Vacation Resorts: Artisans and Travel in Mexico

Art & Creativity for Healing Raises More than $100,000 at Sixth Annual "Palette of Colors: Celebration of Turquoise"

Laguna Niguel, Calif. (PRWEB) May 22, 2008 -- Art & Creativity for Healing, Inc., a non-profit organization that facilitates fine art classes and workshops for children, teens and adults suffering from abuse, illness and grief, today announced that it raised more than $100,000 at its sixth annual "Palette of Colors" Celebration Dinner and Auction. An evening dedicated to art, philanthropy and friendship in celebration and support of Art & Creativity for Healing, Inc., the event took place on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at Balboa Bay Club & Resort in Newport Beach.

"The outpouring of generosity from the 275 people who attended 'Palette of Colors: Celebration of Turquoise' this year is truly a blessing to our organization," said Laurie Zagon, founder/director of Art & Creativity for Healing. "We are still a relatively small organization that has gone from serving 1,000 individuals during our first year, to more than 18,000 over a span of eight years. Our ability to continue to grow is largely dependent on the support we receive from the corporations and individual donors who made 'Palette of Colors' possible, and with the proceeds this event alone, we will be able to serve an additional 1,000 children and adults suffering from abuse, illness, grief and stress during 2008."

The evening's program featured a presentation of the "Big Heart Awards." This year, Art & Creativity for Healing honored four outstanding individuals, corporations and community partners for exceptional service to Art & Creativity for Healing:

* Outstanding Individual: Sandra Bohi, Art & Creativity for Healing Chair Emeritus, entrepreneur and philanthropist, San Clemente, Calif.

* Outstanding Corporate Partner: Michelle Whiting & Associates

* Outstanding Community Partner: Families and Communities Together (FaCT), a partnership of the Orangewood Children's Foundation & Orange County Social Services Agency

* Outstanding Community Ambassador: Wendy Yamagishi, Managing Director, Anaheim Ducks

"Palette of Colors: Celebration of Turquoise" guests enjoyed a complimentary champagne reception sponsored by A La Carte Catering and Babcock Winery & Vinyards; a three-course dinner; music by "2000 LBS OF BLUES," a renowned Orange County Blues Band that performs regularly at The Renaissance, Tiajuana's, Khoury's, Harvelles and Huntington Beach's Martini Blues; dancing; and, live and silent auctions featuring fine art, jewelry, travel and spa packages, tickets to local theatres, sporting events, and more.

Among the most unique auction items were a cocktail party for the 20 guests, at A La Carte Gourmet Restaurant on Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach; "Spiritual Focus," an acrylic on canvas painting by Laurie Zagon; a "Canadian Trip" featuring round-trip airfare for two and three-night stays at the Fairmont Banff Springs and the Fairmont Chateau Louise, both in Alberta, Canada; a "Saks Fifth Avenue Chicago Shopping Spree" featuring a $1,000 gift card, fashion consultant, lunch, a four-night stay at the Hyatt Regency, McCormick Place in Chicago and round-trip airfare for two; and, a "Hot Air Balloon Adventure" including a two-night hotel stay at more than 150 locations in the United States.

Program scholarships at "Palette of Colors: Celebration of Turquoise" made up nearly a quarter of event proceeds. During the evening, guests were given an opportunity to sponsor a child participating in the "Bedside Visiting Art Angel Program" at Children's Hospital Orange County (CHOC); "Art for Healing Bereavement" workshops for children; and Phoenix Academy of Orange County "Art for Healing" workshops. Sponsorships range from $55 to $135 each.

"Palette of Colors: Celebration of Turquoise" was sponsored by Four Star Distribution (Turquoise) and David and Rosemarie Kuhn (Platinum). Gold level sponsors were Capital Group Companies, Michelle Whiting & Associates; Denis and Donna Walp; Monex Precious Metals; Erica Rosas and Sterling Carpet & Flooring. Silver sponsors for the event were Families and Communities Together (FaCT), a partnership between Orangewood Children's Foundation and Orange County Social Services; Hoag Hospital and Lean Quality Systems, Inc. Bronze sponsors were John and Michelle Kay, and Robert and Sara Winokur.

Art & Creativity for Healing covers all administrative costs through revenue from its teacher training programs, 100 percent of the funds raised at the 2008 "Palette of Colors: Celebration of Turquoise" will be used to support free Art & Creativity for Healing workshops for children including those that Art & Creativity for Healing offers in collaboration with FaCT Orange County; Children's Hospital Orange County (CHOC); "Art for Healing Bereavement"; and Phoenix Academy of Orange County.

About Art & Creativity for Healing

Founded in 2000, Art & Creativity for Healing Inc. is a non-profit public corporation committed to helping children, teens and adults process their feelings of grief, illness or stress using the venue of painting on canvas. Art & Creativity for Healing provides free classes taught by Founder/Director Laurie Zagon and her team of highly qualified facilitators on-site at hospitals and non-profit community organizations.

Through programs offered in collaboration with more than 35 hospitals, treatment facilities and non-profit agencies, Art & Creativity for Healing has facilitated "Art for Healing" workshops more than 18,000 children and adults in the Southern California region since it was founded. The Zagon Method of Art & Creativity for Healing was originally developed by Zagon in New York in 1987 as a workshop designed to help busy Wall Street executives deal with stress.

Zagon and Art & Creativity for Healing's Board of Directors actively raise funds throughout the year by soliciting individuals, corporations and foundations for gifts

and donations.

Art & Creativity for Healing Inc. is located at 26087 Getty Drive in Laguna Niguel, Calif. For more information, please call (949) 367-1902 or visit our Website at www.art4healing.org.

(http://art4healing.org)

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