Henry Walker, Chairman of Farmers & Merchants Bank (left) and Nick Jordan, Founder and CEO of Wells of Life (right), honors philanthropists Art & Gaye Birtcher (center) with a humanitarian award

Co-Chairs Michelle Jordan (left), Jacqueline Dupont Carlson (center) and Rosemary Sperry (right) thank Stuart Winston (center) of the Lugano Diamonds CMO for sponsoring the event

Wells of Life donors and gala attendees: philanthropists Donna and Dick Pickup (left), Legacy Circle members Mai Huynh and John McMahon (center), well donor Erin Walker (right)

California-based nonprofit honors the art of local philanthropist and Gaye Birtcher at annual 2021 Legacy Gala

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, USA, November 19, 2021 /EINPresswire.com/ – Wells of Life, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit dedicated to providing safe, clean water to the people of Uganda, announced that she raised a record $ 1.82 million to fund drinking water wells at her recent annual Legacy Circle gala for top Orange County business leaders and philanthropists.

Donations hit a record high at the 2021 Legacy Circle Gala, held on November 4, 2021 at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach, surpassing a previous goal of $ 1.4 million.

“Previously we had the noble goal of raising $ 1.4 million in donations, but thanks to the generosity of those present we set a record of $ 1.82 million,” said Nick Jordan, Founder and CEO from Wells of Life, noting that the impressive sum came from just 85 attendees, for an average of $ 21,000 per guest.

“Wells of Life celebrated our most successful year ever. We have provided safe drinking water to over 700 rural communities in Uganda since 2010. Thanks to our generous donors, we are leading by example in improving access to water in previously forgotten villages. We invite everyone to join us in this important work, creating a world with clean drinking water available to everyone – one person, one well and one village community at a time, ”Jordan said.

Wells of Life (WOL) is a Christian non-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life in rural Ugandan communities by drilling wells and providing water, sanitation and hygiene education. to create sustainable access to water. Since its founding in 2009, WOL has drilled 617 wells and restored 136 wells, changing lives immeasurably.

Co-chaired by philanthropist Jacqueline Dupont-Carlson, Michelle Jordan and Rosemary Sperry, the black gala was made possible with the support of the event’s sponsors, Lugano Diamonds and Farmers and Merchants Bank. Linda Young and Elite OC Productions coordinated a beautiful event to delight everyone in attendance. (See the list of notable participants below.)

Dr Dupont-Carlson said that attendees at this year’s gala “helped create health, hope, running water and a helping hand to lift the poorest communities out of poverty. ‘Uganda’.
“In our hearts, we know that you will help us raise and even save the life of another human being,” said Dupont-Carlson, who also serves on the board of directors of WOL.

The gala included video presentations to support WOL’s groundbreaking work as well as awards to outstanding people for their support.
Henry Walker, Honorary Member of Legacy and Chairman of Farmers and Merchants Bank, presented this year’s “Humanitarian Award” to Art and Gaye Birtcher for their distinguished generosity for over a decade.

“Wells of Life builds bridges of hope for those who lack this most fundamental part of life – clean, safe water,” Walker said. “Art and Gaye Birtcher are to be congratulated for their outstanding support for this important cause. “

During the awards ceremony, Wells of Life President Pete Callahan presented this year’s Gala Servant Leadership Award to Sister Joan Hogan, a humanitarian and social influencer and board member of WOL.

“Like Pope Francis, Sister Joan lives by example and exemplifies both dedication and compassion to alleviating poverty through access to clean and safe drinking water,” said Callahan.

“I am honored to be recognized for my work, but let us not forget how much can still be done to help the poor, especially those in Uganda,” said Sister Joan Hogan. “For them, every drop of water counts and every second counts.”

“I keep being amazed by the influx of support we receive from Southern California and beyond. The people of this community have a good heart, I really believe that. And tonight they proved it, ”said Nick Jordan, reflecting on the outpouring of goodwill that accompanied the evening.

He noted that Wells of Life has done its part to recognize the influx of support from Southern California, dedicating life-changing wells to prominent LA residents, such as Well # 524, built in the memoir of Kobe and Gianna Bryant.

Los Angeles Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant tragically passed away with his daughter in early 2020.

“Kobe has brought so much good to this city, and we’ve chosen to honor that in the most poetic way possible – by continuing to do good works in its memory,” Jordan said.

Other wells dedicated to prominent citizens include:
● Well # 600 dedicated to Charlie, Pam and Austin Hedges, who started his professional career as a wide receiver with the San Diego Padres, and is now with the Cleveland Indians
● Restoration of well n ° 44 dedicated to the famous actor / comedian Robin Williams
● Well n ° 493 well dedicated to Bishop David O’Connell, pastoral region of San Gabriel
● Well # 133 well dedicated to Pope Francis, who shares WOL’s passion for global drinking water rights

“Wells of Life is a movement for change, where we bring together every person, every school, every church, every community and every business and everyone is ready to take this position in action, not in words. This year’s successful gala was our best yet. I am very proud of our team and the substantial work we have done – which sets the stage for even more spectacular things to come, ”said Jordan.

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Photos of the event: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2x4f138pi6cdcg1/AABRj1w6mSBa0Yrgqk5RzF_2a?dl=0

Notable participants:
Marc Carlson and Jacqueline Dupont Carlson – Philanthropists
Moti & Idit Ferder – Founders of Lugano Diamonds
Steve Oedekerk – Film Producer
Alaina Stamos – Philanthropist
Rand & Rosemary Sperry – Philanthropists
Keleigh Teller – model and wife of Miles Teller (actor)
Henry Walker – Chairman of Farmers & Merchants Bank
David Flattum – Managing Director of PIMCO
Dick & Donna Pickup – Philanthropists
John McMahon & Mai Huynh – Philanthropists
Sister Joan Hogan, CHF – Servant Leader Award Winner
Burton & Linda Young – Managing Partner and Philanthropist of Elite OC
Art & Gaye Birtcher – Humanitarian of the Year award winners and philanthropists

Nick jordan
Well of life
+1 855-935-5763
[email protected]
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