Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group Receives “Big Heart” Award and $10,000 Gift from the Samueli Foundation
 Dr. Henry Samueli, Nancy Baumann, Pete Hammer and Dr. Susan Samueli photographed after presenting the "Big Heart" award to the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group at the luncheon on Dec 12, 2011. Photo Credit: Caren Findlay |
DANA POINT, CA (DECEMBER 2011) - The Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group, a non-profit organization, announced that it just received the “Big Heart” award and $10,000 grant donation from the Samueli Foundation to help sustain and perpetuate their outreach efforts which support the Fighting Fifth Marines and their families, whether deployed or here at Camp Pendleton.
"It was with a great deal of delight, and as an intended surprise, that I learned from Maggie Scherer - Samueli Foundation Staff and our CPA Nancy Baumann that I was invited to a luncheon as a guest of Drs. Henry & Susan Samueli, Founders of the Samueli Foundation. When we arrived, we were informed that our Dana Point 5th MAR organization was 1 of 7 outstanding Orange County Agencies serving the Community and World with creative, sustainable and entrepreneurial programs to be honored with the “Big Heart" award and a Donation of $10,000. What a great honor!,” said Pete Hammer, President of the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group. “This is a wonderful gift for the 5th Marines, their wives and children that we serve. The funds will enable our Support Organization to offer an even greater level of Care and Comfort to those who are so deserving.”
In line with making a difference in the Orange County, the Samueli Foundation developed the "Big Heart" Award. At the end of each year during the holiday season, the staff invites a group of unsuspecting local nonprofit executive directors to lunch. The Samuelis host the luncheon and ask each invited guest to take a few minutes to share their program's work with the others. At the end of the luncheon, Dr. Susan Samueli hands the guests a thank you letter for coming together with a check for $10,000. Since its inception Big Heart has provided more than $250,000 to the local safety net providers of Orange County. For more information, please visit Samueli.org.
ABOUT DANA POINT 5th MARINE REGIMENT SUPPORT GROUP - The specific charitable purpose of our Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is to provide Support and Assistance to the Children, Dependents & Spouses, and our Marines & Sailors that comprise the 5th MAR, whether deployed in combat or stationed at Camp Pendleton. In accordance with this trust, the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group strives to maintain the level of morale of our Troops and Families at as high a threshold as possible. As a "Boots On The Ground" Operation, we take care of our Marines & Sailors and their Families as if they were one of our own. To donate, volunteer or to learn more about the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group, please visit DanaPoint5thMarines.com or call them at 949-378-7984.
