FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 18, 2019
Child Guidance Center Presents 37th Annual Holiday Fundraiser to Provide Childhood Mental Health Services
NEWPORT BEACH, CA, Dec. 8, 2019 – An estimated 150,000 children in Orange County are affected by a mental health condition. Child Guidance Center (CGC) of Orange County provides mental health services to about 4,500 children, teens, and their family members each year. To serve more of Orange County’s vulnerable young people, the agency is inviting the community to help raise funds at its 37th Annual Holiday Tree Fantasy Fundraising event on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Balboa Bay Resort.
Proceeds from the event will support the programs CGC provides children and families in need of mental and behavioral health services.
“There are so many children in our community at risk. Every day, CGC works with vulnerable children and their families to help them early before these challenges turn into life-threatening situations. We also have special programming for the children and families of our veterans here in Orange County. Never has this been more important to our local and global communities,” said Lori Pack, CEO of CGC.
This year’s theme – “Celebrating the Magic of Childhood” – has inspired the 2019 signature Fantasy Holiday Tree Packages. Each designer-decorated tree is reminiscent of a childhood classic story including Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Alice in Wonderland, Mary Poppins, Peter Pan, and many others.
Guests will celebrate with a complimentary champagne reception, tray passed hors d'oeuvres, silent and live auctions, premium wine-pull, and a gourmet meal. The event, emceed by the always entertaining Zack Krone, will feature Pack; Josh Buttrey, chair of CGC’s board; and other guests, who will share CGC’s story.
More than 300 Orange County business, philanthropic, and community leaders are expected to attend the event to help address the urgent need to increase access to early-intervention mental health services for children in Orange County. CGC seeks to raise more than $200,000 for life-saving mental health treatment services for children, youth, and young adults. Presenting event sponsor, David Colton, CEO Colton Company, said: “This event should be a priority for all business and community leaders in Orange County because every child deserves a chance at living a happy and healthy life.”
Event sponsors include Buttrey Financial, The Colton Company, Voorhees Wealth Management, Zone 4 Systems, RJE International, and Seacoast Commerce Bank.
For more information about the event and to purchase tickets, visit www.htf2019.givesmart.com.
About Child Guidance Center of Orange County:
Founded in 1967 by concerned parents and mental health professionals, today Child Guidance Center operates numerous community-based treatment locations offering comprehensive mental health services to over 4,500 children, teens, young adults, and their family members each year. Over 70% of the children and youth seen at Child Guidance Center have been victims of abuse, neglect, community violence, or other trauma. Our team of 80+ licensed and trained mental health clinicians offer services in multiple languages with cultural competency. Child Guidance Center of Orange County’s operating budget for 2019/20 is over $10 million.
About Children’s Mental Illness:
National Alliance of Mental Health states that one in five children between the ages of 13-18 will be diagnosed with a mental illness, and 50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by the age of 14. The impact of mental illness is profound. A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention establishes that the number of children dying by suicide continues to rise - affecting children as young as 10 years- with the rate of suicide for ages 10-14 years nearly tripling from 2007 to 2017.
Media Contact:
Lori Pack, lpack@cgcinc.org, (714) 953-4455, ext. 617
Website: www.childguidancecenteroc.org
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