TUSTIN, Calif., May 28, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- More than 200 guests donned cowboy boots and rhinestones at the inaugural Kinship Center Spring Soiree at the Yorba Linda Country Club on May 18th raising funds and awareness to benefit the programs of Kinship Center and Canyon Acres who recently merged under the umbrella of Seneca Family of Agencies. The combined nonprofit will use the funds to enhance signature programs and expand services to meet the profound needs of children in Orange County with the scars of past abuse and trauma. The event netted over $70,000 for the cause.
Guests kicked up their heels at this fun event with festivities including strolling, dining, live music by country/rock band The Silverados, an interactive photo booth, whiskey tastings, a fabulous live auction and a $20,000 matching gift challenge to raise funds for Kinship Center and Canyon Acres' programs serving abused and abandoned children. Top auction items included one-of-a-kind experiences such as an LAPD Fly-Along, Angel Suite and a Newport Harbor Cruise.
The Children's Champion Award was presented to Heidi Molgaard and The Irvine Company for their generous support of the Canyon Acres' Ranch Renovation Project; a revitalization project that will refurbish and equip the Ranch property to accommodate expanded therapeutic services. Major event sponsors included Patrick and Mary Dirk and TROY Group, Inc. and A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation. Additional sponsors included Paul Hastings, Harald & Courtney Herrmann, Carl Neisser, Northrop Grumman, Snell & Wilmer LLP, and MConsensus. Governing Board member Geoff LePlastrier and Leadership Board Co-Chair Sharyn Buffa garnered a big "Yee- haw" from the boot-clad attendees as they cheered on long-time agency supporter, Windell Stout who served as MC for the night and The Clark Family who shared their amazing adoption story with the enraptured audience. Leadership Board Members Erin Lastinger and Marice White chaired the country-chic affair.
"We are incredibly grateful to the corporate and individual donors who made this event possible," stated Ken Berrick, CEO of Seneca Family of Agencies. "Funds raised will play a critical role in meeting the needs of the most vulnerable children and youth in our community."
About Kinship Center-Canyon Acres
Merged under Seneca Family of Agencies, a nationally accredited innovator in community, school, and family-based services, the Orange County programs of Kinship Center and Canyon Acres build and sustain healthy permanent families for abused, neglected, and emotionally traumatized children. Our Southern California branch will soon officially rebrand as Seneca Orange County, incorporating the established programs of both Kinship Center and Canyon Acres and serving more than 1,000 children in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties.
For more information, please visit www.kinshipcenter.org.