Family honored for generosity

Deirdre Newman

The “Reach Out Awards” was a fitting name for an event Thursday that

honored the Segerstrom family. The clan’s vision and financial

prowess has reached diverse constituencies, converting lima bean

fields to a shopping plaza while creating hubs for the performing

arts.

About 325 people -- some contributing as much as $25,000 -- paid

homage to the Segerstroms Thursday night at the Sutton Place Hotel in

Newport Beach. At the time of the event, $70,000 had been raised for

the YMCA of Orange County, the evening’s major beneficiary, said

Kristen Thompson, executive director of YMCA of Orange County

community services. The YMCA, along with philanthropists John and

Donna Crean, hosted the event.

Considered the leader of the family’s successful transition from

farming to the world of development, Henry Segerstrom -- third

generation of the Segerstrom dynasty -- is best known for developing

South Coast Plaza and the South Coast Metro area and making possible

the Orange County Performing Arts Center and South Coast Repertory

Theater. The Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall is under

construction.

But Thursday’s award was for the family’s support of the Y’s

mission. The Segerstroms were honored because they donated land for a

new YMCA in Santa Ana that will serve about 80,000 children. Scion

Henry Segerstrom, who attended with wife Elizabeth, said he was

thrilled he could help an organization that affects so many children.

“We’ve been given the opportunity to support a great institution

of Orange County,” Henry Segerstrom said. “It’s great our land can be

used and we wish the YMCA the best as they move forward with

development of their new center.”

The funds raised through the “Reach Out Awards” are used on YMCA

after-school education programs, enrichment activities and mentoring

for disadvantaged children.

YMCA volunteer Antoinette Hunter, 32, and the student she mentors,

Abbie Guild, 11, escorted some of the Segerstrom family members to

their seats. Hunter said she cherishes the opportunity to spend time

with Abbie, who is a foster child.

“I got matched up with her, and we got along great and went on

from there,” Hunter said.

Newport-Mesa Unified School Board member Linda Sneen worked on the

committee that organized the event.”It brings tears to my eyes,”

Sneen said. “I’ve been working so hard on this committee, and to see

this many people here, I think people are being educated and

understand the importance of the YMCA programs.”

This is the 29th year of the event. Last year, it raised about

$125,000. Past honorees include former state Sen. Marian Bergeson and

Orange County Sheriff Michael Corona.

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers government. She may be reached at (714)

966-4623 or by e-mail at [email protected].