OC Data Drill: Philanthropy Compiled by Samuel Richard
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9.7.15 SR_Philanthropy_Layout 1 9/3/15 6:04 PM Page 15 9.7.15 SR_Philanthropy_Layout 1 9/3/15 6:04 PM Page 16 16 ORANGE COUNTY BUSINESS JOURNAL Local breaking news: www.ocbj.com SEPTEMBER 7, 2015 Broken Dream Becomes Grander Reality in South OC change, but to grow thoughtfully and intention- Casa Romantica Facility ally.” Is Community Resource The approach seems to be working. Casa Ro- mantica, since Schmitz joined, has doubled its By KIM HAMAN membership and event ticket sales. Its annual budget now approaches $1 million, which rep- Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gar- resents a 30% increase across the center’s 2013- dens is nestled among the distinctive homes that 14 and 2014-15 fiscal years. line the curved streets of San Clemente. “There is something for everyone here,” she The community facility can be a reminder for says. “People love quality and really good expe- those who live here that life doesn’t always work riences. We want to make sure everyone who out as anticipated, and of what can happen when comes here has a fantastic experience.” dreams falter. Businesses Bought In The Spanish Colonial Revival-style facility, originally the home of one San Clemente’s Schmitz and the board are also working to se- founders, is now a vibrant community center that cure corporate and business support. The facility hosts arts and cultural events and gives back to has always enjoyed the support of local busi- the community through its offerings, including nesses and now has donor companies such as free educational programs, school tours, camps Fluid Master, Farmers & Merchants Bank, and student exhibitions (see list of upcoming Hurley, and a host of others. events, page 28). Greg Stoutenburgh, president of Epica Its annual black-tie Toast to the Casa event Medical Innovations in San Clemente, says he raised $90,000 last year to support the programs, decided to lend his company’s support to Casa which benefit 2,000 children each year. Casa Romantica leaders: David Westendorf, vice president; Berenika Schmitz, executive direc- Romantica after visiting the location for the first tor; Ruth DeNault, president; Bonnie Koch, secretary; Gordon Olson, treasurer The center is a resource some of its leaders time several months ago. consider a hidden gem, and it packs a colorful business and community leaders Ruth DeNault social media campaign for the venue. “I was so impressed by what the Casa is pro- history that helped pave the way for its use today. and Guy Varriano for help. DeNault, along “It was wonderful to have someone who viding the community,” he says. “There is a lack “Casa Romantica is an amazing place,” says with her husband, Jim, founded the first True knew what they were doing before they got of access to quality arts, history, and the various Executive Director Berenika D. Schmitz, Value Hardware in 1956 when San Clemente here,” Koch says of Schmitz. things that the Casa can offer. By providing these whose passion for the center bubbles over when was a town of just 3,500 people. Varriano, Board member Gordon Olson, a retired at- sorts of events, people are able to experience this she shares its history, “with an amazing story.” though new to San Clemente after moving here torney with intellectual property law firm culture and enjoy it. The arts enrich the entire in 1998, was a retired senior vice president of Knobbe Martens Olson and Bear, said that community. The richer a society is, the better a Different Beginning HSBC Bank. DeNault and Varriano were initially, there was some controversy over bring- business will do.” It was built as a home for Ole Hanson, who tasked with helping recruit other local leaders ing on Schmitz because some perceived her as Ole Hanson built the city of San Clemente as was mayor of Seattle from 1918 to 1919 and to serve on a founding board. wanting to implement change too quickly. a place of respite. Now the center has become came to Orange County following an unsuccess- “It was a challenge to find the right people to “There is this idea in the nonprofit world that the heart of San Clemente, DeNault says, and ful bid for the U.S. presidency in 1920. take this on,” DeNault recalls. Eventually, De- you have to move slowly,” Schmitz explains. symbolizes how dead dreams can be reborn in Hanson wanted to build a Spanish-style resort Nault and three others, including Varriano, who “Many of my colleagues from Harvard have even grander ways. town, a respite for urban-weary Californians. still serves alongside her on Casa’s board, be- started businesses that are doing something in- “People come here, young and old, and feel that He and his partners financed the construction came the founding board members. They novative and fast. I think we’re at a cultural and this is their house,” DeNault says. “Then they of the new city over the next decade with build- helped establish the Casa Romantica Cultural historic place where nonprofits can do the same walk out on the terrace and think, ‘Wow, this is ings designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival Center and Gardens as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) or- thing. my ocean view.’ And that’s really what we want— style that reflected Hanson’s personal vision of ganization in 2002. “Sometimes it can be a little scary to move so for people to know that Casa Romantica and “We wanted the Casa to become the cultural fast, but you have to have a plan. We do. We’re everything it offers really belongs to the people of a “Spanish City by the Sea.” I In 1927 Hanson commissioned architect Carl heart of the city,” she says. not just making change for the sake of making San Clemente and all of Orange County.” Lindbom to build a home for him, his wife, and An anonymous $1.5 million donation com- their 10 children. bined with money raised through developers, Lindbom was renowned for his design of the the city, and other donors, enabled the board to nearby La Casa Pacifica in 1926, another elab- restore the mansion to its former glory. orate ocean-view mansion that would later gain “It was so exciting to see Casa Romantica so recognition as President Richard Nixon’s beautiful again,” DeNault says. “Western White House.” Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens Kids Get Gift of Music at Casa Romantica, as Hanson’s home was officially opened its doors to the public in 2003 christened in 1946 by a later owner, was a metic- and today offers events such as ballets and mu- ulously designed, seven-bedroom, seven-bath sical performances. Casa Romantica’s Academy mansion complete with a courtyard, fountains, Schmitz recalls. New Vision and meandering paths that led through elaborate Free Program One of Batch The boy, initially unfocused, soon began to gardens. Its reputation as a cultural destination grew at Designed for the Young Set warm up to the instrument. The founding of the city of San Clemente was a a steady pace over the following decade, says He was playing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little By KIM HAMAN success. Hanson’s financial life, however, wasn’t. Bonnie Koch, who joined Casa’s board a few Star” on it by the end of the first week and Hanson, financially leveraged with mortgages years ago. She is also a longtime San Clemente ready by the end of the second week for the on his various property ventures, lost all of his resident and business leader as owner of El Ten-year-old Dillon had a dream: to learn solo he would perform at the academy’s finale remaining holdings when the Great Depression Camino Travel, which her parents launched in to play the guitar. At least that’s what he said concert for parents and friends. hit, including his mansion in San Clemente.He 1952. in the application video he sent in to be con- “People underestimate what kids can do,” and his family relocated to Twentynine Palms, The center’s initial focus was narrow. sidered for Casa Romantica’s free Music Schmitz says. “If you give children the oppor- where he died of a heart attack in 1940 at age 66. “The Casa focused on sharing the history of Festival and Academy. tunity, they will work hard. They love being San Clemente,” Koch says. “We did have pro- At the annual two-week academy, which part of something special, something bigger Dream Deferred grams and exhibits, but they weren’t planned took place in July, children ages 8 to 13 stud- than themselves.” The mansion in the following years went comprehensively.” ied piano, violin, viola and cello through pri- That’s just one of the reasons, Schmitz says, through foreclosure, several owners, another Then, in 2013, the board brought on a young vate studio lessons, performances, that Casa Romantica focuses many of its pro- name change, a 24-year period as a retirement new executive director, Schmitz, a 2005 Har- musicianship training, parent workshops and grams on children, including a free children’s home, and a decade-long stint as a wedding and vard alumnae who graduated magna cum laude. innovative classes. gardening program, guest performers geared special-events venue. Her resume included a year as a fellow with the So if Dillon’s dream was to play guitar, to children’s interests, and school tours that There was at one point discussion of turning DeVos Institute of Arts Management at why was he selected to be one of the 25 chil- bring in children from across San Juan Capis- it into condominiums, according to news reports.