Laura’s House Newsletter Winter 2012
Posted on November 2, 2012
Check out our Winter 2012 Newsletter!
In this issue:
- Letter from the Executive Director
- 2013 Events
- Candle Light Vigil - Teen Dating Violence Awarness Month
- Wine & Dine Event
- Laura's House Ladies Guild Event
- Dancing For a Cause - San Clemente Sunrise Rotary Event
- Freedom Run at the Ranch
- Laura's House Annual Gala
- Annual Gala Recap - "Music of the Night"
- 4 Ways to Give This Holiday
- Grants
4 Ways to Give this Holiday
Posted on November 2, 2012
1. GIFT CARDS
A respectful donation of gift cards this holiday will provide our families with the empowering opportunity to decide for themselves how they wish to celebrate the holiday and create new traditions with their families.
Gift Card Ideas: Barnes & Noble, CVS Pharmacy, Costco, Kohl’s, Grocery Stores, Gas Cards, Old Navy, Payless Shoes, RiteAid, Target, Toys-R-Us, Walmart, iTunes, Forever 21, Amazon, Macy’s, Babies R Us
2. CIRCLE OF FRIENDS PROGRAM
A recurring gift in honor of a loved one this holiday to our Circle of Friends Program can go a long way to ensuring Laura’s House is supported all year long!
Your recurring gift of $10/month or $100/month will go a long way to impacting many lives throughout 2013!
3. SPIRIT OF EMPOWERMENT
This Holiday Laura’s House will be accepting Holiday Gift Donations on behalf of our clients. Please review the Spirit of Empowerment Program document and Suggested Gift List. Drop offs will be accepted on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30pm-5:30pm at our Corporate Office. Please call the Fund Development Department at 949-361-3775 for more information.
4. YEAR END GIFT
Consider making a Year End Gift to Laura’s House before December 31st. The end of 2012 is fast approaching. This year we achieved our long time goal of operating out of the new Emergency Shelter and the renovated Transitional Living Center. You can support these programs of Laura’s House as they continue to grow—to make a gift before the year’s end.
Laura’s House Partners with Jabulani Yoga Studio to “End the Silence” of Domestic Violence
Posted on October 16, 2012
During Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2012, the Corona del Mar yoga studio is donating 20% of the proceeds from workshop enrollments to Laura’s House, and hosting two events – a stand-up paddleboard workshop and “Vino and Vinyasa” fundraiser
LADERA RANCH, Calif., Oct. 16, 2012 – Laura’s House is pleased to announce that it is partnering with Jabulani Yoga Studio during Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2012, to build greater awareness surrounding the prevalence of domestic violence within the Orange County community.
As part of its efforts to support Laura’s House in “ending the silence” of domestic violence, Jabulani Yoga Studio is hosting two special events during October, including a stand-up paddleboard workshop on Balboa Bay, that was held on Saturday, Oct. 13, and a “Vino and Vinyasa” reception and class to be held on Wednesday, Oct. 24. The studio will also donate 20% of the proceeds from workshop enrollments during October, to Laura’s House. Additionally, throughout the year, as one of Jabulani Yoga Studio’s nonprofit partners, 20% of all studio fees spent by clients who designate Laura’s House as their preferred charity, will be donated directly to the nonprofit.
“We are delighted that Jabulani Yoga Studio has chosen to become one of our community partners,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director for Laura’s House. “For us, every donation counts, and by hosting special events like the stand-up paddleboard workshop, and ‘Vino and Vinyasa,’ Jabulani Yoga Studio is helping us to build greater awareness, and raise much-needed funds that will support us in sustaining the programs and services that we provide to individuals and families who are impacted by domestic violence.”
Members of the local community are invited to join Laura’s House at Jabulani Yoga Studio located at 2711 East Coast Highway, Suite 102 in Newport Beach, Calif. for the “Vino and Vinyasa” event, starting at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 24.
During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy fine wine, sample gourmet chocolates, learn yoga practices and find out how they can support and become an advocate for Laura’s House in the community. The event will also include a “Yoga for the Office” tutorial where attendees can learn now to promote wellness in the workplace through a series of stretches. The wine reception will be followed by a Vinyasa class starting at 6:00 p.m. Reception attendees planning to participate in this class should bring appropriate yoga attire.
For more information, or to RSVP for “Vino and Vinyasa” contact Andrea McCallister at (949) 361-3775, ext. 211 or amccallister@laurashouse.org. Space is limited and RSVPs are requested by Monday, Oct. 22. For more information about Jabulani Yoga Studio, visit www.jabulaniyoga.com.
About Laura’s House Over the past eighteen years, Laura’s House has provided residential shelter and support services to nearly 3,500 families, and counseling, life skills education and legal assistance to over 40,000 individuals. The mission of Laura’s House is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.
# # #
Laura’s House Annual Gala “Music of the Night” Nets $150,000
Posted on October 10, 2012
275 guests gathered at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa on Saturday, October 6 for a “Masquerade Ball” to build awareness and raise funds to support programs and services that the organization provides to individuals and families impacted by domestic violence
Ladera Ranch, Calif., Oct. 9, 2012 – Guests arrived at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa on Saturday, October 6, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. dressed in attire inspired by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera,” for the Laura’s House annual gala, “Music of the Night.” From the reception area to the silent auction to the grand ballroom, it was a sea of ornate feathered masks as 275 friends and supporters gathered to raise $150,000 to help fund the vital programs and services that the organization provides to to individuals and families impacted by domestic violence.
“We are immensely grateful to everyone who attended our annual gala this year, and helped to make it such a huge success by opening their hearts and wallets to provide us with the financial support that we need to sustain the programs and services that we provide to individuals and families that are impacted by domestic violence here in Orange County, and beyond,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director, Laura’s House. “Special events like our annual gala are also instrumental building greater awareness that helps us to fulfill our mission, changing the social beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence.”
“Music of the Night” began with a reception for Major Donors to the recently completed Cornerstone Capital Campaign, a $4.5 million fundraising initiative that enabled Laura’s House to rebuild its emergency shelter, and purchase a separate faciility for its Step Ahead Transitional Housing Program for shelter graduates. Laura’s House board members and supporters gathered to recognized Orange County philanthropist Anne MacPherson, along with Campaign chair Wayne Pinnell and his wife Karen; and, Laura Khouri, Chair of the Laura’s House Board of Directors, for their steadfast support in helping to achieve the Campaign’s fundraising goals. Each of the honorees received a hand selected crystal cut bowl or vase from Tiffany & Co.
At 6:00 p.m., the cocktail reception began and included a selection of passed hors d’oeuvres – Seared Ahi on Wonton with Wasabi Cream Cheese Canape, Pear and Brie in Phyllo, Filet Mignonette Point Reyes, Sesame Chicken and Miniature Beef Wellingtons. Guests were also invited to enjoy signature cocktails from the martini luge, and a selection of red and white wines, cocktails and soft drinks.
During the cocktail reception guests perused a silent auction featuring more than 200 items including exciting travel and entertainment experiences, culinary adventures, and a “Wall of Wine” offering a seemingly endless selection of top-rated wines and tasting experiences from around the world. Volunteers from the National Charity League circulated during the silent auction, selling tickets for the opportunity drawing for a 2-night stay at the Montage Laguna Beach.
Following the silent auction, guests were invited in the Grand Pacific Ballroom for the dinner and program, featuring Vikki Vargas, Orange County Bureau Chief for NBC4 as Master of Ceremonies. As guests enjoyed freshly-baked artisan rolls with imported European style butter and wedge salads made with fresh Bibb lettuce, oven-dried tomato, aged romano cheese, maple pepper bason and chunky cucumber ranch dressing, Vargas introduced Margaret Bayston and Laura Khouri, Chair of the Laura’s House Board of Directors and Gala Chair for “Music of the Night.” Shelley Hoss, president of the Orange County Community Foundation joined them on the stage to present Khouri with the “Power Packed Philanthropy Award,” recognizing her for her generous contributions to Laura’s House and leadership as a member and chair of the board of directors for the past four years, and advocacy for the organization within the Orange County business and philanthropic communities, which has generated more than $2 million in donations to Laura’s House.
Dinner included a choice of grilled filet mignon with balsamic reduction, grilled Gruyere and leek potato gratin and seasonal vegetables; pan-seared halibut with baby bok choy and Asian pepper sauce with sun-dried tomator risotto and seasonal vegatables; or, roasted vegetable Napolean, layered with Boursin cheese and dressed with basil oil in a balsmic reduction.
Following dinner, Margaret Bayston joined Khouri on stage again to present this year’s Crystal Heart Awards. Honorees this year were Orange County philanthropist Anne MacPherson, representing The Joe MacPherson Foundation and Edwards Lifesciences for their corporate philanthropy. MacPherson was again recognized by Laura’s House for her generous contributions to the Cornerstone Capital Campaign and commitment to the Laura’s House mission. Amanda Fowler, Executive Director of Global Corporate Giving, accepted the award on behalf of Edwards Lifesciences, which was honored for its spirit of philanthropy, commitment to the Laura’s House mission and dedication to assisting victims of domestic violence through their corporate giving initiatives and volunteer program.
Laura’s House then welcomed three shelter graduates to the stage, to share their testimony of how Laura’s House helped them, before debuting its new video, “Kim’s Story,” which featured a woman who was able to rebuild a life that was free of domestic violence with the help she received while living in the Laura’s House Emergency Shelter. As the video was presented, guests enjoyed “Sam & Harry’s” trio for dessert including miniature crème brulee, bite sized chocolate opera cake and a berry glazed tartlet. Dessert was followed by coffee service. Following dessert, auctioneer Mike Shumard took the stage for the “Rebuild a Life” auction to solicit sponsorships for the Laura’s House Emergency Shelter, Transitional Living Center, Counseling and Resource Center, Legal Advocacy program, and Healthy Emotions and Attitudes for Teens in Relationships (H.E.A.R.T.) community outreach program, and basic needs
The dinner and program concluded with the live auction featuring a French vacation with a two-night stay at the luxurious Hotel le Bristol in Paris, followed by a three-night stay at any one of the more than 520 Small Luxury Hotels of the World properties worldwide; two VIP tickets for a live broadcast of Season 15 of “Dancing with the Stars, a one-night stay at the W Hotel in Hollywood, and a two-day rental of a Fisker Karma; a one-of-a-kind child’s playhouse designed and built by Western National Group and friends; a wine and food pairing class for 10 people, and sit-down dinner at Giracci Vineyards & Farms in Silverado Canyon; box seating for 10 people at the Bruce Springsteen concert coming to the Honda Center on December 4, 2012; and, a Corum Men’s Admiral’s Cup 48M Titanium black watch.
After dinner, guests were invited to enjoy dancing and lively, musical entertainment from the Sensation Showband.
Gala Chair for “Music of the Night” was Laura Khouri, who also currently serves as the Chair for the Laura’s House Board of Directors. Event committee members include Laura Bartz, Andrea Stephens and Denise Strini from Western National Group; Laura’s House board members Jennifer Hannigan Boyer, Linda Grace Kearns, Sandy Jacobson, Casey Wolin, Kurt Ross and his wife Lorrie; and, Cornerstone Capital Campaign Chair, Wayne Pinnell and his wife Karen.
About Laura’s House Over the past eighteen years, Laura’s House has provided residential shelter and support services to nearly 3,500 families, and counseling, life skills education and legal assistance to over 40,000 individuals. The mission of Laura’s House is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.
# # #