The Crowd: Giving families keep treatment program going
We live amid constant change. Even in the circles of philanthropy, donors often shift alliances as the wind blows. It’s just reality.
In the O.C., the community is blessed to have charitable folks who stay the course for the long haul.
Many of the names are familiar, representing families that have had roots in the community for decades. Last Monday in Newport Beach, one such family, joined by many additional donors and supporters, made an enormous financial difference for an organization called New Directions for Women.
The Dick Pickup family, including Carole Pickup, Devon and Kevin Martin, and Natalie and Todd Pickup, made a significant financial commitment to New Directions for Women that enabled the group to top the $500,000 mark in donations.
An anonymous donor made a lead gift of $125,000, and the entire breakfast event was underwritten by the Balboa Bay Resort and its partner The Meritage Collection.
The work of New Directions for Women began in the community in 1977 with co-founders Pamela Wilder, Marion Schoen and Muriel Zink. Local women involved with the organization for some 40 years recall the day that Wilder, attending a Junior League of Orange County meeting, stood up and declared the need for assistance for chemically dependent women. In 1977, the fact that women might be fighting alcohol and drug abuse was not always recognized or given the attention it deserved.
Today, New Directions for Women has proudly served more than 5,000 ladies. More than 500 children have found shelter on the New Directions campus, and more than 100 healthy babies have been born to mothers going through the group’s treatment program.
The organization serves women of all ages, pregnant women in any trimester and women with children up to age 13. New Directions operates without consideration of ability to pay for treatment. In addition, charitable funds raised during the year are partially earmarked for aid to women who find themselves in a financial crisis.
Becky Flood, CEO of New Directions for Women, welcomed the upbeat early-morning breakfast crowd, who came to share their passion and their stories of success. Devon Martin, daughter of Dick and Carole Pickup, opened the morning confab with a heartfelt invocation.
Martin was joined at the podium by Gail Soderling, Jenny Rodin and Melanie Cackowsky offering revealing and personal stories revolving around women’s lives being saved by New Directions. Cackowsky was actually referred to the organization following an appearance on the “Dr. Phil” television show.
A hearty meal of bacon, scrambled eggs and grilled asparagus was shared by guests and donors, including Faith Strong, longtime board member and major donor; Dan and Allison Carracino; Daniel Headrick; Lido Isle’s lovely MaryAnna Jeppe, representing women from the Decorative Arts Society; and Ann Premazon. Also supporting the cause were Lyn and Daneen Wilder; Jay and Gloria Tukhi; Deborah Drucker-Nesbitt; Rich Bridgford and Berni Neal.
To learn more about New Directions for Women, contact its director of development and public relations, Tania Bhattacharyya, at https://[email protected].
THE CROWD runs Fridays and occasional Saturdays. B.W. Cook is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.
