More than 900 community leaders registered to attend Orange County United Way’s Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast on May 16 at Hotel Irvine with celebrity guest Erin Andrews.

Celebrating its 16th anniversary, the Breakfast raised more than half a million to support initiatives targeting the education, health, housing and income challenges facing women and children in Orange County.

The morning kicked off with a charismatic performance from students of Paul Revere Elementary School – the Anaheim elementary school that houses United Way’s first-ever Impact Hub and that has been supported by the Women’s Philanthropy Fund with an on-campus food pantry, housing and financial empowerment center, classroom technology, critically-needed reading materials, after-school programs, and more.

Students from Paul Revere Elementary School perform an energetic dance routine to kick off the Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast.

Third-grade students Micah and Jazyln starred in a fun newscaster-style video, where they interviewed their peers about how they have been personally impacted by the Women’s Philanthropy Fund’s investment in their school. The video highlighted the positive impact and substantial academic improvements at their school as a result of United Way’s support and funding.

“The Women’s Philanthropy Fund has become one of the most powerful voices of Orange County philanthropy,” Susan B. Parks, president and CEO of Orange County United Way, said. “The annual Breakfast allows us to raise not only critically-needed funds, but also awareness about the gaps that exist in many of our neighborhoods and the families that need our support and resources more than ever.”

Susan B. Parks, Orange County United Way President and CEO, and Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes catch up during the morning program.

Our incredible co-chairs, Shari Battle, Market Manager for Bank of America in Orange County, and Sandra Hutchens, former Sheriff-Coroner of Orange County, led guests through the program, bringing attention to the amazing work the Women’s Philanthropy Fund is doing in the community.

Co-chairs of this year’s breakfast Sandra Hutchens, former Sheriff-Coroner of Orange County, and Shari Battle, Market Manager for Bank of America in Orange County, address the crowd.

Then came time for the highly-anticipated keynote speaker and celebrity guest, Erin Andrews, who inspired the crowd during a special Q&A with Orange County United Way board member and incoming board chair Steve Churm.

Steve Churm, Orange County United Way Board Member and Erin Andrews during the special keynote Q&A.

Andrews spoke about being a role model for young women, her personal journey to success and what lies ahead in her future.

Andrews, a veteran reporter who has become one of the most recognizable and respected female sports broadcasters, currently reports for FOX Sports. She has served as a sideline reporter for the National Football League and Major League Baseball and contributed to other major sporting events, such as the MLB All-Star Game, the World Series, the NFL Playoffs and the Daytona 500.

Andrews currently co-hosts ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars” and appeared on the 10th season of the hit program, partnering with Maksim Chmerkovskiy, where the pair made it to the finals and placed third in the competition.

Erin Andrews smiles with Paul Revere Elementary School students who performed a dance during the Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast.

Over the past 16 years, the Women’s Philanthropy Fund has raised more than $35 million to support various women’s and children’s programs here in Orange County. As the organization’s most important event of the year, the funds raised at the breakfast allow United Way to implement and expand programs with demonstrable impact for underserved populations.

A special thanks to Bank of America for serving as Champion Sponsor of this year’s breakfast.

We extend our thanks and appreciation to our other generous sponsors:

Visionary Sponsor

• Owl Foundation

Investor Sponsors

• Crowell & Moring
• Edison International
• Ernst & Young
• Nordstrom
• Pacific Life
• Max & Artyn Gardner
• Sandra Hutchens, Retired Sheriff of Orange County
• Masson-Shaffer Family Foundation

And our Impactor sponsors.