2005 BRIGHT FUTURES BALL RAISES $140,000 FOR ORANGE COUNTY CHILD ABUSE AND TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION PROGRAMS

ORANGE, Calif.(March 12, 2005) –Radiant light shined on guests Saturday, March 12 at the “Bright Lights- Bright Futures” themed “2005 Bright Futures Ball,” an event of the Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center (“the Prevention Center”) and Angels Care, a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation.

Nearly 350 business and community leaders from around the county gathered at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine for this seventh annual black-tie gala, which raised $140,000 for the Prevention Center’s in-home parenting education, teen pregnancy prevention and divorce transition programs.

“We’ve transformed the lives of 136,000 people in the last 21 years, but with more than 31,000 reports of child abuse in Orange County last year, we’ve got a lot of work left to do,” said Kathy McCarrell, executive director of the Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center.

“The generous support of caring, concerned community members like those here tonight has not only made our success possible, it will enable us to expand our programs and permanently improve the lives of many more Orange County children and families.

As part of the festivities, the Prevention Center presented its “Bright Futures Award” to Erin Runnion, mother of Samantha and founder of “The Joyful Child Foundation,” for her work to prevent violence against children and raise awareness about child safety. The “Champion of Children Award,” which recognizes the exemplary contributions of an organization or individual in bettering the lives of children, was awarded to the Sisters of St. Joseph Healthcare Foundation. Ms. Sidney Yeaman and Sister Sharon Becker accepted on behalf of the Foundation, which has consistently supported the Prevention Center and its programs.

The highlight of the evening’s program was the “Bid from the Heart” presentation. Prevention Center Board Member Dawn Kohler spoke courageously about her personal experience with child abuse and its generational devastation. Kohler, together with Runnion, encouraged the audience to make a personal commitment to break the cycle of child abuse. Over 200 children on program waiting lists were sponsored and will now receive, along with their families, services and support from the Prevention Center.

Guests at the Bright Futures Ball enjoyed dinner, live and silent auctions, and dancing to the smooth tunes of Sharky and the Babes. Kent French, production manager for the Mighty Ducks, served as Master of Ceremonies.

Major event sponsors included: Angels Care, a Fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation; Wells Fargo Bank; Jan and Ken Jewell; Siemens; Tom and Mimi Keyes; Frank and Gail Robitaille; Newport Harbor Exchange Club; The Irvine Company; Call, Jensen & Farrell, Lavey Roofing Services; Paula E. Meyer & Associates; Deloitte; Executive Coach; Firstline Security Systems; Western Digital Corporation; Beech Street Corporation; Wright, Ford, Young & Company; First American Title Company; Commercial Capital Bank; and Washington Mutual Bank.

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The Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center is a 501 (c)(3) Public Benefit Corporation. 
All contributions to the event shall not be subject to any donor restrictions. 
Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center Tax ID #33-0013237