2023

Leona and her husband Jack moved to Orange County in 1998, with her husband passing away after 40 years of marriage soon after they arrived. In 2002, her life began again with husband Joe Sadacca, and in 2007, she retired from Gate City Beverage Company as President/CEO, as well as an insurance company, leasing company, non-alcoholic beverage company and a trucking company. Her philanthropic life began at an early age and includes, among many organizations, Hebrew Union College, Think Together, American Heart Assoc., the Leona Aronoff Rabbinic Mentoring Program, Temple Bat Yahm, Pacific Symphony, South Coast Repertory, and the Jewish Federation of OC. Awards include Outstanding Young Women in America 1960, Who’s Who in America 1981, the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Shirley N. Pettis Award, 2012, the National Beer Wholesalers Association Lifetime Achievement Award 2006, and the Jewish Club of 1933 Philanthropic and Heritage Award 2011.

“I believe in ‘Takum Olam,’ which means that it is our responsibility to make the world a better place, since we stand on the shoulders of others before us. I felt the best avenue is through giving to children’s causes in each of the organization’s I belong. Children are our future!” – Leona Aronoff-Sadacca

Tarsadia Foundation is a family foundation working to unleash human potential across the globe alongside a network of 100+ impact partners who are driving meaningful change and catalyzing systemic progress across four core impact pillars: Inclusive Mobility, Crises & Threats, Human Transformation, and India Upliftment. The foundation was founded by BU and Puspha Patel, immigrant entrepreneurs from rural India, who arrived in California the 1970s and got their start in the hotel industry. Over the years, the family diversified their investments and in 2009, the Patels established the Tarsadia Foundation to give back to the communities they came from – from India to Southern California. With offices in Newport Beach, Tarsadia Foundation has been an active member of the Orange County community for 45 years. The foundation’s impact partners include Big Brothers Big Sisters, CASA, United Way, CSUF, and Groundswell. The foundation is run by multiple generations of Tarsadia family members: Maya Patel (CEO), Shivani Tarsadia (Impact Manager), and board members, BU, Mike and Tushar Patel.

“When we arrived in Southern California in 1976, our family had no idea what this new home would bring. We dreamed of economic and social opportunity that would lift our family up so we could lift up the communities from the places we call home. Thanks to the generosity and kindnesses of our neighbors, friends and business partners, we have been able to do just that.” – BU Patel, Founder/Tarsadia Family Foundation

Brothers Ed and Mingo Lee and Wing Lam co-founded Wahoo’s Fish Tacos in 1988, and it has become one of the most iconic fast-casual restaurant brands in the Southern California and beyond. Totally committed to giving back to the community, the brothers give individually and through the Wahoos Family Foundation. The roots of their giving lie in gratitude – a gratitude for the chance to make a meaningful impact in the community that has embraced them. Among the many nonprofits they support are the Thomas House Shelter in Garden Grove, Doctors Without Borders, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Someone Cares Soup Kitchen, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, African Wildlife Foundation, Best Friends Animal Society, Newport Harbor Baseball, St. Jude’s Research Foundation, and the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation.

“At the heart of our mission is the belief that sharing embodies true caring, and giving back is not just a choice but a responsibility we all bear. Our focus on supporting children, hunger, and those with special needs reflects our commitment to building a better, more inclusive world. Guided by the lessons our parents imparted, we’re dedicated to standing by our communities, families, and friends, fostering a cycle of support and kindness.”– Ed and Mingo Lee and Wing Lam, co-founders of Wahoo’s Fish Tacos

NHL All-Star and 2007 Stanley Cup Champion Ryan Getzlaf and his wife Paige have been incredibly generous to community nonprofits. They sponsored the first Getzlaf Golf Shootout in 2011, which has raised more than $5.3 million to fund early-stage research and advance a cure for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. While with the Ducks, Ryan shared the Anaheim Ducks Foundation mission of broadening access to the sport of hockey by supporting the Anaheim Ducks Learn to Play program, which offers first-time hockey players the chance to get on the rink in full hockey equipment for free. To date, 18,000 kids have participated in the Learn to Play program, while Ryan and the Anaheim Ducks Foundation have helped provide 9,500 kids with full sets of hockey equipment. Paige has played an important role in raising funds for Children’s Hospital of Orange County’s (CHOC) vital programs and services for children.

“We believe that all children deserve the chance to grow up and live long, strong lives. We have the opportunity to make a difference and are blessed to be able to give back to organizations that are changing kids’ lives.” – Ryan & Paige Getzlaf

Orange County Grantmakers is the regional philanthropic serving organizations for Orange County. A fiscally-sponsored project of charitable ventures, OCG was established in 2006 by a committed group of local funders who saw the need for collaboration and alignment within the philanthropic sector. Initially serving as a peer-networking group, OCG has grown to now support more than 70+ meetings and programs annually. It is, at its core, a convener – bringing together nonprofits and philanthropic leaders around the issues, and believes they can leverage and align philanthropic efforts to have a greater impact on the community. They provide a space for funders to learn about the issues impacting Orange County and to take action together. They work to elevate and empower, uplift and advocate in partnership with the people, organizations and causes serving the Orange County community.

“Orange County Grantmakers advances equity by creating strategic alignment and cultivating transformational relationships and leadership among Orange County philanthropists and nonprofits.” – Taryn Palumbo, Executive Director/Orange County Grantmakers

My Private Professor, LLX+C (MPP) is an impact-driven, educational services company that partners with individual and institutional clients to provide a critical academic resource to thousands of students across the country and gives back with every hour to provide free tutoring to students experiencing homelessness. MPP has partnered with Illumination Foundation, SAHARA and the Boys and Girls Clubs to provide free weekly tutoring to students in underserved communities, including those residing in emergency shelters. Additionally, MPP is a longtime supporter of initiatives benefiting students and teachers at Tustin Public Schools Foundation and the Orangewood Foundation’s Samueli Academy through free tutoring, classes, workshops, and grants for teachers. By providing access to the academic support that all students need to succeed, MPP aims to inspire and empower others to achieve their greatest potential and lead tomorrow’s world.

“Education is a game-changer that provides opportunity for individuals and uplifts families, and we at My Private Professor are grateful to do what we can to ensure that all students – especially those in underserved communities – get access to the academic resources they need to succeed in school and beyond – Sona Shah, CEO/Founder of My Private Professor LLC

Casanova//McCann is a female and minority-owned Advertising Agency specializing in the US Hispanic market. Headquartered in Costa Mesa, the agency was founded in Orange County almost 40 years ago and today is one of the leading Latino ad agencies in the country. Casanova employs 70+ people in Costa Mesa, Detroit, and New York and works with clients such as Activision Blizzard, Nestle USA, Chevrolet, U.S. Postal Service, Pernod Ricard, U.S. Bank, The Wine Group, and several others. Casanova also does pro-bono work for nonprofit organizations such as Donate Life CA, OC LGBTQ Center, Brady Organization, Angel Flight West, and Oasis International. The agency’s work has been recognized with numerous creative awards and in 2019-2020, was the 38th most awarded agency in the world.

“We deeply believe that to whom much is given, much is required, and we live by those words. We are privileged to share our resources, talent and money to help better lives. One of the pillars of our Agency’s mission is to care for our people and our community. Giving is a manifestation of that mission.” – Ingrid Smart, President/CEO, Casanova//McCann