Event Recaps

2010 Orange County Dinner Auction Gala
5th Annual Dinner Auction & Texas Hold'em Tournament
5th Annual Megan Savage Memorial Run for a Cure
2009 Concert Under the Stars
4th Annual Dinner Auction & Texas Hold’em Tournament

2010 Orange County Dinner Auction Gala

Megan’s Wings hosted its first ever Orange County Dinner Auction Gala on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at the Carl Nolet Sr. Hospitality Center located at 30 Journey, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 .

The evening was a smashing success with over 100 guests attending raising nearly $30,000! Proceeds from this event funded a Leukemia Research Portfolio through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and replenished Megan’s Wings Child Outreach Program which provides aid to patients and their families who are in financial crisis as a result of their child’s treatment for cancer. Megan’s Wings has provided aid to hundreds of children and families in need in the last 5 years.

The Evening began with unlimited cocktail hour at 6:00 PM featuring Ketel One open bar specialty drinks and vodka tasting. Guests were treated to a spectacular dinner catered by Chef Azmin Ghahreman of Sapphire Laguna Restaurant while Co- Founder, Kim Savage of Megan’s Wings spoke about why she and her husband, Dave started Megan’s Wings 5 years ago after losing their daughter, Megan to Leukemia at the tender age of 9. Additional guest speakers included Anissa Ayala, a childhood Leukemia survivor & Business Development Director for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Phil Shahbaz, father of 3 year old Leukemia survivor, Jordan who shared their stories connecting guests personally to the realities of childhood cancer. The evening highlights included a fabulous live and silent auction, live entertainment with dancing and casino night! We look forward to next years event topping this one and hope you can join us for a great evening of giving in the OC!

5th Annual Dinner Auction & Texas Hold'em Tournament

Megan’s Wings Texas Hold’Em Dinner Auction – BIG Win!
Megan’s Wings Fifth Annual “Dinner Auction & Texas Hold’Em Tournament” on May 8th, 2010 was a BIG Win for the charity raising over $14,000 for Megan’s Wings Patient Aid Program which assist families who are in financial crisis due to their child’s treatment for cancer.

Over 100 people attended the “Evening of Giving” at the Double Tree Hotel in Claremont, CA which featured live entertainment during cocktail hour by musicians, Debi Raven & Gary Matsumoto. Guests were treated to a nice meal catered by the Double Tree while viewing a DVD presentation telling how & why Megan’s Wings Foundation was started and who Megan’s Wings helps. The presentation was created by a dear friend of Megan Savage’s before she passed away, Jacob Moncrief, who is a 16 year old sophomore at Damien High School. Guest Speakers for the night were Phil Shahbaz, father of Jordan, a 3 year old leukemia patient at LA Children’s Hospital and Dr. Agnes Horvath, Pediatric Oncologist at Fontana Kaiser Permanente. Both shared their experience with childhood cancer and how Megan’s Wings is making a difference in the lives of children with cancer. The evening included a fabulous live & silent auction, and friendly “Texas Hold’ Em” Tournament making the night profitable, memorable and fun!

Three Olympians were present in the guest list including Simon Arkell, 2-Time Olympic Australian Pole Vaulter, Brian Savage, Canadian Hockey Silver Medalist & 3-Time Olympian, Tom Hoff who lead the 2008 American Men’s Volleyball Team to GOLD in Bejjing. Hoff generously donated a volleyball training session along with a signed ball & jersey as a live auction item which was captured by Sydney Bast, a local up and coming volleyball teen! Hoff generously shared his gold medal all evening and all three Olympians were very accessible to guests making the evening extremely exciting! Local business owner, Chuck Atha of Main Street Signs in Ontario was the big winner of the Texas Hold’Em Tournament bringing home the $250 purse and other prizes for 1st place. The top five finishers went in the tournament home with prizes donated by local businesses.

Megan’s Wings Foundation and the Savage family were very happy with the proceeds raised especially in this challenging economy, and wish to thank all the patrons who attended the evening and local businesses who donated generously to make the evening a HUGE Success

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5th Annual Megan Savage Memorial Run for a Cure

5th Annual Dinner Auction & Texas Hold'em TournamentMegan’s Wings Texas Hold’Em Dinner Auction – BIG Win!

On September 26th, 2009 the 5th Annual Megan Savage Memorial Run for a Cure was a morning to remember, as nearly 800 participants joined in the 1K & 5K Run/Walk to make a difference for Childhood Cancer. Ninety children ran with determination and spunk in the 1K Kid’s Fun Run around McCarthy Park in Upland. Each child was a winner receiving a commemorative medal for their race! The 5K is a popular race for our local high school cross country teams, but the majority of the participants come for the cause – to make a difference in the search for a cure for childhood cancer. The event raised $31,000 and the top three finishers in each age category received a beautiful Megan’s Wings commemorative medal which features a butterfly, the foundations logo, in memory of Megan Savage whos life still touches many.

Proceeds from this event fund Megan’s Wings Adopt A Family for the Holidays Program and our Patient Outreach Program.

The Adopt A Family Program adopts families struggling through the holidays while their child receives treatment at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital, Kaiser Permanente Fontana Hospital or City of Hope. December is traditionally one of the most expensive months of the year for most families. Megan’s Wings gives families in crisis some extra help this time of year by providing a gas card, grocery card and clothing voucher for mom & dad and bringing each child gifts from their wish list! It’s a fabulous program bringing joy and hope to families in crisis.

The Child Outreach Program provides aid throughout the year to patients and their families who are in financial crisis as a result of their child’s treatment for cancer. Megan’s Wings has provided aid to hundreds of children and families in need since its inception, January 2005.

September is “Childhood Cancer Awareness Month”. This annual event brings awareness to childhood cancer and is an avenue of hope for individuals battling the disease and family members who want to do something in memory or honor of a loved one fighting cancer. It has become a community event which promotes “Health and Wellness”. Local band, King Heat entertained by runners & walkers crossed the finish line. Raffle & silent auction opportunities were donated by local businesses, and several set up vendor booths! Runners & walkers enjoyed a complimentary breakfast donated by local stores and restaurant.

The event continued with its special traditions started several years ago to connect participants to the cause. Each participant adds their thumbprint to the” Banners of Hope”. Volunteers turn the thumbprints into butterflies. The banners are taken to Children’s Hospitals in the area showing children with cancer all the people who care. 250 butterflies were again released under Megan’s tree and next to the new “Butterfly Garden” planted by childhood friend, Marissa Maynor who earned her gold award for the project. Childhood friend, Madison Shearer accompanied by Garrett Prater, sang “When She Smiles” in memory of her friend Megan. The butterfly release annually commemorates all those who have lost their life to cancer in a beautiful way.

Special thanks to all our supporters, sponsors & local businesses who help make this event possible each year. We hope to see you next year at our 6th Annual Megan Savage Memorial Run for a Cure scheduled for September 25th, 2010 at McCarthy Park in Upland, CA!

2009 Concert Under the Stars

Megan’s Wings was one of the children’s charities in the Inland Empire given the opportunity to participate again in the 2009 Concert Under the Stars series at the Herb Haffif Estate in the foothills of LaVerne,CA. By selling tickets to the events, Megan’s Wings raised over $4000 for the foundation. The Herb Haffif Foundation generously pays for all the expenses to host this spectacular summer concert series and local children’s charities reap the proceeds by simply selling tickets for $55 each.

This year’s concert series provided fun family friendly entertainment three weekends in the summer. Playing July 25th was Smooth Touch, a band which featured 70’s to 90’s dance music. August 1st highlighted Suave, a salsa, country western, top 40’s band. On August 8th, local band sensation, The Answer brought the crowd to their feet with their classic rock & roll.

Each evening, guests were treated to a spectacular picnic style dinner catered by Walter’s Restaurant in downtown Claremont. Guest Speakers included Herb Haffif, a notorious trial lawyer and inspirational philanthropist and children who have benefited by the Haffif Foundation’s generosity. Special thanks to the Herb Haffif Foundation for including Megan’s Wings in this wonderful summer event again in 2009! We look forward to selling tickets for the 2010concert series! For tickets information, please email: ksavage@meganswings.org.

4th Annual Dinner Auction & Texas Hold’em Tournament

At the Fourth Annual “Dinner Auction & Texas Hold’Em Tournament” on May 9th, 2009 Megan’s Wings raised over $15,000 for their Child Outreach Program & Leukemia Research Portfolio for children with cancer through The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Over 130 people attended the “Evening of Fun” at the Gibson Senior Center in Upland, CA, which featured live entertainment during cocktail hour by local musicians, Garrrett Prater & Ismael Loya. A BBQ-inspired dinner, fabulous live & silent auction, and friendly “Texas Hold’ Em” made the evening meaningful and memorable.

Almost $10,000 was raised during the Live Auction led by downtown Upland Auctioneer, Ray which included “A Private Suite” at Angel’s Stadium for 12 guests, a dinner for six at Spaggi’s Italian Restaurant prepared by Chef Henry Gonzalez, several Romantic Weekend Getaways and a “HOME PORTRAIT” by well known artist and teacher, Patrick Dooley.

The dinner menu included: Tri-tip and Barbequed Chicken, Baked Beans, Red Coleslaw Salad and Garlic Bread specially prepared by friends from Glendora Elk’s Lodge. Carrot Cake, Chocolate Chip Cookies donated by The Double Tree of Claremont and a Beautiful Fruit Bouquet donated by Edible Arrangements rounded out Dessert.

Kim and Dave Savage, Co-Founders of Megan’s Wings, gave welcoming remarks and emceed throughout the evening. Special guest speakers included Lymphoma Survivor, Virginia Garner, and Leukemia Survivor, Anissa Ayala with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Following the Auction, tables were set up for a friendly and fun tournament of Texas Hold ‘Em. The 1st place winner took home $200 cash. 2nd – 6th place won prizes donated by local merchants. The evening was a great success raising awareness and vital funds for Childhood Cancer Research.