Laguna Beach K-9s get custom-made protective vests
Laguna Beach K-9s are a little safer on the job.
The Laguna Beach Police and Community Foundation (lbpcf.org) bought custom protective vests for two department K-9s, thanks to a generous donation from board member Bob Roper.
The manufacturer, K-9 Storm, is considered the gold standard in K-9 protection. Each dog is measured in 27 areas to create a custom vest that is perfectly fitted.
The handlers can have the dogs wear the vest the entire shift if they choose to, without worrying about tiring the animals with the extra weight or causing them to overheat. The vest is stab- and slash-resistant and provides underbelly impalement protection. Each comes with a lifetime warranty.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Bob Roper on this important project,” said Laguna Beach Police and Community Foundation President Glenn Gray. “The department’s K-9s are an essential part of effective policing, and these vests will ensure that they are well protected as they undertake often dangerous missions on behalf of the community.”
– Submitted by the Laguna Beach Police and Community Foundation
Harvesters’ fashion show raises $1.4M for food bank
About 300 donors, community leaders and supporters gathered to raise funds to feed those in need during Harvesters’ 31st annual fashion show and luncheon at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. They raised more than $1.4 million to support the work of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. The event also included Second Harvest’s 40th anniversary recognition.
The highly anticipated event featured a Champagne reception sponsored by Mikimoto, a luxury runway fashion show presented by South Coast Plaza and a seated luncheon.
“For 31 years, Harvesters has supported Second Harvest Food Bank in its mission to provide families and growing children with access to nutritious food, and we couldn’t have done it without our generous underwriters’ gifts,” said Gail Haft, Harvesters’ chair. “Second Harvest provides hundreds of thousands of our neighbors in need with healthy food, including fresh fruits and vegetables grown locally year-round, to foster a stronger, healthier community.”
Founded in 1992, Harvesters is a group of devoted women volunteers who work hard to ensure everyone in Orange County is well fed. What started as a small, informal gathering to address a shortfall in funding at Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County quickly grew into a group 50-strong committed to supporting all who struggle with food insecurity.
To date, Harvesters has contributed over $17.5 million to Second Harvest Food Bank.
“For four decades we have provided vulnerable families with access to nutritious food, and the need is greater than ever,” said Claudia Bonilla Keller, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. “We are currently distributing food to over 400,000 people each month. Thank you, Harvesters, for helping Second Harvest to make an impact on the community and for supporting our work for another 40 years and beyond.”
– Submitted by Harvesters
Local teen leads support for kids with serious medical condition
South Orange County teen Brooke Walker was only 15 when she was diagnosed with advanced scoliosis in 2021. Since then, she has navigated her new reality, medical appointments and a major surgery, all without feeling as if there was a peer she could talk to who could relate to her experience.
So she decided to turn her traumatic ordeal into something that would help other kids in similar situations, and she got involved with support organizations, including Curvy Girls. She has also connected with others through her Instagram account @scoliosis.brooke, where she mentors kids facing tough medical odds.
Now, Walker is the new lead for Curvy Girls, a nonprofit organization that offers international peer support for girls living with scoliosis. She is leading all of Orange County, providing support for teens and holding monthly group meetings in person and online. Kids can reach her at OC@CurvyGirlsScoliosis.com
Kaiser raising cancer prevention awareness
Kaiser Permanente Orange County leaders, physicians and health care staff are out to raise awareness about lung cancer prevention and the importance of early detection and treatment.
They joined Chris Draft, a former NFL player who serves as an NFL Ambassador and an international spokesman on many health-related issues, in a White Ribbon Project event to stress that anyone can get lung cancer, not just smokers, and that screenings are important. Draft’s late wife, Keasha, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in spite of being a nonsmoker.
At the event, Draft honored his Orange County alma mater Valencia High School’s teacher Danielle Conner, who is a lung cancer survivor. Conner received her care at Anaheim Medical Center and credits early detection to saving her life.
During the event, participants painted wooden ribbons made by students at Valencia High School white. The painted white ribbons, a symbol of unity, will be distributed to lung cancer survivors in the community.
The Bravo! section highlights achievements of our residents and groups. Send news of achievements for consideration to ocrbravo@gmail.com.
