybelle Musco, widow of the late and loved S. Paul Musco, stepped up in a most serious financial way to assist the cancer research in progress at City of Hope. Her generosity was celebrated at the “Let’s Be Frank About Cancer� gala held recently at Balboa Bay Resort, Newport Beach.

The gala raised some $450,000 specifically directed to the Lennar Foundation Cancer Center at City of Hope, Orange County opening in Irvine this year. The new research center will be led by distinguished medical scientist and cancer specialist Dr. Sumanta K. Pal.

‘Let’s Be Frank About Cancer’ gala committee presenting a $450,000 check to City of Hope for cancer research at annual event held at Balboa Bay Resort.

(Kyle Espeleta)

The black-tie event, which launched in 2015 under the creative auspices of business leader Frank Di Bella, a cancer survivor crediting Dr. Pal for his survival, went on a lifelong mission to “pay it forward.� Since 2015 some $8 million has been raised at the event for City of Hope Cancer research.

James Doti, president emeritus of Chapman University, presented the Frank Di Bella Humanitarian Award to Marybelle Musco. Front and center for the celebration was Annette Walker, president of City of Hope Orange County, along with Emile Haddad and Lynn Jochim; John DeCero, chief executive of Mechanics Bank; Dennis Kuhl, chair, Angels Baseball; and Vicki Gunvalson of “The Real Housewives of Orange County.�

Singing for supper

A spectacular sold-out event honored Maestro Carl St. Clair and choir member and philanthropist Lenora Meister with lifetime achievement awards at the Pacific Chorale’s evening billed as “A Celebration of the Voice.�

Pacific Chorale Artistic Director Rob Istad, left, with David Navaro.

(Nick Koon for Pacific Chorale)

The late spring celebration held in the suburb Samueli Theater at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa attracted a full house of more than 220 chorale devotees raising some $450,000 benefiting Pacific Chorale performances as well as music education funding and outdoor music programs throughout Orange County.

Pacific Chorale Chair Craig Springer and Kirsten Springer at season closing party held at the Samueli Theatre, Costa Mesa.

(Nick Koon for Pacific Chorale)

Supporting the chorale were Michael and Lynne Istad, John Alexander, Andrew Brown, president and chief executive of the chorale; Brian Bates, Molly Pontin and composer Jake Runestad. Also front and center were Nan Ding, Lisa Huang, Amy Weng and Sharon Zhao.

Creating brighter futures

Dedicated to domestic violence prevention, education, and eradication, Laura’s House of Southern California held its seventh annual “Brighter Futures� luncheon at Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach. The serious afternoon gathering was chaired by Laura’s House board member Patty Bucklen and raised $110,000 in support of services rendered to victims fleeing domestic violence.

Laura’s House honoree Annette Oltmans with Patty Bucklen, event chair at annual luncheon benefiting victims of domestic abuse.

(Ann Chatillon)

“As we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic, we have seen a sharp uptick in domestic violence cases in Orange County and beyond, making it critical to support our community with the resources needed to live free of all forms of abuse,� said Margaret Bayston, Laura’s House CEO/executive director.

During the event, Veronica Stephens, manager of the newly named H.O.P.E. department (Healing, Outreach, Prevention and Education), described the valuable education programs and workshops which Laura’s House provides to youth and adults in the community.

Michael K. Hayde and Laura Khouri attend the Laura’s House ‘Brighter Futures’ event.

(Ann Chatillon)

The 2022 Brighter Futures Award was presented to keynote speaker Annette Oltmans, founder and chief executive of the M3ND Project, a nonprofit organization created to educate victims and responders about original abuse and double abuse, according to Kennedy Dalton with the organization.

Luncheon sponsors were Laura Khouri, Jim Murray, R.D. Olsen Group, Hoag Memorial Hospital, Aviso Legal Group LLP, Brenda Zalke, Liz Eastin, Lilly Pulitzer, Nolet Spirits, Balboa Bay Resort and event chair Patty Bucklen.

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