It is with great joy that I announce that two of the Orange County Community Foundation’s most dedicated and generous donors, Dick and Mary Allen, have been selected to receive this year’s Outstanding Philanthropist Award by the Orange County chapter of the Association for Fundraising Professionals. Dick and Mary will receive this honor on November 18, 2009 at Orange County’s National Philanthropy Day luncheon. 
Dick and Mary Allen have served Orange County for decades as civic and charitable leaders. Their efforts and generosity have supported older adults, educated youth, provided access to quality healthcare, and fortified the local nonprofit sector. They have provided generous support to local nonprofits including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Orange County Council on Aging, St. Mark Presbyterian Church, Adult Day Services of Orange County (now the Alzheimer’s Family Services Center), M.I.N.D. Institute, and UCI Foundation, among others. Inspired to “do something” by their grandaughter’s diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes at the age of two, Mary and Dick made a heartfelt leadership gift to Hoag Hospital to establish The Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center. Just recently opened, the Center, in partnership with Children’s Hospital of Orange County, will provide multilingual and multicultural treatment, education and outreach to Orange County’s diverse populations who are affected by diabetes. More...