Auctions, golf and shoppers boost fundraising to new heights
photo: TRACY SNYDERBuilding on a longstanding effort by the Southern California Food Industries Circle, the eighth annual Kids for Hope fundraising effort generated more than $730,000 in 2007. The total represented a record year for the program, which benefits City of Hope’s pediatric research, treatment and education efforts. To support Kids for Hope, staff sold mobiles to customers at checkstands during October at more than 900 locations of participating grocery retailers, including Albertsons, Bristol Farms, Food 4 Less, Gelson’s, Jax Markets, Ralphs, Stater Bros. and Superior Grocers. In a highlight, 50 food industry guests raised $170,000 on Oct. 16 through a media auction featuring advertising space donated by Albertsons and Bristol Farms. Committee members contributing to the effort’s success included, from left, Paul Christianson of Christianson West, Carole Christianson of WAFC, Pat Posey of Bristol Farms, Dave Huettl of Albertsons, Cheryl Kennick of City of Hope, Mike Ketchum of Albertsons, Bonnie Johnson of Albertsons, Kevin Davis of Bristol Farms and Tammy Brusseau of Albertsons.
photo: KARINA PIRESMore than 300 supporters gathered at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif., from Oct. 7 to 9 for the second annual American Express Celebrity Invitational Presented by the Hilton Family benefiting City of Hope. Through corporate support and auction proceeds, the event raised more than $225,000.
Celebrities including Barry Bonds, Brandi Chastain, Kevin Nealon and Sugar Ray Leonard joined senior executives from American Express, Hilton, Coca-Cola and FedEx for the threeday event, which featured two days of golf and a private clinic by Ladies Professional Golf Association Hall of Famer Amy Alcott.
Joining Theodore Krontiris, M.D., Ph.D., director emeritus and professor of molecular medicine, (center) at the event were Adam Burke, senior vice president of customer loyalty at Hilton Hotels Corporation, and Suzie Finch, vice president, Hotel & Resort Group, American Express.
photo: JOAN WIZNERCity of Hope Board Member Sheri Biller (fourth from left) updated south Florida supporters on cancer research and the newly established Sheri & Les Biller Patient and Family Resource Center at a donor dinner held in Bal Harbour on Dec. 6, 2007, which raised $150,000. Attendees included (from left) Michael and Erin Yavner, Kim Biller, Sheri Biller and Amy and Barry Wax.