Community Corner

Top O.C. Philanthropists Honored

Aliso Viejo resident among the nine O.C. National Philanthropy Day honorees.

Aliso Viejo resident Marilyn Ditty was honored as one of Orange County's top philanthropists at a luncheon Tuesday in honor of National Philanthropy Day.

The event, held at the Hyatt Regency in Garden Grove, welcomed 725 guests and presented nine awards. More than 100 entries for outstanding honorees were submitted by local businesses and nonprofit organizations. A panel, which included 40 community leaders and was led by Kris Elftman and Victoria Collins, made the final selection.

This year's winners received a special blue glass heart-shaped award, created by O.C. artists John Barber and Michele Taylor. The piece was inspired by the NPD motto, "Change the world with a giving heart."

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“During this season of giving and thanksgiving, we are so grateful to have this opportunity to celebrate together all the amazing philanthropic work being done in the Orange County community,” said NPD O.C. Event Co-Chair Cathy Michaels.

2011 HONOREES

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LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Marybelle and Sebastian Paul Musco, Newport Beach
— Over 50 years of dedication and generosity serving the arts, public television, higher education, the disabled, child advocacy, and law enforcement

OUTSTANDING FOUNDER
Marilyn Ditty, Aliso Viejo
— Founder of Age Well Senior Services, having served 85,000 seniors in over 33 years

OUTSTANDING PHILANTHROPIST
Jim and Sheila Peterson, San Juan Capistrano
— Significantly impacting children across Orange County

OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER FUNDRAISER
Jackie and Norm Kallan, Newport Beach
— Dedication to finding a cure for type 1 diabetes

OUTSTANDING PHILANTHROPIC GROUP
HeARTS for Healing Guild, Laguna Niguel — Advocacy and fundraising for community art programs

OUTSTANDING YOUTH GROUP
Mission Viejo High School Athletic Department, Mission Viejo
— Student athletes dedicated to pediatric cancer, more than $17,000 fundraised and more than 800 hours volunteered

OUTSTANDING LARGE CORPORATION
Kaiser Permanente, Santa Ana — Committed to providing health care services to low-income families

OUTSTANDING MID-SIZE CORPORATION
Trace 3, Irvine — Assisting nonprofits to expand through philanthropic initiatives

OUTSTANDING SMALL CORPORATION
Shulman Hodges & Bastian LLP, Irvine — Commitment to improving the lives of children with cancer, $215,000 donated to the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation


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