Child Abuse Prevention Center’s Annual Bright Futures Fundraiser to Honor Local Champions of Children

ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Child Abuse Prevention Center, Orange County’s leading not-for-profit exclusively aimed at preventing child abuse, will host its 18^th Annual Bright Futures Celebration Gala on April 9, 2016 at 6:00 PM at the St. Regis Resort in Dana Point, Calif.

The Bright Futures Celebration unites Orange County business and community leaders for an evening of entertainment and giving. Over the past 18 years, more than 5,400 guests have participated in the celebrations and helped raise critical funds to help local children.

This year’s gala theme – A Brilliant Night for Bright Futures – is all about diamonds and the clarity of the Center’s mission to prevent child abuse. All contestants are guaranteed a spectacular night of cocktails, dinner, entertainment, and auction. Donations for the silent and live auction will help raise funds for the programs and services that the Center provides to at-risk children and families. Any donation is appreciated, including merchandise, time shares, gift certificates, airline miles, vacation homes, etc.

The gala will also feature presentations to three local Champions of Children honorees:

• Mark Thompson, star of “Mark In The Morning” on 100.3 The Sound, Los Angeles’ #1 FM rock station, has been working in radio for 45 years and hosting morning radio for 35 years. His greatest achievement – and top priority – is his close knit family. Listeners feel like extended members of the Thompson family, having “witnessed” the growth of his three children, Matt, Amy and Katie who is following directly in her dad’s footsteps as a regular contributor to his radio program, billed as his “Chick on the Street.”
• Nithin Jilla is a young passionate educator, adventurer and social entrepreneur who champions educating and empowering the next generation of innovators. He received his B.S. in Computer Science from UC Irvine where he was a catalyst in kick starting AppJam+, a STEM education program. Nithin aspires to build systems that are sustainable, and empower the next generation of youth to become leaders in their local community. Currently, he spends his time building AppJam+ and focusing on philanthropy with a family foundation in OC.
• Bill and Bonnie Barrington are a significant and consistent force of good in the Newport Beach area, and have been for the past 40 years. Mr. Barrington served as CAPC’s board president during its very formative years, and has continued to serve by volunteering at summer picnics, adopting families, leading fundraising committees, and mentoring our staff. Few people have the breadth of positive influence that he has had. He typifies the ultimate volunteer and servant of the CAPC cause.

The Child Abuse Prevention Center is dedicated to serving at-risk children and families with programs that prevent and break the generational cycle of child abuse, teen pregnancy and family violence.

• Since 1983, the CAPC has served more than 300,000 Orange County children and parents.
• 91 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to fund programs.
• Last year, the Child Abuse Prevention Center helped over 40,000 children and parents.

“Child abuse affects everyone. Let’s continue to do something about it!” said Scott Trotter, executive director of the Child Abuse Prevention Center. “More than 120 children are reported as abuse victims in Orange County each day. Of these children, 78% are under the age of three. Abuse puts these vulnerable children at risk for mental illness, physical disability, molestation or death.”

Single tickets for the Bright Futures Celebration are $300. There are seven sponsorship levels ranging from $1,750 to $25,000, and more than a dozen different underwriting opportunities, priced from $750 to $5,000.

For tickets and sponsorship opportunities visit www.brightfutures4kids.org/Gala2016, call 714-543-5634 or e-mail [e-mail].

About The Child Abuse Prevention Center
The Child Abuse Prevention Center is dedicated to serving at-risk children and families in crisis. As Orange County’s leading not-for-profit organization focused exclusively on the prevention of child abuse, the early intervention programs of the Prevention Center have a documented record of working to prevent child abuse before it occurs. For more information please visit: www.BrightFutures4Kids.org or engage on Facebook at www.facebook.com/childabusepreventioncenter.