Laura's House Announces 'Bahama Nights' Themed Gala

    LADERA RANCH, CA, August 08, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Laura's House, a Southern California nonprofit dedicated to the prevention and education of domestic violence, will host its 21st annual gala on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 5:30 p.m. at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach. Honorary Chairs Julia and George Argyros, along with presenting sponsors Laura Khouri and Michael K. Hayde, invite guests to this Bahamian-themed event to raise critical funds to support the nonprofit's emergency shelter, community programs and legal advocacy services provided to the Orange County community. Two honorees will be recognized with the Crystal Heart Award for their contributions to the organization's longevity and success - Robin McGraw, founder, When Georgia Smiled: The Robin McGraw Revelation Foundation and PIMCO, a leading investment management firm.

"Our annual gala is the most critical event on our calendar and is essential in moving our efforts forward to end the silence of domestic violence," said Margaret Bayston, Laura's House CEO and Executive Director. "We are excited to welcome all those committed to helping us end the cycle of abuse, and we look forward to treating guests to a memorable, Caribbean-inspired evening around an important cause."

In the United States, 1.3 million women are victimized by domestic violence each year. Since 1994, Laura's House has responded to the needs within the local community and beyond and helped rebuild the lives of thousands of families affected by domestic violence. In the past five years, the nonprofit has more than doubled its community impact through programs and services, including a 24/7 hotline, emergency shelter for women and children, transitional housing, community resource center, legal advocacy and H.E.A.R.T. (Healthy Emotions and Attitudes in Relationships for Teens).

Guests will begin their island adventure with a cocktail reception, silent auction and wine wall display, followed by a dinner program, live auction and awards presentation. Award-winning journalist Carolyn Johnson of NBC4 Southern California will emcee the event. Johnson will join 2015 Honorary Event Chairs and prominent Orange County philanthropists Julia and George Argyros, who donated $1 million to Laura's House, at the gala. Global, multimillion-dollar jewelry brand Kendra Scott also will unveil a custom Laura's House necklace to be worn by McGraw and Johnson at the gala and auctioned off during the evening - with proceeds benefitting Laura's House.

2015 gala honorees include:

• Robin McGraw, founder, When Georgia Smiled: The Robin McGraw Revelation Foundation and wife of Dr. Phil McGraw. McGraw is a philanthropist, television personality and best-selling author who is dedicated to creating and advancing programs that help women and children affected by domestic violence live healthier and safer lives. In 2014, McGraw's foundation awarded its first grant of $50,000 to Laura's House. The donation supported the expansion of the nonprofit's legal advocacy program.
• PIMCO, one of the world's leading investment management firms, has been a longtime supporter of the Laura's House mission to end the silence of domestic violence. Since 2003, the company has provided Laura's House with critical funding and volunteer support to ensure local programs and services are available to Orange County residents.

Presenting sponsors for the 2015 gala are Laura Khouri, president of Western National Property Management and Laura's House Board member, and Michael K. Hayde, CEO and chairman of the board of Western National Group. Additional sponsors include: Donna & Dick Pickup, The Jacqueline Glass Family, Haskell & White LLP, Park Newport Apartments, PIMCO, When Georgia Smiled: The Robin McGraw Revelation Foundation and Casey and Tim Wolin. Individual tickets are $250, and table sponsorship opportunities start at $3,500. For additional information, visit https://www.laurashouse.org/gala.

About Laura's House

The mission of Laura's House is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.

For more than 20 years, Laura's House has served those whose lives have been affected by domestic violence. Over the past two decades, Laura's House has provided shelter and support services to more than 4,000 battered women and children and counseling, life skills education and legal assistance to nearly 50,000 people. Connect with Laura's House on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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