Achievements in philanthropy

The Oxford Dictionary defines philanthropy as love of mankind, practical sympathy and benevolence.

Laguna is loaded with philanthropists who devote time to helping the poor and the troubled.

Janice and Ted Smith were honored recently with the Orange County Spirit of Philanthropy Lifetime Achievement Award.

“We were totally surprised,” Ted Smith said. “We didn’t appreciate how widely supported this program is. I was amazed. There were 1,100 people at the luncheon.”

The Smiths were recognized for their donations of time and money to UC Irvine, the Segerstrom Concert Hall and the MIND Institute, founded by the late Gordon Shaw of Laguna Beach.

“Dr. Shaw’s unwavering belief that each child has the ability to do complex math and should be given the opportunity to reach their full potential, especially children from disadvantaged backgrounds, has made it possible for the institute to make a difference in the lives of so many children today,” said Ted Smith, who chairs the board.

The institute’s Math+Music program now reaches more than 18,000 students in elementary schools and leads to dramatic improvement in math scores, based on California standardized tests.

Janice Smith co-chaired the 2005 MIND Award Dinner, which raised $250,000.

“I thank my lucky stars for them,” said institute vice president for development Mickey Shaw (no relation to the founder), also a Laguna Beach resident. “They are the best volunteers I have ever worked with in my 20-year-career as a fundraiser.”

The Smiths have donated close to $1 million to the institute, according to Shaw. They don’t keep track.

“Janice and I are focused on individual programs, and we get so much more than we give,” Smith said.

The National Philanthropic Day luncheon at which the Smiths were honored was held at the Anaheim Hotel.