Premier Nonprofit Olive Crest Raises Over $1 Million And Celebrates 50 Years of Serving Children and Families in Crisis

Everyone present was an invested member of the Olive Crest family. The testimonials from adults who found family within Olive Crest’s care as a child did not leave a dry eye in the house, with cheers erupting from the crowd when Diana shared that her children and herself were currently enrolled in college—the importance of Olive Crest’s work. “One Life At A Time”® . . . was emphasized over and over again throughout the evening.

The surprise of the evening was a $200,000 matching pledge by Bill Potter, Managing Member of Message Broadcast of Newport Beach, who is also a member of the Olive Crest Board of Directors. This, combined with the successful and robust silent auction, raised over $1 million in support of Olive Crest that evening.

Mickie Sharp-Villanueva, Dr. David & Mrs. Diana Casey, Diane Sanders, Joe Asher, Chuck & Lorraine Clegern, Stan & Jessica Morrison, Dr. James & Mrs. Lorraine Britton, Sue Pebley, Henry & Karen Pritchett, and Daniel & Sarah Zia.

By Madeline Zuckerman

Olive Crest recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary at a Gala Celebration with 1,200 guests from each State and Region Olive Crest serves. This included guests and honorees from the Coachella Valley and Riverside. Attendees gathered together from all over the country to highlight the vision of Olive Crest Founders Dr. Don and Lois Verleur and to reflect on the expansive reach of which Olive Crest has grown over the years. In addition, dedicated supporters of Olive Crest’s National and seven regional branches were honored alongside top supporters from the food industry, an industry partnership that Olive Crest cultivated 33 years ago.

The night began with a crowd-pleasing 1970s medley performance from Imagination Entertainment, paying homage to the tunes of 50 years ago.

Olive Crest CEO, Donald Verleur II, presided over this heartfelt night while Perry King, Actor, Olive Crest National

Spokesman, and Olive Crest Trustee, served as the evening’s host. King recognized the event’s Title Sponsor, Northgate Gonzålez Market, represented by their Executive Vice President, Mike Hendry. Dr. Don and Lois Verleur were given a standing ovation from the entire ballroom in recognition and gratitude for their vision which began in 1973.

“For The Kids” was echoed by every supporter who took the stage during this glorious celebration that evening.

Imagination Entertainment performed several more medleys in recognition of all the decades of Olive Crest’s mission. Before the 2000s assortment began the dance party, Executive Directors from each of Olive Crest’s branches stepped forward to recognize the numerous recipients of the Founder’s Award, Olive Crest’s highest honor given to those who have contributed significantly to Olive Crest through distinguished humanitarian contributions, leadership, and personal dedication. Recipients of the 2023 Founder’s Awards were James Woodside, Dave Grosse,

During the elegant VIP Reception, Olive Crest’s Executive Team handed out the Champion Of Children Awards to individuals who exemplify Olive Crest’s values to recognize them for their passionate and faithful support to provide resources and awareness to further Olive Crest’s mission. Recipients of the 2023 Champion of Children Awards were Jill Muckenthaler, Seth Cohen, Scott Drew, Rocco Farello, Jerry Forbis, Rob McDougall, Lupillo Ramirez, Richard Wardwell, Russ Warnick, Steve Bernardy, Paul Cannon, Friends Church of Yorba Linda, Tommy Bahama Newport Beach, Gretchen Valentine of Rancho Santa Margarita, Rachel & Kevin Bechler, Erin Burke, Mae Nelson, Pacific Crossroads Church Los Angeles, Debbie Presson, Spyro Costopoulos, Jennifer Ronquillo, Sean Harns, Roy & Carrie Watson, George & Nancy DeVries, and the Chiles Foundation Santa Barbara. Olive Crest serves 5000 children and families daily throughout the western United States. For information, please call 800–550–CHILD (2445) or visit www.olivecrest.org