KidWorks 2nd Annual Cars & Cocktails Fundraiser Throttles Past $500,000
by: Dan Pittman
Published: November 25, 2025
Among the classic cars at the event were a 1930 Cadillac, left, and a 1964 Porsche 356.
SANTA ANA...Nonprofit KidWorks throttled past $500 000 in donations earned at its Second Annual Cars & Cocktails: Funding a Foundation for Success, its reimagined Foundation for Success luncheon - https://kidworksoc.org/cars
Held November 13 in Irvine, the event was staged amid a curated collection of unique, rarely seen classic cars, including a Rolls Royce once owned by actress Elizbeth Taylor. Special cocktails served at the magic bar and exclusive liquor tastings, along with delicious food selections, desserts, and music performed by The New Originals band were all part of the high-octane evening.
A live auction for a Porsche Test Track experience and a Hot Rods & Handguns adventure drew many bidders and elevated the evening’s fundraising total. A matching donation challenge also encouraged attendees to raise their paddles. All funds raised directly benefit hundreds of KidWorks students, fueling first-generation college and career success and investing in the future leaders of Orange County.
KidWorks Advisory Council member and donor Patrick Donahue took the stage to talk about the longtime involvement he and his family have had with KidWorks and the many Foundation for Success luncheons they participated in. He talked about the origination of the Dan Donahue Center, which is named in honor of his late brother Dan, who was an esteemed friend and supporter of KidWorks.
He recounted how members of the local commercial real estate community joined forces for an event in Dan’s honor and raised over $1 million to purchase the original building.
Emily Mandrup, Dan Donahue Leadership Award winner, looks on as KidWorks Executive Director/CEO David Benavides, right, shows the audience one of the thank-you notes students attending the Bishop Manor Spoke Center wrote to her.
Fittingly, KidWorks then presented the Dan Donahue Leadership Award to ECM Management, a land development and construction management services company, and its founder Emily Mandrup, who is KidWorks’ board chair and an active volunteer.
This award recognizes KidWorks’ most dedicated supporters who share the organization’s passion and commitment to equipping students growing up in Orange County’s most under-resourced neighborhoods to lead lives of influence and positively impact their community.
“We were delighted to honor Emily and her company with the Dan Donahue Leadership Award,” said KidWorks Executive Director/CEO David Benavides. “As champions of KidWorks for nearly two decades, she and her company truly embody the spirit of this award.”
Mandrup took the opportunity to acknowledge the many companies and others who helped renovate KidWorks’ newest factify, the Bishop Manor Spoke Center that recently reopened.
Members of the Cars & Cocktails event committee included Adrian Montero, Andy Bratt, David Salisbury, Kate Seabaugh, Sean Chaffins, and Steven Miranda.
Here were the event’s sponsors. The event’s Presenting Sponsors were American Career College & West Coast University, and the Paula and Pat Donahue Family Foundation. The Platinum Sponsors were ADEP Precision Contracting, ECM Management, Oltmans Construction Co., and Saddleback Roofing.
Gold Sponsors include Anonymous, C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, The Frome Family Foundation, Todd Goodman, Heidi and Ruben Mendoza, Schriber Family Fund, Kyle and David Team/Waypoint Property Group, and Wheeler Family Foundation. The Bar Sponsors were Air Control Systems and Johnson Plumbing. The Dessert Sponsor was JFK Transportation. The Lanyard Sponsor was U.S. Bank.
Silver Sponsors included Deloitte, Mary Kay and Mike Groff, PREMIER Design + Build Group, PTS Marketing, Steve and Stephanie Rados, Reimer & Braunstein LLP, and Walker & Dunlop, Wells Fargo, and Roy E. Whitehead, Inc., Rideshare Sponsors are Trish and Guy Johnson and StrikeWorks. The Band Sponsors were Merrill Lynch and he Julian Miranda Group.
Bronze sponsors were MPCO Contracting, Inc. BCC Contracting, Inc., Bomel Construction, Botros Mobile Solutions, Carrazco Law & Mendiola Settlement Consultants, City National Bank, Collaborative Therapies, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Fifth Third Ban, First Citizens Bank, Fullmer Construction., Gantry, IDI Logistics, John & Arlene Ing, Langan CA, Inc, . Panattoni Development Company, Inc. REDA, PNC Bank, Rutan & Tucker LLP, Sharon Kline, Shea Properties and Shea Homes, Smith and Severson Builders, and Stuart Kane LLP.
From preschool to university, 30-year-old KidWorks provides students in under-resourced neighborhoods in central Santa Ana with holistic programs and experiences to become leaders both in and out of the classroom.
KidWorks goes the extra mile for the community, creating an environment for youth to unleash their potential with mentorship and leadership development resources for the entire family. Its diverse programs, coupled with intentional guidance, fuel internal growth and set KidWorks students up for a meaningful and fulfilling future and career. For over 10 years, 100% of KidWorks seniors have graduated high school on time and continued to higher education.
Photos:Ann Chatillon