The Crowd: Segerstrom Center awards dinner honors O.C. leaders

A connection between business and culture was the theme of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts Leadership Awards Dinner. The recent evening gathering at the center welcomed some 300 guests who came to salute Zee Allred, receiving the Distinguished Leader Award, and Ashleigh Aitken, honored with the Rising Leader Award.

John Ginger, chairman of the center’s board, commented: “When a community fosters a strong arts sector, neighborhoods transform, attracting new businesses and bright minds.” Allred and Aitken, representing two distinct generations of philanthropy, were surrounded by multigenerational O.C. fans over a dinner of hearts of palm and avocado salad followed by a duet of beef tenderloin and barramundi.

The upbeat program was chaired by Rick Multh and Will Meehan, both Segerstrom Center board members. Afterward, the crowd was invited to join the public in Segerstrom Hall to enjoy a concert by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jackson Browne. Funds raised will benefit the center’s community outreach programs, mainly focusing on exposing O.C. youth to the vast and diverse world of performing arts.

Children are our most precious resource

For the past 19 years, the indefatigable O.C. PR pro Gloria Zigner has executive produced the CHOC Follies that benefit Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Millions of dollars have been raised.

More than $8 million, in fact.

This past spring, the 19th installment in the Zigner run, billed as “Carly and the CHOCO Factory,” brought in an impressive additional $700,000 for the cause.

A very dedicated volunteer team led by Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, Dale Skiles and Sue Ann Cross joined the production staff of John Vaughan, Doug Austin and Lee Martino in making the show possible.

Zigner is currently in discussion with CHOC President Kim Cripe to bring the Follies back for a crowning finale and 20th anniversary run next spring 2017.

The tacos were the stars

Share Our Selves did it again.

The 23rd annual Wild & Crazy Taco Night attracted some 750 taco lovers in a massive sampling created by 31 top O.C. chefs. Organizers called it “a delicious success.” And it was.

More than $72,000 was raised in support of the Costa Mesa-based SOS food pantry that feeds the hungry. Major sponsors and underwriters included James Atkins Jr., Jim and Diane Bailey, Theodore Robins Ford, the Frome Family Foundation, Dr. Richard and Sandra Haskell, Michael and Diane Stephens, Karen Klein and Bob and Anne Cross, to name only a few.

The definition of mercy

Mercy House Living Centers, one of the So Cal agencies assisting the homeless, invited some 300 supporters to join the cause at a recent dinner fundraiser held at the Fairmont Newport Beach hotel. Organizers billed the event as their “Living With Heart” gala, raising a substantial $320,000 for Mercy House programs.

Executive Director Larry Haynes shared with supporters that Mercy House placed some 1,055 individuals over the past year into housing and the numbers are increasing. Overall, the agency assisted some 5,700 men, women and children during the last fiscal year.

Founded in 1988 by Father Jerome Karcher, Mercy House has been led by Haynes for the past several decades with facilities in Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties as well as in Phoenix. Major support for the cause comes from local citizens including Michael Ray, Mladen and Jennifer Buntich, Tim and Madeleine Clyde, Ray and Lisa Bukaty, Ruth Sully, Carl and Paula Karcher, Les and Teresa Whitney, and Rich and Susan Masterson, to name only a few.

Strong families protect kids

Downtown Disney was the place, as the House of Blues opened its doors for Olive Crest. More than 300 guests converged for Olive Crest’s spring concert that starred country musician Jimmy Wayne, who sang his hits like “Sara Smile,” “Do You Believe Me Now” and “I Love You This Much.” Wayne charmed his audience who had come to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged families and children. He shared his personal journey with the crowd, as he too was a former foster kid who found himself homeless.

Net proceeds from the concert event, which are reaching the $120,000 mark, are slated to support Olive Crest’s Project Independence, which directly assists foster youth ages 14 to 24 with the support needed to become independent and successful adults.

Olive crest founders Dr. Donald and Lois Verleur welcomed special guests, including Dave Hirz, William Meehan and Lisa Neal, who all accepted honors for their support of Olive Crest. Rutan and Tucker LLC was also honored as a corporate champion for children.

Founded in 1973 Olive Crest has served some 70,000 at-risk children and their families.

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B.W. COOK is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.