Mandy Moore, Lisa Loeb, Anthony Anderson, and more at Woodcraft Rangers’ Campfire Affair Gala
Team C4B was proud to represent Woodcraft Rangers as they hosted their Campfire Affair Gala on June 17, 2023, raising nearly $3 million dollars to support Woodcraft Rangers’ afterschool enrichment programs, summer day camps and Camp Woodcraft summer sleepaway camps. It also celebrated the nonprofit’s 100-year anniversary serving five generations of Angeleno youth.
On behalf of Ballmer Group, Steve Ballmer (via video) announced a $2.5 million dollar grant to support Woodcraft Rangers as it heads into a second century of service. This is the single largest institutional grant ever received in this 100-year-old organization’s history.
The event honored actor and philanthropist Anthony Anderson and Angel City Football Club with Trailblazer Awards at its inaugural Campfire Affair Gala held on June 17 at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, CA. Woodcraft Rangers Alum Dr. Carlos Gutierrez was honored with the Alumnus of the Century Award.
The event was held at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu. Hosted by comedian Mo Welch and speakers include: Woodcraft Rangers Ambassador Mandy Moore (via video), Senator Richard Polanco, LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and ESPN’s Liz Loza. GRAMMY-winning singer, songwriter, and summer camp champion Lisa Loeb gave a special performance leading with Woodcraft Rangers’ new signature song “Oh, Camp Woodcraft!” Singer and Songwriter Robin Thicke, along with Grammy-nominated vocal group DW3, performed while guests dance under the stars.
Sponsors of the event included: Haute Explore, The Hurst Family Foundation, Whittier Trust, Derrington Family Foundation, Root Literary and Cornerstone Wealth.
Proceeds from the Gala benefit Woodcraft Rangers enrichment programs and support camp scholarships to give more Los Angeles kids the opportunity for a sleepaway experience at Camp Woodcraft.
More about the Awardees
Anthony Anderson, Emmy-nominated for his leading role as Andre “Dre” Johnson in ABC’s multi-award nominated sitcom “black-ish,” has long been a champion of youth empowerment and an active community advocate and philanthropist for his hometown of Los Angeles. He uses the hashtag #justakidfromcompton on social media to stay connected to his roots and be a role model for the next generation of kids who come from similar backgrounds. He also proudly serves on the GOOD+ Foundation’s Fatherhood Leadership Council and was recently inducted into the Class of 2017 Boys & Girls Club of America National Alumni Hall of Fame.
Angel City Football Club, established in 2020, is Los Angeles first women’s professional soccer team in over a decade. Founded by Natalie Portman, Kara Nortman and Julie Uhrman, this dynamic club is transforming the landscape of women’s sports; a new model where empowerment and equity are at the center. The team donates 10% of every sponsorship back directly into local community programs, including a number of youth-based initiatives to advance health, physical fitness and inclusion.
Dr. Carlos Gutierrez, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at California State University, Los Angeles, has received numerous accolades, including the highly prestigious CASE/Carnegie U.S. Professors of the Year Award and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. He served as director of the LA Minority Access to Research Careers for two decades where he fostered undergraduate interest in science, especially among underrepresented minority groups. He is credited with mentoring hundreds of students through National Institute of Health-funded programs and the Bridges to the Doctorate program. Dr. Gutierrez was a Woodcraft Ranger from 1958-1960 at Norwood Street Elementary School.
Woodcraft Rangers was founded in 1922 by Ernest Thompson Seton. Woodcraft made a distinct mark from other youth organizations by its early commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. From the start, Woodcraft challenged the norm by opening its programs to all children from every race, religion and socioeconomic background. Today, Woodcraft Rangers serves 20,000 youth ages 4-18 annually at afterschool enrichment programs, summer day camps and overnight camps. For more information, visit www.woodcraftrangers.org