Thursday, July 24

A summer of donor appreciation

This summer has been quite hectic around the office with adding various naming opportunities around the hospital. With each new naming comes a dedication event. Our donors and their guests have thoroughly enjoyed getting the know the hospital and our areas of excellence through these events and we are honored to get to know these amazing philanthropists!

I never have enough photos from these events since I always end up playing double duty- event planner and photographer! 

The first event this summer was a dedication of our hybrid suite in our Cardiovascular suite. Some of our most generous donors, Al and Denise Frink have named our Cardiovascular Operating Room (CVOR) in honor of a brave young woman, Annie Capaldi. As an athletic fifteen year old, Annie had to undergo open heart surgery. Today, at 20 years old, she is an active, healthy college student (and a member of the best sorority- Delta Delta Delta!- not that I'm biased!).     

     Our guests were able to not only to tour the hybrid suite but also get to know the incredible technology we have. We also had a few patients in attendance who's lives were saved by this technology.  
Al and Denise Frink with Annie Capaldi





The dedication took place in Annie's Suite. After that, our guests were escorted to our cafe patio where they were able to spend time together and celebrate the generosity of our donors. 














Because everyone loves a candy bar! 

I always like to make sure guests leave with a little something. 

We used dark chocolate so that our physicians wouldn't get mad at us! 



Al and Densie are big fans of wine, my kind of people! We purchased a magnum bottle of wine and asked all of our guests to sign the bottle that we gave to Al and Denise at the end of the evening. 






 The next month we hosted another dedication event! 

Vince and Jodi Ferragamo (you might know Vince from the NFL- lets go Rams!) have been supports of Orange Coast Memorial for years and we are so fortunate to have them as part of our family. Years ago, Jodi began hosting an event "Fight with Grace" to support our breast center. Over the years, this luncheon has grown exponentially.  We were honored to be able to recognize them in this way. 





A little DIY bunting goes a long way! Given that this event was a dedication for the MemorialCare Breast Center at Orange Coast Memorial, it only made sense to add some pink to the event! Including Mumm Napa Rose Sparkling wine!  



As a thank you to the Ferragamos, we had all of the guests sign a frame that we can add a photo to and present to them at a later point. Its the little personal touches that help our donors to feel like part of the family, not just a donor, and we truly are a family. 








Jodi has said it a million times, she cannot do what she does without her support system and we were thrilled to have many of her team of loyal friends and volunteers at this event. Many of these women have been by her side since the first event she hosted. 

Without them, we would not be celebrating the Ferragamo Foundation and their cumulative gifts of over $300,000! Their gifts have truly made an impact to our patents, our community and our hospital. 

In addition to the Ferragamos, we also recognized the support of one of the sweetest 11 year olds I have ever met. Since the age of 5, he mom has been battle cancer and has undergone treatments at Orange Coast Memorial. She was recently crowned Jr. Miss Southern California. She has selected the Orange Coast Memorial Foundation (specifically our oncology services) as her platform. She has set a lofty goal of $12,000 for the year!  Click here to check out ways to support her! Hearing her talk about her mom and the strength that she posses is truly inspiring! 


Wednesday, May 7

Cinco de Mayo- GOLF!

Who doesn't love margaritas, chips and salsa, playing golf AND the chance to win a Tesla?? 

Orange Coast Memorial Foundation hosted their 14th Annual Golf Classic at Mesa Verde Country Club on Cinco de Mayo!

There was no question about the theme of this event. All proceeds from this event are going to help Orange Coast Memorial expand the current emergency facility to accommodate more patients in a better environment. 




As guests arrived they were greeted with an over sized banner that featured the event logo and all of our top donors for this event. 



After guests dropped off their bags, they registered, had the opportunity to buy players packages that included mulligans, entrance into the putting contest and use of the pro on the course. After they registered they received a swag bag, got to pick out a pair of Oakley sunglasses, get a massage or test drive a Tesla! In addition, the driving range was open for players to warm up.











                   This event was a shotgun start
where guests played best ball. In addition
to the game of golf its self, guests
enjoyed margaritas, beer from
The Bruery, Hanger 24 and Lagunitas,
wine, bites from Stonefire Grill and the chance to win a Tesla!


















We were so thrilled to have the support of our Senior Leadership for this event. Our CEO, 
COO and VP of Strategy and Development took
 to the course in a golf cart delivering extra snacks and goodies to our players. This allowed our leadership to get a day our of the office and
 get face time with our donors! 





On hole three our guests got to swing with the chance of 
winning a Tesla! After test driving these cars in the morning, guests took to the greens to try to win one! 

Unfortunately, nobody drove 
away after winning one of 
these beauties, this time! 




After guests finished their day on the greens, they were asked to join us for appetizers, drinks and a silent auction! From Tesla swag and a test drive for three hours, to local beer and a Tiffany bowl our guests had a great time relaxing before dinner started! 























The cocktail hour is also when guests turned in their score cards to determine our winners! This year we also offered a dinner only ticket which allowed for those guests to enjoy the auction and cocktails too! 


When guests entered the dinning room, they could take a look and play around with a set up of what the new emergency rooms will possibly looks like. (Side note: I LOVE this room- its on the second floor of the club and over looks the 18th hole. Simply beautiful!)    


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  A little bit of crating is always necessary! Live auction flyers were placed at everyone's seats. NDM Communications printed them, then I added a bit of flare! I used 3 layers of tissue paper to create a fringe flare at the bottom of the flyers. Just the flare that they needed!  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    As guests got settled, they were welcome to grab food (Mexican flare- of course!) from the buffet. Once everyone had their food, the program for the evening began. Guests got to hear a compelling story from a former patient who had a stroke on a golf course and was taken to Orange Coast Memorial's Emergency Department. They also heard from our Chief of Emergency medicine about the need who also became our auctioneer for the evening! He led the guests in a thrilling live auction and fund-a-need.  We are so fortunate to have amazing guests and staff that are always willing to join in the adventures of Orange Coast Memorial's events!   

Thank you to everyone who helped us to raise more than $81,000 to help fun our Emergency Pavilion! 





Sunday, December 29

An Evening in Hollywood



On September 28, 2013 in Newport Beach, California the Orange Coast Memorial Foundation hosted their annual Fall Gala at the Island Hotel.

This event was host to nearly 350 guests who enjoyed a silent auction, live auction, live entertainment and fine dining.

Before the festivities began, some of the most loyal donors enjoyed a VIP reception with 100 guests. During this reception, wine, champagne and an array of cheeses were served.  
As the reception came to a close, guests were greeted by some of the talented students from the Orange County School of the Arts.
Marilyn Monroe, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire
 
Marilyn Monroe, Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball

As the rest of the guests arrived they were greeted with signature drinks (Champagne cocktails and whiskey sours).  At check in guests were given an escort card (to theme of course!) 
These were a DYI project that I completed using grommets,
black and white striped paper and business size cards
printed by the always fabulous NDM Communications.


When guests entered into the silent auction area they saw something most of them had never experienced- digital bidding! For this event we opted for a company called BidTec, they utilize iPads placed around the room for guests to bid on auction items, look over the program, take photos and more.








Guests enjoyed live performances from Stellar Band during the silent auction while mingling with the student performers from OCSA.


Once guests entered the ballroom they were greeted by students from OCSA to help them find their seats before the festivities began.

Guests entered the room to salads preset on their tables and BidTec IPads placed on the tables for them to continue bidding on silent auction items.




















There are few things that make me happier as an event planner than seeing a table fully set and ready for guests, but the best part is hearing guests talk about how much they loved the setting. At the end of the night, guests we taking everything from the centerpieces to the table numbers I created.

As the evening progressed, guests were entertained with live performances, live auction, award presentations, 3 course meal and dancing! 











I want to thank all of my amazing vendors, volunteers, team and guests for making this an amazing event!