South Coast Plaza is a global shopping destination known throughout the world for their unique blend of luxury boutiques and fine dining. Here in Orange County, South Coast Plaza is also renowned for their deep ties to the local community and their charitable giving. Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, Co-Managing Partner at C.J. Segerstrom and Sons (owner of South Coast Plaza) says, “Philanthropy, and giving back was a strong message bestowed upon my siblings and me by our parents, Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom.
Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, Co-Managing Partner at C.J. Segerstrom and Sons
One of South Coast Plaza’s most high profile community events is the Festival of Children, which was launched in 2002, with 53 Orange County charities including Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County (CASA OC.) Sandy said, “The Festival of Children was an opportunity for Orange County charities to bring their mission, their programs, and their needs to the public. It was the beginning of an annual event that has grown significantly through the years, as we now plan our 23rd Annual Festival of Children for this September!”
Sandy continued, “In 2003, to make our commitment to serving children more dynamic, I founded the Festival of Children Foundation and still serve as the Executive Director. Our mission is to bring together a national community of children’s charitable organizations of all shapes and sizes to collaborate, share knowledge, and ultimately, roll up their sleeves and work together to improve the lives of children.” The Foundation now partners with about 480 member charities across the country.
“CASA OC has been with us every step of the way and is one of only ten local nonprofits that have participated in the Festival of Children every year since its inception. We have tremendous respect and admiration for the outstanding work CASA does in communities throughout the country. Their advocates for the children in our foster system go above and beyond to make sure youth have a voice in determining their future, and the tools and support they need to achieve success,” said Sandy.
Debra Gunn Downing, South Coast Plaza’s Executive Director of Marketing, said, “The philanthropic community in Orange County is robust and South Coast Plaza recognizes the responsibility entrusted to us to give back. We convey the same message to our retailers about the importance of supporting causes in the community and the impact it will have in changing lives.”
Friends of CASA Members at the Givenchy In-Store Shopping Event in October 2023
One of the most high-profile ways they do this is through the annual Friends of CASA Holiday Luncheon which takes place every December. South Coast Plaza is deeply involved in this annual fundraising event, which has been named one of the Top Annual Luncheons by the Orange County Business Journal. Each year, South Coast Plaza selects the luncheon’s Fashion Partner which curates and styles the much-anticipated runway event. In addition, South Coast Plaza, along with several retailers, donate multiple high-end gifts to the Holiday Luncheon's luxury silent auction which is a major source of revenue for the event.
This year’s Fashion Partner will be Bally and their management team is hard at work preparing for this marquis event. A Bally representative said, “CASA has such an incredible reputation in terms of what they do for the community and the children they serve. We are so grateful to have this opportunity to partner with them.”
South Coast Plaza will partner with Bally and the CASA team to bring the fashion presentation to life. Together they will coordinate logistics for 24+ models who will be showcasing the current Bally collection. Lighting, music, color scheme and flowers are all coordinated to align with the Bally aesthetic. All 500 guests in attendance will be treated to a special Bally branded gift.
Holiday Luncheon attendees will have the opportunity to shop at a Bally pop-up store where items like leather jackets and handbags will be available with holiday gift wrapping. South Coast Plaza’s Debra Gunn Downing said, “The retailers understand the magnitude of this partnership. and what it means not only to their business, but to our local community and Orange County youth in the foster system. The work that CASA does is extraordinary and it is an honor for our retailers to have the opportunity to play a part in raising critical funds to help improve lives.”
CASA OC Chief Development Officer, Erika Pedersen said, "Our partners at South Coast Plaza continue to show up for CASA year after year, connecting us with luxury fashion houses for the Friends of CASA Holiday Luncheon, stewarding in-store shopping parties and supporting our events through sponsorships and silent auction donations. We are so grateful for the South Coast Plaza team and the many retailers who partner with CASA to raise awareness and funds for youth in foster care."
The next South Coast Plaza in-store event for CASA will take place at Bally on November 13th. According to a Bally spokesperson, “This will be a great way to kick-off our partnership for the Friends of CASA Holiday Luncheon. There will be light bites and champagne and we will be showcasing our new spring collection.”
Sandy Segerstrom Daniels sums up the multi-layered partnership between South Coast Plaza, the Festival of the Children Foundation and CASA OC by saying, “There is nothing I value more than a loyal, first class friendship and partnership, and that is what we have with CASA.”