Girls Inc. of Orange County® Raises $225,000 at Annual Fundraising Luncheon, “My Bold Future”

Nov. 5, 2013 - PRLog -- Girls Inc. of Orange County^®, the nonprofit that inspires girls to be strong, smart and bold, hosted its annual fundraising luncheon, “My Bold Future” on Thursday October 24, at The Island Hotel, Newport Beach, Calif. An affiliate of the national youth organization, Girls Incorporated^®, Girls Inc. provides vital after school, summer enrichment, and educational programs to girls five to 18 which help them become confident, productive, and responsible adults. This year’s event brought together many of Orange County’s elite philanthropists and corporations for an afternoon of food, wine and fundraising. The event had more than 300 attendees and raised $225,000. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Girls Inc. scholarship program.

“At Girls Inc., we’re passionately committed to helping the girls we serve develop the values and skills needed to enter adulthood confidently and responsibly,” said Lucy Santana-Ornelas, chief executive officer of Girls Inc. of Orange County. “The annual “My Bold Future” fundraising luncheon brings together our corporate and community partners for an afternoon of food, fun, and entertainment. The funds raised will be used to provide program scholarships to girls county-wide in the areas of: improving self-esteem; boosting grades, preparing for higher education; exploring science, math, and technology; and becoming economically independent.”

This year’s event boasted a multitude of sponsors, including ADP®, Allergan, Applied Medical, Disneyland^®, UPS and more. Led by the Mistress of Ceremonies, Chef Jamie Gwen, and Honorary Co-Chairs, Gena H. Reed, founder of Paragon Biomedical, and Maribel Maldonado, an alumna of Girls, Inc., the event featured a three-course lunch, entertainment and a live auction. Prizes for the auction included: four tickets to the Los Angeles Lakers, a suite package with the Los Angeles Clippers, two tickets to the American Music Awards, two tickets to the People’s Choice Awards, two tickets to Justin Timberlake, and two tickets to Selena Gomez.

Girls Inc. has been a respected member of the Orange County nonprofit community for nearly 60 years. Putting its mission into practice, Girls Inc. equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers to grow into healthy, educated, and independent adults. Girls Inc. provides services to more than 4,500 girls, ages five to 18, annually by providing year-round holistic, compensatory, and intentional programming focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), financial literacy, sound body image, healthy relationships, and college and career readiness.

Individuals looking to support Girls Inc. and help increase awareness beyond the My Bold Future luncheon can make a gift, coordinate one-day service projects, assist with educational programs, host a Girls Inc. teen for a career externship or become a mentor. Learn more at http://www.girlsinc-oc.org/volunteer-now/.

About Girls Inc. ^® of Orange County

Girls Inc. ^® of Orange County has been a respected member of the nonprofit community for almost 60 years.  The mission of Girls Inc. is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.  We put our mission into practice through the Girls Inc. experience that equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers and grow into healthy, educated and independent adults.  Girls Inc. of Orange County positively changes the lives of 4,500 girls, ages 4.5  to 18, each year, by providing year-round holistic, compensatory, and intentional programming focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math), financial literacy, sound body image, healthy relationships, and college and career readiness.  For more information, please visit www.girlsinc-oc.org.