October 21, 2025

Hope Street alumni Roberto and Carla on stage at the 2025 Champions for Children Dinner atop The Great Lawn at Jonathan Club on October 8, 2025.

2025 Champions for Children Dinner raises over $500,000 for Hope Street Margolis Family Center

Annual event fuels vital youth, after-school programs, spotlighting alumni achievements and transformative impact on Los Angeles children and families.

LOS ANGELES (October 21, 2025) — The 2025 Champions for Children Dinner, held Wednesday October 8, 2025, achieved an unprecedented fundraising milestone—raising over $500,000 for Hope Street Margolis Family Center. One hundred percent of the proceeds will directly support the center's critical After-School and Summer of Science programs, benefiting vulnerable children and families served by Dignity Health - California Hospital Medical Center (CHMC).

Hope Street staff and alumni at the 2025 Champions for Children Dinner The "Magic of Hope Street" themed dinner at Jonathan Club celebrated a new record for philanthropic support, demonstrating strong community commitment to Hope Street's mission. Event attendees experienced an inspiring evening featuring remarks from Co-Chairs Eloise Appel, EdD and Linda Ellman, along with Youth Center Coordinator Sid Oxford and compelling presentations from Hope Street alumni on projects their worked on during Summer of Science. The evening included carnival games, a roaming magician, candy bar, silent auction and an exciting fund-a-need.

Oxford, celebrating his 30th year at Hope Street, credited the sustained generosity of donors for the center's success. "This year marks 30 years of After-School services and another magical Summer of Science, a truly transformative experience for our students,” Oxford said. “Funds raised directly support essential services like our free summer camp, where over 100 children explore science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics."

Rodrigo Sanchez and Sid Oxford at the 2025 Champions for Children Dinner A powerful video, produced by event Co-Chair Linda Ellman, highlighted the impactful journey of Hope Street alumnus Rodrigo Sanchez. The video detailed Sanchez's path from growing up at Hope Street to becoming a hotshot wildland firefighter with the Texas Canyon Hotshots of the U.S. Forest Service, where he battled the Eaton Fire for 14 days this past January. Sanchez attributes Hope Street's after-school programs, mentorship and educational resources as foundational to his career dedicated to protecting communities and saving lives, demonstrating the profound long-term influence of the center.

Established in 1992 through a collaboration between UCLA and CHMC, Hope Street Margolis Family Center empowers and strengthens families by addressing social determinants of health through a comprehensive continuum of care. Led by Director Vickie Kropenske RN, PHN, MSN, the center provides crucial early childhood education, child welfare services, behavioral health support, parent education, and youth and social services to approximately 5,000 children and family members annually, improving outcomes for 75,000 individuals since its inception.

CHMC Foundation thanks its generous partners, donors and sponsors, including:

Platinum Sponsors 
Dr. E. Janet Bonilla and Robert Medina

Preferred IP of California logo
USC Acute Care Solutions logo
  
Gold Sponsors 
Eloise and Mark Appel 
Tracy Bechtold and Robert Gach
UBS logo
Susan and Barry Berk
Johnny Carson Foundation
Linda Ellman and Gary Mandinach
Hannah and Jeffrey Kirschner
Medical Staff of California Hospital Medical Center
Richard O. Oxford
Sheila Phillips, MD and Michael Powell
The Waller Family Foundation
Sandra Warde White and Don White

Silver Sponsors 
Chef Michelle and Company
CMC Medical Plaza
Eileen Cohen
dot.LA logo

Pastor James Lobdell
Jeanne Raya
SoCal Anesthesia Solutions
Susan Shum
Deborah and Bart Tucker / Lilith and Marty Borko
Dakota Warde-Levie 
Wells Fargo Advisors logo  

Bronze Sponsors 
Susie and R.J. Noonan

View photos from the event or by clicking here.

To donate or learn more about Hope Street Margolis Family Center, visit HopeStreetFamilyCenter.org.

About Dignity Health - California Hospital Medical Center

Located in the heart of Downtown L.A., California Hospital Medical Center is a 318-bed, nonprofit teaching hospital providing compassionate care for over 130 years to the residents of Los Angeles. We offer a full-continuum of acute hospital care services, including a Level II Trauma Center, state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterization Lab, Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and a free-standing Women’s Health Center. As part of CommonSpirit Health, a nonprofit health system dedicated to advancing health for all people, California Hospital is committed to creating healthier communities, delivering exceptional patient care, and ensuring every person has access to quality health care. Learn more at DignityHealth.org/CaliforniaHospital.

About California Hospital Medical Center Foundation

California Hospital Medical Center Foundation was founded in 1985 to raise philanthropic support for building projects, equipment, patient care services and community outreach for Dignity Health - California Hospital Medical Center. The generosity and vision of our donors generate the resources to provide the highest quality medical care to all in need, regardless of their ability to pay. The foundation has dedicated staff and is governed by a Board of Directors that oversees a comprehensive fund development program incorporating special events, private foundation and corporate grants, individual giving and government support— raising more than $20 million per year. Learn more at SupportCaliforniaHospital.org.