Our 13th annual Foundation for Success luncheon saw several firsts:
Heidi & Ruben Mendoza - 2019 Dan Donahue Leadership award recipients
Thanks to the generosity of our KidWorks supporters, over $860,000 was raised at the event, shattering the previously record of $750,000 raised last year.
That’s not all. For the first time ever, a woman was the keynote speaker: Ann Meyers Drysdale, one of the greatest stars in the history of basketball.
Time magazine recently named her one of the 10 greatest female athletes of all time. In her remarks, Ms. Drysdale said, “In sports and in life, when you face set-backs you have to persevere, one small step at a time towards your goal. That’s what makes the students at KidWorks so remarkable, they keep going regardless of the challenges they face and because of their determination they will become unstoppable.”
Another first was that a couple was honored as recipients of the Dan Donahue Leadership Award: Heidi and Ruben Mendoza. This prestigious award recognizes KidWorks’ most fervent supporters and is named in memory of Dan Donahue who was a longtime friend and supporter of KidWorks.
In 2005 we opened our main community center, the Dan Donahue Center, in honor and memory of him. His friends and family raised over a million dollars to help purchase and renovate the building that first opened in 2005 and for whom the building is named.
KidWorks also expresses deep gratitude to the three generous donors, Steven L. Craig, David A. Pyle and the Donahue family -- who provided a triple monetary match for each purchase of our beloved “Uncle Dan Bear,” named in honor of Dan Donahue.
Members of the KidWorks Advisory Council with Ann Meyers Drysdale. Steve Craig, Ruben Mendoza, Ann Meyers Drysdale, David Pyle, Pat Donahue, and Mike Harrah
The monies raised at the luncheon are already at work providing after school programs that equip nearly 1,100 students in grades preschool through high school (who are also on their way to earning college/university degrees) to excel academically, develop their leadership skills, grow spiritually and explore their artistic talents.
The Foundation for Success event took place on Nov. 7 at the DoubleTree Resort in Santa Ana.
“The 2019 event was record-breaking entirely because of the extraordinary sponsors, partners and volunteers who gave so generously of their time, talent and resources,” says Lisa Gels, KidWorks’ Associate Director of Development. “Every student enrolled in our programs will benefit from the results of such a successful luncheon.”
Among the many highlights of the 2019 luncheon was a presentation by Evelyn Torres, a 17-year-old high school senior who’s been enrolled in our programs since she was in second grade.
“To everyone in this room, thank you for walking me on my path toward college,” she said. “I am excited to be the first in my family to head off to college next year.” Evelyn says KidWorks has helped her discover that “my passion in life is either politics or law.
Also attending the event were member of the KidWorks Alumni Leadership Council, comprised of recent or longer term graduates of our programs. They were able to meet and interact with guests.
Alejandro (Alex) Gutierrez, a senior at Valley High School and our November 2019 “Volunteer of the Month,” was grateful for the opportunity to attend the luncheon.
“I’ve been enrolled in KidWorks program since first grade,” he says. “It was so inspiring to interact with member of the business community. I was able to learn about several industries I hadn’t yet known about. My dream is to participate in a summer internship offered by one of the luncheon sponsors.”
KidWorks appreciates each of the over 450 attendees, along with those who purchased tables and donated auction items. Please also join us in deeply thanking this year’s luncheon sponsors, including:
Presenting Sponsors
American Career College
Balboa Bay Resort
Heidi and Ruben Mendoza
West Coast University
Foundation Sponsors
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Diamond Sponsors
Greg and Stacey Brown Charitable Fund
Caribou Industries/Mike Harrah
Donahue Family
Donahue Schriber
We also thank volunteer teams from Kingston Technology, Orange County’s Credit Union and Pacific Premier Bank, who helped with event set-up. Thanks to our kindergarten student, Iker Reyes, who led attendees in the pledge of allegiance.
Says Lisa Gels, “As KidWorks’ longest-running major annual event, the Foundation for Success Luncheon is truly part of our history and helps provide for the future success of the students and families we’re honored to serve.”
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer
