Challenge Event Raises $5,000 for South Coast Medical Center

Ten local businesses and more than 50 friends participated in this summer’s first annual “Aliso Creek Challenge.” Proceeds from the day on the Aliso Creek Inn Golf Course benefited South Coast Medical Center.

Take a surprisingly challenging course, add event stations such as a Giant Water Ball Launch, Beach Ball Golf, Monster Rockets, Blongo and Horseshoes, coupled with four closest to the pin holes (which participants had the option of using a golf club, a tennis racquet or just tossing a ball onto the green to qualify), and you have an event unlike any other.

“Because South Coast Medical Center is such a vital part of our community, we felt it was time to create a fun event and raise money for the hospital,” said Caroline Haines, vice president of Laguna Escrow Services, one of the event organizers.

“This was our first challenge event. After all was said and done, we raised $5,000 for SCMC. My hope is next summer we can double this amount,” she added.

Those responsible for sponsoring the challenge included Caroline Haines, Karen Crosbie and Sandra Hartness of Laguna Escrow Services Inc., Jerry Bieser and Ken Williams of Chicago Title, Chris Williams of Washington Mutual, Alex Del Toro and Peter Giammarinaro of The Termite Guy, David Meekma of Mold-Tek, Rick Yeager of Building Specs Inc., John Campbell of John Campbell Insurance, Sheri Bieber and Candy Babcock of First American Natural Hazard Disclosures and Sandra Hartness of Asset Services Inc.

In addition, J.D. Blashaw and Kevin O’Connell of the Aliso Creek Inn & Golf Course graciously donated the beverage cart, employees, soft drinks and water.

Attending from the hospital to help with the event were Kate Mullins, Assist. Executive Director of the SCMC Foundation, Kate Tschudin, the hospital’s Community Relations and Physicians Relation Manager, and volunteers Thelma Machlin, Don Brooks, Sibyl Wilson and Carole Benz.

South Coast Medical Center offers a variety of new programs and services to better serve the residents of Laguna Beach, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Laguna Niguel and Aliso Viejo.

Founded in 1959, South Coast Medical Center is a 208-bed facility located in Laguna Beach.

In 1998, the medical center joined Adventist Health, a not-for-profit, health system operating in California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington.

Posted 8/24/07