Orangewood Foundation, a non-profit organization that serves nearly 2,000 youth in foster care and in the community each year, hosted its 25th annual Ambassadors Luncheon on Friday, October 28 at the Renaissance Hotel in Newport Beach.
The event recognized the individual and collective achievements of Orangewood over the past year while honoring the foundation’s “ambassadors”, volunteers and donors who support the Foundation’s efforts.
This year, the event raised a total of $469,277, which will help the organization support youth in the Orange County community.
“It is because of our generous donors and sponsors that we are able to provide such a high level of support for host and community youth in Orange County,” said Chris Simonsen, CEO of the Orangewood Foundation. “This support is changing the lives of hundreds of young people in our communities by giving them resources, opportunities and connections that pave the way to a prosperous future.
This year, guests were able to experience a new interactive event format as the lunch included an “Innovation Station Tour” consisting of nine stations designed and built by Samueli Academy students.
Each station featured a different innovative program created by the Orangewood Foundation, providing insight and information on the Guardian Scholars Program, Orangewood Children’s Home, Rising Tide Program, Advanced Studies Fund, Samueli Academy, The Lighthouse Project, Young Adult Court, General William Lyon Workforce Academy, and the Orangewood Grove highlighting the future of Orangewood.
The luncheon honored 25-year-old Orangewood staff member and resource center supervisor Lisa Evans with the General William Lyon Crystal Vision Award, which recognizes worthy individuals who have given generously of their time and resources and which reflect the unending commitment to the youth of Orange County that was demonstrated by founding council chairman, General William Lyon.
Longtime Orangewood supporter and steadfast kitchen volunteer, Kelly Bozza, was also honored with the William G. Steiner Heart of Service Award, which recognizes individuals with an unwavering passion for helping young people and going above and beyond. beyond to support the organization.
The luncheon was made possible by several sponsors, including Holly and David Wilson, Angels Baseball Foundation, Anaheim Ducks Foundation, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Sandi and Doug Jackson, William Lyon, Jeff Roos, Bill and Pat Podlich, Christine and Robert Bartholomew , Samueli Foundation, Ueberroth Family Foundation, Union Bank, The Livingston Family Foundation, Korbel Champagne, CommerceWest Bank, Titan Health & Security Technologies, Optima Tax Relief, Returning Home Foundation, CSU Fullerton, Barry & Toni McManus, Kirksey & Co., Chase Bank, Disneyland Resort, Cal Pac Sheet Metal and Motive Companies.
To find out how you can become an Orangewood Ambassador, please visit www.orangewoodfoundation.org/ways-to-give or contact Kendra Puryear, Director of Development, at [email protected]
Established in 1981, Orangewood Foundation is a privately funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves nearly 2,000 foster and community youth each year. The organization is committed to helping young people prepare for independent adulthood, providing a variety of programs and services focused on health and wellness, housing, life skills and employment, and l ‘education.
The mission of the Orangewood Foundation is to strive for equity for its young people by valuing and supporting the life that each individual envisions.
To learn more, please visit www.orangewoodfoundation.org.
