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When she was five years old, Julie (Juliana) Villanueva first stepped into a KidWorks’ classroom as a preschool student. Now a freshman business major at Orange Coast College, Julie overflows… Continue Reading
KidWorks lost a treasured friend with the passing of Coach Terry Donahue, the legendary UCLA football coach, last summer. Now, we have the privilege of honoring his life and many contributions to KidWorks at the 2022 Foundation for Success luncheon this November.
Coach Donahue was known as a man of faith, family and football—in that order. He is revered by countless football fans as the winningest coach in Pac 12 and UCLA history. During his career he coached 34 first-team All-American players, including future Pro Football Hall of Famers Troy Aikman, Jonathan Ogden and Kenny Easley.
“Coach was not only a football legend who inspired his players, he and his family are also legends at KidWorks,” says David Benavides, KidWorks CEO and Executive Director.
He served as a member of the KidWorks board of directors and later the Advisory Council.
Coach Donahue was quoted as saying, “Opportunity is a precious gift. How often we give it to others, and how we respond when it is given to us, can define our lives. ”
He strongly believed that education is a great equalizer and would provide countless opportunities for students at KidWorks. This led him to co-found the Foundation for Success Luncheon alongside his brother, Pat Donahue.
Coach Donahue was instrumental in securing top notch speakers for the event, including John Wooden, Bill Walton and rival USC Coach John Robinson.
Since its inception, the luncheon has raised over $7 million seven million dollars for KidWorks after school programs. Funds from the luncheon has enabled hundreds of KidWorks students the opportunity to pursue their academic dreams of college and beyond.
“Every student who walks through our doors and participates in our programs benefits from what the Donahue family helped make possible. And like all legacies, their family’s positive impact will extend to generations of KidWorks students yet to come,” says David.
The 16th Annual KidWorks Foundation for Success Luncheon is Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Santa Ana DoubleTree Hotel.
The event provides the majority of the funding for academic support, character formation and leadership development programs that empower students from under-resourced communities on their journey from Pre-K through their college years.
The 2022 luncheon will be an in-person event for the first time since 2019 due to the pandemic. Making this year’s event even more meaningful is it will feature a panel of Coach Donahue’s former players:
Adds David, “We miss Coach and will always share the legacy of the Donahue family with future generations at KidWorks. Our 2022 Foundation for Success luncheon is the perfect opportunity to do exactly that.
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