ANAHEIM — A tear-jerking moment never fails to take place during the annual National Philanthropy Day gathering to honor those who have given their time, money and passion in support of local causes that reverberate around Orange County and beyond.
This year, in front of a lunchtime audience of 800 people at City National Grove of Anaheim on Thursday, Nov. 16, Illumination Foundation co-founder Paul Leon couldn’t help but choke up several times as he spoke of the work his organization does on behalf of homeless people.
The day happened to mark the 10th anniversary of Illumination Foundation, which provides recuperative health care and other services. Leon, a public health nurse who once worked for the county, and Paul Cho, who achieved financial success as an investment banker, were honored with the National Philanthropy Day award for Outstanding Founders.