- 524 attendees came together to assemble 6,136 hygiene kits in one hour, setting a new world record
- Event raised more than $600,000 – the most raised in the history of the event – to support the advancement of families and children in Orange County
Irvine, CA (May 21, 2024) – Orange County United Way celebrated the 21st anniversary of the annual Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast on May 16 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, raising more than $600,000, a record-breaking total, making this year’s Breakfast the most successful yet! These vital funds will help address critical issues in Orange County.
More than 650 community leaders attended the event to learn more about how Orange County United Way supports the community through its Women’s Philanthropy Fund and also played a role in setting a new community-impact GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title – with 524 people assembling 6,136 hygiene kits with items to improve health and give a sense of well-being to local Orange County families and individuals in need.
“This was certainly a remarkable, fun and memorable year for the Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast, and not just because we broke a world record!” said Susan B. Parks, President and CEO of Orange County United Way. “As we continue to celebrate 100 years of impact this year, I’m more inspired and encouraged than ever at what we can achieve over the next 100 years. This community is spirited and generous, and Orange County is better because of all those who are eager to do good, help our most vulnerable residents and make a difference for generations to come. It’s certainly true that when our community thrives, we all thrive.”
Since the Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast’s inception in 2003, millions of dollars have been raised to provide life-changing grants to support women and children affected by poverty, domestic violence, job loss, and other urgent challenges. The funds have also been invested in two Title I elementary schools including Paul Revere Elementary in Anaheim and R.H. Dana Elementary in Dana Point to create family financial wellness centers, offer student enrichment programs, mobile food pantries and more. The Women’s Philanthropy Fund is also exploring human trafficking as an area of focus.
Maggie O’Sullivan, Executive Director of JPMorgan Chase, and Women United Co-Chair, and Haunani Nakabara, Director of Tax Operations PMO for Intuitive Surgical, and Women United Co-Chair, served as this year’s Breakfast Co-Chairs.
BMO served as the Breakfast’s Champion Sponsor. Orange County United Way also acknowledges its “Journey to 100” year-long supporters, Eaton, Pacific Life Foundation, Niagara Cares, and 84VIKINGS4GOOD.
International speaker, high-performance leadership coach, philanthropist and longtime Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast attendee and supporter, Scharrell Jackson, spoke to the audience about the power of giving back as well as how to be a catalyst for change in the community. She said, “There were times when I felt hopeless as a single mom raising three kids. It was because of individuals who grabbed me by the hand and ushered me to the finish line that I can stand before you and let you know that your contributions matter. The work that we’re doing here with United Way is changing lives.”
Additional sponsors of the Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast included:
Champion Sponsor
- BMO
Visionary Sponsors
- Edwards Lifesciences Foundation
- The Masson Family Foundation
- Seaview Investors, LLC
- US Bank
Investor Sponsors
- Artyn and Max Gardner and Susan Stoneburner
- Disneyland Resort
- Dorsey & Whitney
- Dubchansky Family Foundation
- Ducommun
- Eaton Aerospace
- Edison International
- EY
- Orange County Department of Education
- The Owl Foundation
- Pacific Life Foundation
- Samueli Foundation
- Scharrell Jackson
- Steve & Shirley Quackenbush
- UCI Health
- Victoria & David Collins
To learn more about the Women’s Philanthropy Fund and Orange County United Way, visit www.UnitedWayOC.org or contact Gaby Mulder at [email protected].
ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY UNITED WAY
Orange County United Way is committed to breaking barriers and improving lives for everyone who lives here. Through our key initiatives—United for Student Success℠, United for Financial Security℠, and United to End Homelessness℠—we are working to ensure local students succeed, families gain financial security, and our unhoused neighbors find a place to call home. We also offer vital support via 2-1-1 Orange County (211OC), a key service that connects thousands of our most vulnerable residents with health and human service resources. We are committed to caring for one another. That’s #TheOCWay.
This year, Orange County United Way celebrates 100 years of purpose and impact in Orange County. To learn more or discover how you can help, visit UnitedWayOC.org.
Orange County United Way is a standalone, independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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Media Contact: Annie Noebel, [email protected], (949) 449-2527
