May 17, 2025
City National Grove of Anaheim
2200 East Katella Avenue
More than two million kids rely on CHOC each year—and the work of caring for them never stops and never slows down. In partnership with our generous community, we create a beacon of hope so kids can return to childhood’s joy and magic.
At the 16th annual CHOC Gala on Saturday, May 17, under the stars, you’ll hear stories of perseverance, triumph and hope made possible by the generosity of our donors and sponsors.
The CHOC Gala provides heartfelt help and hope for sick and injured children and families, even when they can’t pay for treatment or care. We care. Because of the community’s groundswell of kindness, our patients know they never walk alone on their medical journeys. That’s powerful.
Learn about where your gift goes.
Join our compassionate experts in preserving the magic of childhood.
See the impact of your generosity.
Hear real stories of hope and healing made possible by our community.
Join the village that supports CHOC kids.
Help us treat more patients, find better cures and send more kids home.
Defying odds and exuding courage
His risk of dying was greater than 90%, but Kenny Avendano persevered—and inspired his entire medical team.
“Honestly I think Kenny is the face of resilience,” says Michelle Greene, a licensed clinical social worker who once had many end-of-life discussions with Kenny’s mother, Shendi Hernandez.
Gala Co-Chairs
Stephanie Argyros
Gigi Kroll, M.D.
Caroline Marchant
Gala Executive Committee
Stephanie Argyros
Casey Beau Brown
Lili Daftarian
Niloofar Fakhimi
Monica Furman
Cary Hyden
Jennie Johanson-Maya
Leyla Milani Khoshbin
Heather Madden
Adrienne Matros, Psy.D.
Sirpa Selanne
Gala Event Committee
Stephanie Angelos
Zeina Collins
Tina Sadri, M.A., L.M.F.T.
Andrea Shurtz
Yeshin Tsao
Terri Watkins
“Dr. Andrew Shulman [rheumatology] is probably the best doctor my child has seen. He does not rush. He sits and talks to us. He listens. We are blessed to have him take care of our child.”
Anonymous
Grateful Family“From the staff in the emergency department, from admitting, all the way to the operating room—everybody was wonderful. All the nurses on the floor were very attentive and very, very helpful, making my child feel very at ease… I know the hospital is not always a very happy place to be, but everybody that we have encountered in our stay made it such a great experience.”
Anonymous
Grateful Family“Our job is for the kids not to know they’re in therapy—to make it fun and enjoyable. We help them figure out how to cope, adjust and thrive. We can’t change what happened to them, but we really influence how they work through their condition.”
Lauren Newhouse
CHOC Occupational TherapistWhy CHOC?
At CHOC, Long Live Childhood is our mantra. It is our rallying cry. We live it. We breathe it. We practice it. Every day. In every way. That’s why we’ve assembled a mighty brigade of nationally-recognized pediatric experts, premier facilities and generous donors dedicated to giving kids the best chance of growing into healthy and happy adults.
Contact Us
Use the button below for any general questions, and a member of the CHOC Gala team will get back to you as soon as possible. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to contact our event leads directly.
Event Details
Date and Location
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Parking
Complementary Valet
Event Questions
Barbie Lopez
Senior Associate Director, Community Engagement
(626) 393-0868 | BLopez@choc.org
Sponsorship Questions
Winnie Tran
Senior Director of Community Engagement, CHOC Foundation
714-509-4229 | wtran@choc.org
Are donations tax-deductible?
All monetary donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more information, please email foundation@choc.org.
Where should I mail donation checks?
Please mail all check donations to:
CHOC Foundation
1201 W. La Veta Avenue
Orange, CA 92868
Who should I make my check out to?
Please make all checks payable to the CHOC Foundation.
Can I mail in a cash donation?
We do not recommend using mail to send cash donations. Instead, you may drop off the cash at the CHOC Foundation along with your information. You can also deposit the cash into your checking account and send a personal check from your account.
What is CHOC Foundation’s tax ID number?
The CHOC Foundation tax ID number is 95-6097416.
How can I get a receipt for my donation?
If you donated online, you should receive an e-receipt to your email at the time of your donation. If you donated by mail or in person, a receipt will be mailed to your address. If you have not received a receipt, please call the Foundation office at (714) 509-8690.
Where is the CHOC Foundation located?
The CHOC Foundation’s physical address is
1120 West La Veta Ave
Orange, CA 92868
Our mailing address is
1201 West La Veta Ave
Orange, CA 92868
Where is CHOC’s donor privacy policy?
CHOC’s full privacy policy and Donor Bill of Rights can be found here.
Can I donate to CHOC through my donor-advised fund?
Yes, however, there may be some restrictions. Donor-advised funds are acceptable for straight donations, but there are restrictions on ticket sales, auction items, and sponsorships as they may provide goods or services. Please contact your donor-advised fund manager if you have any questions.
