Girl Scouts package holiday joy for youth at Huntington Beach shelter
Girl Scouts of Orange County Troop 7370 spearheaded Operation Waymakers this past holiday season. Fifty girls gathered to create gift boxes to brighten the holidays of children at the Huntington Beach Youth Shelter. The project benefits youths ages 11-17 who are being assisted and sheltered by the nonprofit Waymakers OC.
The Girl Scouts packaged 100 gift boxes with goodies, including craft kits, markers and pens, socks, hygiene essentials and more. This was the third year in a row that the girls in Troop 7370 made a difference in their community.
– Submitted by Girl Scouts of Orange County
Harvesters 32nd Fashion Show and Luncheon raises $1.6 million for food bank
The Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall became a focal point of philanthropy as the Harvesters hosted the 32nd Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon, raising nearly $1.6 million for Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.
The exclusive event, meticulously orchestrated by the dedicated group of women committed to raising funds and awareness for Second Harvest, welcomed around 340 guests, each playing a crucial role in supporting the food bank’s mission to provide dignified, equitable and consistent access to nutritious food in collaboration with its partners.
“For 32 years, Harvesters has stood by Second Harvest Food Bank in its mission to provide nutritious food to families and children in need in Orange County,” said Jassel Kaye, Harvesters chair. “We are grateful for the extraordinary generosity of our underwriters and donors. Each year, every single dollar raised during the Harvesters’ Fashion Show and Luncheon goes directly to Second Harvest Food Bank, ensuring hungry neighbors across Orange County are fed and nourished.”
Claudia Bonilla Keller, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, said: “Orange County is facing a hidden hunger crisis, with 1 in 10 residents experiencing food insecurity – a rate rising faster than the state average.
“We’re incredibly grateful for Harvesters’ unwavering support. This Fashion Show and Luncheon will make an enormous difference in the lives of the approximately 442,000 residents we serve monthly. Harvesters’ dedication is truly helping us not only meet the need, but to also anticipate what is to come.”
In addition to the event’s main fundraising efforts, attendees were encouraged to support an important community initiative: funding a new tractor for Harvest Solutions Farm, a key partnership of Second Harvest Food Bank, Solutions for Urban Agriculture and the University of California South Coast Research & Extension Center.
The tractor will enhance the 40-acre farm’s ability to provide fresh produce to about 442,000 people each month, including children, working families and seniors.
Harvest Solutions Farm has harvested 5.8 million pounds of nutritious food since its launch in 2021, and the new tractor will increase efficiency, helping to ensure continued access to healthy food for Orange County’s most vulnerable residents.
– Submitted by Harvesters
Newport Beach assisted living employee honored as outstanding caregiver
The California Assisted Living Association (CALA) recognized Patricia “Patti” Amaya, resident medication assistant at Atria Newport Plaza, with the Outstanding Caregiver Award.
Her dedication to compassionate care has profoundly affected residents and staff, making her an invaluable member of the Atria Newport Plaza community for more than a decade.
Amaya’s journey has not been without hardship. In 2020, she experienced the devastating loss of her husband to COVID-19. Despite this personal tragedy, she continued to care for her residents, demonstrating remarkable strength and resilience. As sole caretaker for her family, she has shown a deep commitment to her role, radiating positivity and inspiring her peers with her selfless actions.
Amaya’s compassion extends beyond her professional duties. Her quiet acts of kindness, such as holding residents’ hands during their final moments, have touched the lives of many. Her attention to detail, like recognizing and addressing a resident’s pain when others might have overlooked it, exemplifies her holistic approach to caregiving.
In addition to her caregiving duties, Amaya serves as a mentor to new caregivers, encouraging their growth and shaping confident, capable professionals. Her influence within the community is undeniable, as she consistently steps up to take on additional responsibilities and supports her colleagues with enthusiasm and care.
– Submitted by California Assisted Living Association
O.C. Supervisor Doug Chaffee announces Fourth District Kindness Award honorees
Doug Chaffee, Orange County Fourth District supervisor, recently announced the sixth annual Fourth District Kindness Awards honorees. Following former Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait’s initiative to encourage acts of kindness in his city, Chaffee recognizes Kindness Award honorees from each city in the Fourth District who have made significant contributions to their communities through kindness.
“It is especially important for us to acknowledge kindness wherever we can find it and inspire others to perform their own acts of kindness in the community,” Chaffee said.
The honorees for the 6th annual Fourth District Kindness Awards are:
City of Anaheim: Nicou Azaran. Azaran is an independent living skills and outreach instructor at the Braille Institute in Anaheim. She goes above and beyond to provide individualized attention to each student and advocate for better services for them in the community. Azaran organizes and conducts free workshops, offering valuable support to visually impaired individuals and their families.
City of Brea: Zelda Makanaaloha Preston. Makanaaloha Preston is a freshman at Fullerton Union High School. She is an active volunteer at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fullerton. Since age 7, Zelda has used each birthday to perform an act of kindness, through donations of clothes, shoes, toys and other necessities to local nonprofits. This past birthday, she collected 291 pounds of food for the Hub of Hope food pantry.
City of Buena Park: Sam Yoon. Yoon’s journey began with a background in music, studying pipe organ and choral conducting in Korea and the United States. In 2021, he founded Seesaw Communities to support adults with developmental disabilities. Seesaw Communities provides vocational training, helping participants find their unique voices and abilities. Under his leadership, the organization has become a leader in providing integrated employment opportunities and fostering more inclusive workplaces.
City of Fullerton: Dylan Wang. Dylan is a Troy High School senior who combines his passion for technology with community services. During his free time on weekends and in summers, Dylan volunteers at Happy Adult Daycare and spends time with seniors. This experience has taught him the unique challenges seniors face and inspired him to fix them with technology. Dylan developed an iPad application that uses augmented reality (AR) technology to assist seniors in translating English to their native language. He also designed a nighttime medical monitoring device that alerts family members on loved ones’ health status.
City of La Habra: Virginia Wyckoff. Wyckoff started her career as a teacher’s aide with the La Habra School District. When she retired, she began volunteering at the Children’s Museum at La Habra. After her grandson’s passing, she created a wishing well at the museum in his memories; all funds from the well are used to help local schools visit the museum. Wyckoff never misses an opportunity to volunteer and help the museum grow.
City of Placentia: Alice Shiozawa. Shiozawa has been a Rotary Club of Placentia member since 2015 and is serving her second term as president of Placentia Rotary. Her involvement with Rotary has kept her active and expanded her awareness of issues facing the community. Through the Rotary, Shiozawa has been involved in neighborhood cleanups, organized the “stuffing” of and distribution of school backpacks, prepared hygiene kits and holiday gift packs, and other important community projects. She believes the little things count and are the most meaningful to those in need.
City of Stanton: Tony and Bivianne Munguia. Tony and Bivianne Munguia, a father and daughter duo, are both students at Cypress College. On their way to an event, they noticed smoke coming from a nearby house. Stopping to offer assistance, Tony went into the house to see if the resident was home, while his daughter called 9-1-1. With the help of another individual, Tony was able to help the resident exit the inflamed house. Due to their quick thinking, they helped save the life of the resident and stop further damage to the house.
Chaffee also awarded Mike Oates, former Fullerton Rotary president, with the Honorary Kindness Award. Oates is a pillar of the Fullerton community, known for his years of service and commitment to local organizations. He has deep ties in helping youths as a former Boys and Girls Club volunteer and coach at Golden Hill Little League. He continued his service as president of Fullerton Rotary Club and the Fullerton’s Sister City Association. Oates’ commitment is also shown through his numerous volunteer hours to Crittenton Services as a board member and through his fundraising efforts. His energy and passion for service have been unwavering, leaving a lasting impact on those he has served.
– Submitted by Doug Chaffee
TongueOut and MemorialCare team provide medical services to villagers in Vietnam
TongueOut, a nonprofit organization founded by Dr. Dung Trinh, a primary care physician with Greater Newport Physicians MemorialCare, completed a humanitarian mission across Vietnam, bringing essential health care, supplies and hope to some of the country’s most vulnerable communities.
This year’s mission was marked by a series of impactful efforts, from sponsoring life-changing surgeries to providing clean water for entire villages.
Trinh’s remarkable story began when he and his younger siblings were airlifted from Saigon hours before its fall, arriving in Santa Ana with nothing but hope for a new life. Growing up as a refugee, Trinh learned the value of hard work and service. While in college, he joined the U.S. Marines and earned an honorable discharge before attending medical school.
“I know what it means to struggle and be given a second chance at life,” Trinh said. “This mission is my way of giving back and offering hope to those who need it most – just as I was offered hope many years ago.”
This year’s mission kicked off in Ho Chi Minh City, where the TongueOut team visited a leprosy colony and sponsored 100 eye surgeries. Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the skin, nerves and respiratory tract, leading to disfigurement and disability if left untreated. It has long carried a stigma, with those affected often isolated from society.
Providing eye surgeries to blind patients with advanced cataracts wasn’t just about restoring sight – it was about restoring dignity and hope to people who had long been forgotten.
Next, in Hue, the team held a medical clinic, distributed food and visited an orphanage caring for children with Down syndrome. One of the most significant stops was in the Tam Ky Highlands, where the team donated solar panels and batteries to a school. The team also gave backpacks, toys and cookies to children who walk hours barefoot just to attend class.
In the highlands of Tam Ky, the team also raised funds for a water well that will serve more than 100 families. This community, home to 300 children and 100 families, had long relied on nearby unsanitary water sources. With the new well, these families will finally have access to clean water.
The mission ended in Da Nang, where the team visited an orphanage caring for babies as young as 1 month old.
– Submitted by MemorialCare Medical Group
UC Irvine Chamber Singers place second in the American Prize
The UC Irvine Chamber Singers, directed by Dr. Irene Messoloras, professor in the Department of Music, have earned second place in the 2024 American Prize in Choral Performance—college/university division (smaller program).
The award, presented by the American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts, celebrates performing ensembles across the country and highlights UC Irvine’s excellence in choral performance.
The UC Irvine Chamber Singers are the flagship choral ensemble of the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, comprising 42 auditioned vocalists, including music majors and singers across diverse disciplines. Known for concert performances at the Walt Disney Concert Hall and collaborations with UC Irvine’s Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art, the ensemble recently completed a tour of Ireland and was set to release its first commercial recording with Signum Records in November.
— Submitted by Maria Wroblewska
The Bravo! section highlights achievements of our residents and groups. Send news of achievements for consideration to ocrbravo@gmail.com.
