A personal note... from wine country!

To say my life has changed a lot since November would be quite an understatement. I grew up in sunny warm Orange County, CA. I grew up there, went to college there, fell in love there, started my career there and decided to move away from there. It was one of the most challenging decisions of my life, but I am so happy that I made that step. 

At the beginning of November, my boyfriend and I packed up a moving van and hit the road for a 515 mile move to St. Helena located in the heart of Napa Valley's wine country. I had an amazing job opportunity and Chris had some great leads. Leaving family and friends was incredibly hard. Luckily we moved somewhere that lots of people want to come visit! Not a bad place to live if i do say so myself! 

With love and plenty of wine,

Julia 

Save the Tatas! (also my last event with Orange Coast Memorial)

I have to admit, this was not solely my event. In fact, it was mostly handled by the fabulous marketing team at Orange Coast Memorial. 24 Carrots handled all the details of this fabulously pink event to benefit the Orange Coast Memorial Breast Center. 

Like every event, the devil in the details. While this event was free to attend, guests had the opportunity to buy quilt squares that will be assembled into a quilt to be displayed at the Orange Coast Memorial Breast Center. This project was spear-headed by an inspirational 12 year old who has dealt with the pains of breast cancer. For most of her young life, she has watched her mother struggle with this horrible disease. She has pledged to raise $12,000  in a years time to support Orange Coast Memorial's Breast Center. In addition to selling quilt squares, pink plush robes were available for purchase with the proceeds supporting Orange Coast. 

From the pink drinks to desserts, florals and linens, there was not a single aspect that didn't have a touch of the iconic breast cancer color.  

With love, dedication and hard work we can all help to end this horrible disease and support the woman bravely battling it. 

Gala 2014 a la Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel

The Ritz- Carlton Laguna Niguel has always been known for elegance so I took a very minimalist approach to adding touches. At the end of the day, no matter how much detail or touches you add to an event- especially a gala, it is all about the cause. As a non-profit hospital, Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center relies strongly on the support from our donors to be able to provide the most advanced technology possible to our patients.

I wanted to add a hint of nautical elements without going overboard with the cheesy anchors and sailboats. Simple elements like tying cocktail linens with a thick rope in a square knot and monkey fist rope balls held table numbers. The amazing Paradise Delight did centerpieces for us out of drift wood, succulents and a few votive candles.

As our VIP guests arrived, they were escorted to a private reception where they enjoyed high end wine, cheese and time with our hospital senior leadership. With a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean and Southern California coastline, guests love the intimate setting. 

As the rest of our guests arrived, the VIP attendees joined the silent auction. We utilized the hybrid BidPal for our silent auction. Our silent auction proceeds exceeded goal by nearly $8,000.  

Guests entered the grand ballroom to music playing and salads pre-set. After the CEO welcomed guests, guests hit the dance floor. Planning the timeline for this event is always a challenge sine this group loves to dance. Event getting them off the dance floor to eat dinner is a challenge. 

Orange Coast Memorial Foundation has been very fortunate to have former NFL Quarterback and Super Bowl champion, Vince Ferragamo' support. This year, he donated his time to come and coach a practice for kids or a community league! Guests loved it! In fact he generously donated it twice! 

The most inspiration part of the evening is when as a staff member you can step back and appreciate every donor who steps up and gives a straight donation.

 A quick look at the best part of the dinner... DESSERT! 













Working with non-profits to host events that will benefit the community is such a blessing. To see this event grow over the last 3 years has been incredible. 

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! 

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!