Celebrating 100 Years of Service, And the Next 100 Years to Come
ORANGE, CA (October 1, 2024) – On Saturday, September 28th, Friendly Center hosted its One Heart Gala at the Presidential Richard Nixon Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, celebrating its 100th anniversary. The room was filled with 220 guests in attendance who, upon arrival, enjoyed a cocktail hour with an exhibit displaying key historical moments in Friendly Center’s history. Dinner was prepared by White House Catering, and Sean Kelley, the auctioneer for the night, helped lead the event to success with a live auction and paddle raise. By the end of the evening, over $160,000 was raised to benefit Friendly Center’s mission of providing stability, opportunity, and hope to Orange County children and families in crisis.
Friendly Center’s CEO, Kenia Cueto, Ph.D., delivered a presentation painting the vision of the next 100 years of Friendly Center with an emphasis on its three pillars: Food and Basic Needs, Family Services, and Education and Workforce Development. A surprise performance by musical group, Rythmo Mariachi—a Friendly Center mariachi school legacy—brought smiles to guests’ faces as they performed “De Colores,” a traditional mariachi song.
City of Orange Mayor, Dan Slater, and City of Buena Park Mayor, Susan Sonne were in attendance, alongside Vice Mayor of Buena Park, Joyce Ahn. Orange County Board Supervisor of the Fourth District, Doug Chaffee was in attendance along with his wife, Paulette Chaffee. Sponsors for the evening included AO Architects, Chapman University, Cummins & White, LLP., Sharon D. Lund Foundation, United Business Bank, and US Bank.
Friendly Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing a variety of free programs and services for low-income families and individuals in Orange County through its Community Resource Centers in Buena Park and Orange. Friendly Center offers wrap-around services in the areas of stability and education/workforce development to nurture self-sufficiency and prevent homelessness before it starts. Friendly Center’s work in the community is made possible through the help of its supporters. To learn more visit www.friendlycenter.org.
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Contact:
Mariah Martinez, PR & Marketing Manager
714-771-5300 x114
mariah@friendlycenter.org