National Philanthropy Day 2018: Meet this year’s Orange County honorees

National Philanthropy Day Orange County is recognizing the following 2018 honorees for their community contributions:

Legacy Award

Ueberroth Family Foundation, Corona del Mar

Founded in 1984, the Peter and Ginny Ueberroth Family Foundation has partnered with more than 70 local nonprofits and invested more than $40 million in efforts supporting at-risk youth, education, health and human services, and other philanthropic efforts. Ginny Ueberroth and their daughter Vicki Booth, foundation president, also sit on the boards of Orange County Community Foundation, Hoag Hospital and Sage Hill School.

“It is a privilege to help provide opportunities to others who are working toward an improved future for themselves and their families.”

— Vicki Booth, on behalf of herself and her parents

Outstanding Philanthropists

Charles (Charlie) and Ling Zhang

There’s more than popular food and successful real estate investments to the legacy of Charlie Zhang, founder of the Pick Up Stix Chinese restaurant chain, and Ling Zhang, who was chief financial officer of Pick Up Stix when they met. The couple have long supported charitable causes in Orange County, with particular emphasis on the arts through contributions to Pacific Symphony and Bowers Museum and the establishment of the nonprofit Orange County Music & Dance performing arts school.

“We came to America with nothing but hopes and dreams, and this country opened its arms and gave us opportunity. Now, it’s our turn to help others realize their hopes and dreams.”

— Charles and Ling Zhang

Outstanding  Philanthropic Group

Orange County Bar Association Charitable Fund

Grants from the Orange County Bar Association Charitable Fund have benefited such efforts as the Veterans Legal Institute, helping to provide legal services to military veterans. More than $1.2 million in grants over the past decade have increased public access to legal services and advocacy on behalf of homeless people, youth in foster care, low-income residents and victims of domestic violence. Other efforts have focused on promoting diversity in the legal field, services to the immigrant community, and child abuse prevention.

“The OCBA Charitable Fund proudly supports an array of legal-related charities, from shelters for abused women and children, to assisting veterans and under-privileged youth. We are incredibly honored to have this work recognized in such a meaningful way on National Philanthropy Day.”

— Michael Baroni, 2018 president

Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser

Joe Hanauer

Joe Hanauer has carved out a successful career as principal of Combined Investments, LLC, directing the company’s investments in real estate and related businesses. Outside of work, Hanauer has offered his leadership, fundraising and planning skills to benefit nonprofits dear to his heart: Laguna Playhouse, Laguna Beach Live!, Mission Hospital, IHC Global, Roosevelt University, and the Reaume Foundation

“Being fortunate enough to be able to financially support some of our charitable organizations is obviously a gift.  Add to this, the opportunity to actively play a part in enabling our Laguna Playhouse to better achieve its potential, and you have a wonderfully gratifying experience.”

— Joe Hanauer

Outstanding Founder

Michelle Wulfestieg, Southern California Hospice Foundation

Michelle Wulfestieg survived two strokes. She almost lost her life at the age of 11. Wulfestieg went on to establish the Southern California Hospice Foundation, which provides support to terminally ill patients. The foundation’s outreach has included buying groceries, paying overdue bills, and granting special wishes, like last year’s dying wish wedding for an Anaheim woman with congestive heart failure.

“My journey toward generosity began when I was given a life-limiting prognosis as a child. Since then, I have devoted my life to serving the dying.”

— Michelle Wulfestieg

Outstanding Corporation or Business, Small (1-50 employees)

Shulman Hodges & Bastian LLP

Founders and members of the Irvine-based business law firm have helped support nonprofits in a variety of ways: volunteerism, pro bono legal services, and serving on boards of directors and committees at such organizations as Mission Hospital Foundation, Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women luncheon.

“Helping people solve problems is really who we are as a law firm, so community service and philanthropy are a natural extension of the commitment we show our clients. In a sense, the more we help people, the more people we can help.”

— Jim Bastian, on behalf of himself and law partners Len Shulman and Ron Hodges

Outstanding Corporation or Business, Mid-Size (51-499 employees)

Service Champions Heating & Air Conditioning

Family owned and operated, Service Champions instills and supports community service in its workforce of more than 200 employees through its Good Deeds for Free program and other charitable giving. Projects have included helping military veterans furnish their homes, providing dinners to needy families during the holidays, and serving as sponsors for the Autism Speaks Orange County walk, the Adopt-A- Wish program of Make-A-Wish Orange County, and other community events.

“At Service Champions, it is not only about taking care of our customers; it’s also about taking care of and giving back to our community.”

— Leland Smith, founder

Outstanding Corporation or Business, Large (500+ employees)

Bank of America

Early this year, Bank of America landed at No. 2 on Fortune magazine’s 2018 list of 50 Best Workplaces for Giving Back. The company had awarded $1.2 million in grants to local nonprofit organizations in 2017. But its charitable giving is about more than money. Bank of America  also made available two weeks of paid time off to any of its 4,800 employees who wanted to engage in volunteer activities. Its Neighborhood Builder program supports nonprofit leaders and its Student Leader program does the same to nurture future leaders.

“We work with local nonprofits to bring economic stability to individuals and communities based on a model of shared success, which means we are not successful until our communities are successful.”

— Allen Staff, Orange County market president for Bank of America

Outstanding Youth

Lauren Best

As part of her Girl Scout Gold Award project, Lauren Best created a curriculum at Sonora High in La Habra to help students with special needs socialize with others on campus. She worked with special needs teachers and trained more than 100 of her peers to be mentors. She started a special needs Girl Scouts troop. Best also organized a dance for the special needs kids at her school and at Troy High in Fullerton.

“I have been given so much. I feel it is my responsibility to give back to others. I may be young, but with courage, confidence and character, I can make a difference in my community.”

— Lauren Best