HomeAid Orange County's Rainbow of Hope Ball
Breaks Previous Records
| NEWPORT BEACH, CA (June 10, 2004) |
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HomeAid Orange County recently honored the building industry and its associates for their contributions in support of Orange County's homeless men, women and children. Attended by 400 distinguished building industry and community notables, the sixth annual Rainbow of Hope Ball chaired by Michelle Pate, of Keystone Pacific Property Management, and Jennifer Brooks of Irvine Community Development Company garnered proceeds topping out at nearly $170,000. Event earnings are slated to benefit HomeAid Orange County's shelter development program, now in its 16th year as the Building Industry Association of Southern California's charitable outreach.
The event hosted by HomeAid Orange County board president, Michael Schlesinger, vice president Land Group, Lennar Partners included a live auction led by Bob Duff of Fidelity National Insurance. Items up for bid included a basketball signed by Laker great, Karl Malone; a foursome at The Bridges in Rancho Santa Fe; and a private concert donated by famed, award-winning jazz artist, Peter White, who delighted the audience with an outstanding solo performance.
As a special treat, Families Forward graduate, Nancy Parmalee spoke to the audience telling her unique story of her unexpected downward spiral to homelessness generated by the unforeseen ending of a marriage. "When my marriage suddenly ended, I was caught without a support system and two young children to care for. Without an income, it wasn't long before I was in trouble.
I had no where to turn and even though I was educated – working toward my Doctorate, I wasn't experienced in the work force and found myself broke and deserted. Thankfully, I found Families Forward where my children and I were cared for and where I could get back on my feet…those days are behind me now and I am back on track with my education and able to support myself and my two kids. I don't know what would have happened to us if it hadn't been for Families Forward and HomeAid Orange County."
The evening culminated with The Rainbow of Hope 2004 Awards presented to: General William Lyon of William Lyon Homes who received the Rainbow of Hope Builder Award; Jay Blakslee, the Blakslee Companies who garnered outstanding Volunteer; and Margie Wakeham of Families Forward who was presented with the Rainbow of Hope Care Provider Award.
The Irvine Company received the Rainbow of Hope Corporate Partner Award accepted by Mike LeBlanc; Gensler Architects was honored with the Rainbow of Hope Consultant Award accepted by Chip Williams; and the Rainbow of Hope Sub-Contractor Award went to DRI Residential accepted by Tim Davey.
Participating Sponsors contributing $5,000 or more to the Rainbow of Hope Ball were: Builder & Developer Magazine; Countrywide Home Loans; Fieldstone Communities, Inc., Irell & Manella, LLP; The Irvine Company; Lennar Homes of California; Lockton Insurance; Oltmans Construction Company, Orange County Association of Realtors; Shea Homes; and Valley Building Materials.
The temporarily homeless served by HomeAid Orange County and their partners include victims of domestic violence; families and individuals made homeless by job loss, catastrophic illness or spousal desertion; women in crisis pregnancy; neglected youths; and the mentally disabled. Through HomeAid's efforts more than 6,000 people last year found refuge in one of the shelters developed by HomeAid and its partners. For information, call (949) 553-9510 or visit the website at www.homeaidoc.org.
  
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