DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Laura’s House anniversary event brings in over $700K

More than 300 supporters of Laura’s House came together at the Newport Beach Country Club on Oct. 2 to mark the nonprofit’s 27th Anniversary.

Themed, Never Rock Alone, the event raised more than $700,000 for services benefiting domestic violence victims, including residential shelter services, counseling and legal services, and prevention and community outreach programs among others. Funds raised also will support the “The Power of the Journey” capital campaign for the new Laura’s House Domestic Violence Resource Center in Aliso Viejo, Orange County’s first multiservice collaborative focused on holistic domestic violence-related services.

Event speakers included opening remarks from Laura Khouri, president, Western National Property Management and gala chair and Margaret Bayston, CEO and executive director, Laura’s House.

The “Power of the Journey” capital campaign committee co-chairs, Wayne Pinnell, CPA, Haskell & White LLP and Cheryl Osborn, president and CEO, Casco Contractors Inc., said that $5.8 million of the $10 million capital campaign goal has been raised to date, due in part to a recent $250,000 donation from Robert Olson, president and CEO, R.D. Olson Development, which was announced at the event. Marla Robinson, partner, Merhab Robinson & Clarkson Law Corporation, was presented with the Laura’s House Crystal Heart Award for her dedication, commitment and support of the Laura’s House mission.

Khouri and Michael K. Hayde, chairman of the board and CEO, Western National Group, were the presenting sponsors for the gala. Other key sponsors included Lisa Argyros, the Argyros Family Foundation and the Nancy and Geoffrey Stack Family Foundation, the Thompson Foundation, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Haskell & White; Merhab Robinson Clarkson Law Corporation, ShurDry Restoration, R.D. Olson Development and U.S. Bank.