Many of Orange County’s top philanthropists, business leaders and individuals will be honored at the 31st annual National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon on Thursday, November 17, 2016, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the City National Grove of Anaheim.
Produced by the Orange County Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, National Philanthropy Day has become the most prominent philanthropic recognition event in Orange County.
Conceived and organized in the 1980s by Orange County resident Doug Freeman, it was initially celebrated in 1986, when then-President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation officially recognizing Nov. 15, 1986 as National Philanthropy Day.
Since then, thousands of honorees have been recognized across North America. Orange County philanthropists honored have included Donald Bren, Marion Knott, Henry and Susan Samueli, Henry Segerstrom, and General William and Willa Dean Lyon.
Newport Beach resident Sandra Segerstrom Daniels is this year’s 2016 Honorary Chair.
The 2016 National Philanthropy Day Orange County Outstanding Honorees include four from Newport Beach.
Sandra Jackson is being honored as Outstanding Philanthropist. Jackson’s heart for philanthropy is a lifetime endeavor. Her latest effort involves the newly-opened Charter School, the Samueli Academy, for which she was Steering Committee co-chair and currently serves as Board of Trustees Chair.
Laura Davick of Crystal Cove Alliance is being honored as Outstanding Founder. Founding Crystal Cove Alliance (CAA) in 1999, Davick’s leadership has been instrumental in CAA overseeing the management of the cottage rentals in the Historic District. She remains focused on restoring the final 17 cottages and providing a leadership role in fundraising and innovative educational programming and conservation.
Pacific Life is being honored as Outstanding Large Corporation or Business (500+ employees). Pacific Life strives to improve its communities and environment through philanthropy and volunteerism. In 2015, the company’s Good Guys volunteer teams completed 156 projects, benefiting 95 nonprofits for a total of 10,200 hours.
Vanis Buckholz of Corona del Mar is being honored as Outstanding Youth. Seven years old when he started recycling, 14-year-old Vanis Buckholz established “My Recycler,” with 75,000 lbs. recycled to date, and two families moved out of homelessness, thanks to Buckholz’s support of Project Hope Alliance.
Other honorees: Elizabeth and Thomas Tierney, Legacy Award; Future Leaders of Our Community, Outstanding Philanthropic Group; Nancy and Irving Chase, Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser; The Bascom Group, LLC, Outstanding Small Corporation or Business; Fluidmaster, Inc., Outstanding Mid-Size Corporation or Business.
For further information on the event, including tickets and sponsorships, visit npdoc.org.
