National Philanthropy Day honorees announced

ORANGE COUNTY, CA -- Orange County’s community volunteer leaders have chosen this year’s National Philanthropy Day Orange County Honorees.

The 23rd Annual National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008 ,at Anaheim Marriott Hotel, 700 West Convention Way, Anaheim.

National Philanthropy Day is an official day to publicly recognize philanthropists, volunteers, and non-profit leaders who give their “time, talent and treasure” to enable nonprofit organizations to meet the needs of their communities. The celebration is observed in more than 100 North American cities each November.

Robert and Margaret Sprague of Corona del Mar head the list of honorees after being chosen as recipients of the “Spirit of Philanthropy Lifetime Achievement Award”, the most distinguished honor of the year.

Local nonprofit organizations submitted over 130 nominations and a committee of 40 chose the Outstanding Honoree in each of the following eight categories to receive a Spirit of Philanthropy Award.

NPD is sponsored by the Orange County Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. For more information regarding the event, visit the web site www.npdoc.org or contact Milly Heaton, event co-chair, at 714-278-7695 or Media Contact Jess Block at 909-706-8525.

SPIRIT OF PHILANTHROPY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Robert and Margaret Sprague, Corona del Mar

Nominated by: University of California, Irvine

*Bob and Peggie Sprague are long-term, loyal and enthusiastic supporters of our community. Their generous and quiet nature of giving time and financial resources is all because of their passion for causes, not for notoriety or recognition. The Spragues’ gifts to UC Irvine support cancer and genetic programs, bio-medical research, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and social disorders. The Spragues’ most recent gift to UCI will support a new Women’s Cancer Research Center that will house faculty research, post–doctoral studies and resident training. The Spragues generosity supported a myriad of Orange County’s charitable organizations including: the Orange County Museum of Art, Red Cross of America, MIND Research Institute, ARCS Foundation, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Hoag Hospital, Orange County Performing Arts Center, Sherman Library and Gardens and the Big Sister League. The Spragues have devoted much of their lives to building a legacy benefiting Orange County and beyond. Their generosity will live on through the patients, families, students and faculty who will benefit from the research and education that their support has provided.

OUTSTANDING PHILANTHROPIST

Marilyn McIntyre, Newport Beach

Nominated by: Orange County Museum of Art, Saint Joseph’s Ballet, Hoag Hospital Foundation, and Women of Vision

* Marilyn McIntyre has been generously giving to the Orange County community since 1972 with her support focusing on serving the disadvantaged, promoting the arts, and healing the sick. McIntyre does this with gifts of time, resources and knowledge as a Board Member, supporter, patron, mentor, advocate, ambassador and friend. Projects she supports include: Hoag Hospital Presbyterian’s Nursing Education and Cancer programs; Saint Joseph Ballet’s building campaign and Beth Burns Legacy Endowment; Orange County Museum of Art and Women of Vision’s Christian humanitarian projects; Pacific Symphony; and Angelitos de Oro. McIntyre has a humble and philanthropic heart and many years of dignified and quiet service.

OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER FUNDRAISER

Michael R. Harrison, Costa Mesa

Nominated by Boy Scouts of America, Orange County Council, Orange County Ronald McDonald House, and Corona del Mar High School

* Michael Harrison has volunteered and provided leadership benefiting the Orange County Council Boy Scouts of America, CHOC Padrinos, Harbor Day School, Ronald McDonald House of Orange County, Corona del Mar High School Cross Country Team, and Orange County Performing Arts Center.

As a partner in Trico Realty, Inc., and President of Mike Harrison Construction, Harrison was able to inspire many of his building industry colleagues to donate goods and services for construction of the Orange County Ronald McDonald House.

Harrison’s example has motivated others to take similar action on numerous projects, including the Boy Scouts’ new Outdoor Education Center, a $30 million educational campus.

OUTSTANDING CORPORATION OR BUSINESS (FEWER THAN 30 EMPLOYESS)

Alan Greeley, Costa Mesa

Nominated by Share Our Selves (SOS)

* The Golden Truffle and Chef/Owner Alan Greeley is an outstanding community leader throughout Orange County, providing local charities with leadership, financial support and hands-on philanthropic involvement. This Costa Mesa native is famous for his good cooking, giving nature and legendary bear hugs. He is a founding chef for Share Our Selves Wild and Crazy Taco Night and Celebrity Chefs Dinner and Auction and has stayed with the events every year since serving several times as Head Chef. These two chef events are the primary funding sources for the SOS Food Pantry, feeding approximately 200 families a day.

The Golden Truffle is a role model for good citizenship, giving back to the community far above and beyond what is normal for a small business.

OUTSTANDING CORPORATION OR BUSINESS (MORE THAN 30 EMPLOYESS)

Wells Fargo

Nominated by American Red Cross Orange County Chapter, KOCE-TV Foundation, Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center

* Wells Fargo’s foundation was formed in 1978 to support organizations working to strengthen our communities and improve the quality of life. Last year, 328 organizations like KOCE, American Red Cross of Orange County and the Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center benefited from more than $2.6 million in cash contributions. During last year’s annual community support campaign, local team members pledged more than $295,000 of their own money for non-profit organizations and schools. However, they give more than just money -- they give their time. In 2007, Orange County team members volunteered 6,300 hours and served on more than 60 local non-profit boards of directors. As a major employer in Orange County, Wells Fargo is proud of its role as a community leader and of its 3,000 Orange County team members who make a difference in the lives of people who live and work here everyday.

OUTSTANDING FOUNDER

Dottie Andrews, Mission Viejo

Nominated by MOMS Orange County and Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County

* As a parent advocate and concerned citizen, Dottie Andrews founded MOMS Orange County in 1992. The mission of MOMS Orange County is to help women and their families have healthy babies by offering health care coordination, education, and access to community services. Under her exceptional leadership, MOMS Orange County has grown to serve more than 5,000 mothers and their babies each year.

Andrews has either founded or played a key role in establishing many other organizations critical to health and well-being of the community including: the NICU Parent Services Program at CHOC, Parent Care, Inc., Family Support Network, Healthy Smiles For Kids of Orange County, and the Children’s Health Initiative of Orange County. Dottie’s vision and leadership have been a true gift to mothers, children and families in Orange County and beyond.

OUTSTANDING PHILANTHROPIC GROUP

Laguna-Hills Saddleback Kiwanis Club, Laguna Hills

Nominated by Saddleback Memorial Foundation

*The Laguna Hills-Saddleback Kiwanis Club has been busy volunteering and raising funds to support the local community, local schools, and young people since 1967. Nearly all of the 100+ members are retirees from Laguna Woods, for this group, retiring from the world is the last thing on their minds. They have a keen desire to serve their community and fellow man; and Kiwanis offers them a vehicle for social contact, philanthropy, and community service. Over the years, Laguna Hills-Saddleback Kiwanis has donated over $1 million to local and international causes through membership dues, the Pancake Breakfast, the Scholarship Fund Drive, and other fundraising activities.

OUTSTANDING YOUTH

Morgan Wickett, Ladera Ranch

Nominated by Alzheimer’s Association Orange County Chapter and Calvary Chapel Grace Children’s Ministry

*Morgan Wickett’s Great-Grandmother has Alzheimer’s, and Wickett takes action to raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer’s Association in her honor. In the past year, Wickett raised $735. Wickett speaks about dementia with a deep perspective that far exceeds her age yet still motivates her peers.

The Orange County fifth-grader is an active member in the Children’s Ministry at Calvary Chapel Grace Church, making frequent trips to Mexico to give back to children in need.

Wickett has innovated new ways to take fundraising drives to the computer, shown remarkable leadership when interacting with donors, and responded to every call for help with an enthusiastic and impassioned “yes.”