Community & Clubs: Interfaith Council celebrates ‘Bridge Builders’

As part of its Open Faiths-Open Doors Week, the Newport-Mesa-Irvine Interfaith Council honored seven individuals, a congregation and two groups with “Bridge Builder Awards” for their leadership in promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding, according to a news release from the council.

Among the honorees at the dinner were Eman Bermani of the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County for promoting a better and peaceful understating of Islam amongst the interfaith community; Jean Forbath, founder of Share Our Selves; Sande Hart, founder of Spiritual and Religious Alliance for Hope, an organization that brings women of all faiths together; Nancy Jenks, executive director of UCI Interfaith, which has been a safe harbor for students, staff and faculty to peacefully congregate and practice their faith; Dennis Short, leader of the Interfaith Hunger Walk, which has raised more than $427,689 in the past 20 years to feed the hungry; Beth Syverson, of the Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, who founded the Interfaith Children’s Choir; and Tom Thorkelson, with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who is the co-founder of the Orange County Interfaith Network.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Newport Beach Stake, was recognized for its 10-year sponsorship of Hearts and Hands and day of hands on interfaith service to the community. The Olive Tree Initiative, a student group at UC Irvine, was honored for being an important hub for bridge-building, dialogue and cooperation between students and student groups. Hoag Hospital’s Community Health Parish Nurse also was honored.

*

Hall of Fame luncheon

The third annual Daily Pilot Community and Clubs Hall of Fame luncheon will be held June 17 at the Newport Beach American Legion Post 291 to honor members of service clubs, community organizations and congregations for their service to youth, our communities and their respective organizations.

If you belong to a service club, community organization or a religious congregation involved in community service or service to the community’s youth, you can secure a nomination form by contacting Lane Calvert at (714) 546-8558x181 or via e-mail at lanec@oclfl.org, or from Jim de Boom at (949) 689-4443 or jdeboom@aol.com. Nominations are due by June 6.

Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach will serve as Master of Ceremonies, while the induction of honorees will be done by columnist Jim de Boom, Daily Pilot Editor John Canalis and City Editor Imran Vittachi. Luncheon tickets are $50 per person with proceeds from the event benefiting Exploring, a program of the Orange County Council of Boy Scouts of America.

*

Field of honor

The Exchange Club of Newport Harbor will host the second Field of Honor in conjunction with Armed Forces Day from May 20 to 23, at Castaways Park, East 16th Street and Dover Drive. As many as 1,776 flags will be flown to honor America’s servicemen and women. Opening ceremonies will be at noon May 20 at the park.

This event is free.

The public is invited to dedicate a flag in honor of a soldier, sailor, marine or airman. The cost is $45 per flag. For more information, call (949) 631-3567, or e-mail ExchangeFieldofHonor@yahoo.com. You can also visit the website at https://www.nhexchange.org.

*

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

You are invited to attend a service club meeting this coming week to learn more about opportunities for service. Most clubs will buy your first meal for you as you get acquainted with them.

*

WEDNESDAY

Noon: The Exchange Club of Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, 1601 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar.

5:15 p.m.: The 10-member Rotary Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Ramada Inn & Suites, 1680 Superior Ave., Costa Mesa. Visit https://www.costamesarotary.org.

6 p.m.: The 65-member Rotary Club of Newport Balboa meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for the annual Track Meet Awards program with Corona del Mar High School track Coach Bill Sumner as the speaker. Visit https://www.newportbalboa.org.

*

THURSDAY

7 a.m.: The 20-member Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club meets at Mimi’s Café, Newport and Harbor Boulevards, Costa Mesa.

Noon: The 45-member Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach-Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. For more information, visit https://www.newportbeachkiwanis.org.

The 95-member Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, this week for a program by Leo Fracalosy, “Youth of the Year Awards.” For more information, visit https://www.nhexchange.org.

The 40-member Kiwanis Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Costa Mesa Golf and Country Club, 1701 Golf Course Drive, Costa Mesa. For more information, visit https://www.costamesakiwanis.org.

The 65-member Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets at the University Club, 801 E. Peltason Drive, Irvine. Russell Turner, the UC Irvine basketball coach, will discuss the basketball season, team strategy and coaching, team recruiting, the Big West and UCI athletics. Visit https://www.ni-rotary.org.

*

TUESDAY

7:15 a.m.: The Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at the Sea Scout Base. Visit https://www.newportbeachsunriserotary.org.

COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Wednesdays. Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655 or by e-mail to jdeboom@aol.com.