Community / Galas & Events
UPFRONT PLACES | PERSPECTIVES | HAPPENINGS
SADDLEBACK MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION SPRING GALA A flash mob and a special $ 1 million gift announcement highlighted the MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Foundation ’ s Spring gala , which raised a record $ 707,000 on April 20 at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club in nearby Dana Point . The event , attended by nearly 400 supporters dressed to the nines in gowns and tuxedos , also celebrated the medical center ’ s 50th anniversary . To kick off the evening , attendees enjoyed a step-and-repeat Champagne wall , cocktails and hors d ’ oeuvres on the Pacific Lawn followed by a flash mob performance by students from the Orange County School of the Arts as a three-course dinner started in the ballroom . Photo opportunities were available in front of The Wall of Memories , showcasing the medical center ’ s legacy of caring for the community since 1974 . A live auction featured a Los Angeles Angels VIP package , two-night getaway at Montage Los Cabos and more . A Fund-a-Need portion of the evening raised $ 108,000 for the Nursing Education Simulation Lab to help clinician practice procedures and diagnoses on lifelike patient models . The event also included the special announcement of a $ 1 million gift from Jagtinder “ Paul ” and Anju Dang , owners of Orange County MRI , to establish a scholarship and education fund . ( memorialcare . org ) — Sharon Stello
1 . Cocktail hour 2 . Jose Juarez , Jack Jacoub 3 . Gary and Dawn Levine , Sarah Nederlander , Brooks Johnson 4 . Hootan Daneshmand , Mitra Tayareh 5 . Doris and David Law 6 . Jagtinder “ Paul ” and Anju Dang 7 . Matt Kimmel , Christy Ward , Marcia Manker , Kelli Kimmel , Wyatt , Abbey , Hudson
THE DRAKE GIVES The Drake Gives ’ annual charity soiree on June 4 , aimed at supporting local music education programs , exceeded its $ 125,000 fundraising goal at a gathering held at The Drake restaurant . Chef Paul Gstrein curated the multicourse culinary experience including diver scallops with beurre blanc sauce ; ricotta and spinach raviolo ; and entrees of Alaskan halibut or grilled filet mignon . Meanwhile acclaimed singer and songwriter Parson James , who rose into the spotlight with his hit single , “ Stole the Show ,” performed at the event and a live auction featured travel and entertainment experiences . Also during the evening , Alec Glasser , founder of The Drake restaurant and its philanthropic nonprofit , introduced Tim Pham , a recent Anaheim high school graduate who shared a moving story of how music has helped shape and empower him . The Drake Gives awarded Pham a $ 3,000 scholarship , which he will use to continue his education at UCLA . Henry Donahue , executive director of the Save The Music Foundation , also spoke about how The Drake Gives has been instrumental in expanding music education in Orange County ’ s public schools . Proceeds from the event will help support music education in the Anaheim Union High School District . ( thedrakelaguna . com ) — Clara Beard
1 . Brian Belski 2 . James Cueva , Urvashi Patel , Alec Glasser , Linda Young , Lourdes Nark 3 . Paula Steurer , Bart Zandbergen 4 . Polina Chebotareva-Mudrick , Tim Mudrick
TOP SECTION : JOHN RIEDY ; BOTTOM SECTION : FRANK SALAS
24 LAGUNABEACHMAGAZINE . COM