Centennial funds meet a milestone

The list of big backers for Newport Beach’s centennial celebrations

isn’t 100 strong yet, but it sure seems like it’s going to get there.

The city announced last week that it has already collected

$250,000 for the yearlong party that is set to begin in October. Hoag

Memorial Hospital Presbyterian has donated $100,000, the biggest gift

yet. Pacific Life, Washington Mutual, Newport Orthopedic Institute

and businessman John Saunders all have pitched in. (The Daily Pilot

has also contributed to the celebration.) Saunders’ $25,000 went to

the city’s planned 2006 Rose Parade float, which city officials are

already marketing as a central highlight to the fun.

The quarter-of-a-million dollars is roughly one-fifth of what city

officials are hoping to raise to pay for the festivities, which will

include a beach party -- with the Beach Boys performing -- in

October, a carnival in the spring, and a final party in October 2006,

complete with fireworks at the Newport and Balboa piers.

We have little doubt that the other $950,000 will be pledged soon.

Two reasons why jump out in front of all others:

First, history. Newport Beach residents always come through for

community projects. The Mariners Branch Library got $500,000 from

John and Donna Crean and will bear their name. Bill and Sue Gross

earlier this year gave $20 million to Hoag Hospital. Paul Merage and

Don Bren have given tens of millions to UC Irvine in recent months.

And then there’s the story of David and Monica Gelbaum, who over the

past 11 years have given more than $20 million to Newport-Mesa

schools.

Second is peer pressure. Now that Hoag Hospital, Pacific Life,

Washington Mutual, Newport Orthopedic and Saunders have all given

money, others will feel compelled to follow suit. It may not be the

most pure reason for giving, but it’s one that won’t hurt in the end

when the city has its desired $1.2 million.

For those on fence, wavering about whether or how much to donate,

here’s a bit of encouragement. The city’s official 100th birthday is

Sept. 1, 2006. It would be a big kick start to the celebrations if

the city has reached its lofty fundraising goal by this Sept. 1.

Then, all the focus and attention can go where it ought to: the fun,

the history, the memories and the people who have made Newport such a

great place to live for nearly a century.