Philanthropists Camille and Tim Strader, Jr. of Newport Beach, longtime supporters of the Diocese of Orange, were honored for their contributions to KidWorks, a 30-year-old Santa Ana-based nonprofit that provides personal, academic development, and leadership programs for children and teens in underserved neighborhoods in Orange County.
The Straders were presented with the Dan Donahue Leadership Award at KidWorks’ 17th annual Foundation for Success Luncheon held Nov. 9 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Santa Ana.
The yearly award recognizes KidWorks’ most passionate supporters who embrace the nonprofit’s commitment to provide educational opportunities and other impactful experiences for students living in some of the county’s most impoverished areas.
The luncheon raised $130,000 during the “Fund a Need” portion of the luncheon program, which contributed to the overall total of over $450,000 for KidWorks After School Program.
“We accept the honor in order to be able to share the mission of KidWorks a little bit broader and further and just encourage people in very many different capacities to participate and join us in this mission,” said Camille, who has been a classroom volunteer for close to 10 years and is a founding member of KidWorks Women, an auxiliary group that supports families in helping to advance KidWorks’ mission to inspire purpose in youth, fuel their growth, and catalyzes their impact in the community and the world. Tim Strader, Jr., president of Starpointe Ventures, has been involved with KidWorks since 2015, serving on the board of directors and multiple committees.
“It’s not just giving money,” Tim Jr. said. “It’s the mentoring, the corporate engagement, all the different ways people can help.”
Tim Jr. first learned about KidWorks through the nonprofit’s scholarship program at Mater Dei High School when the Straders’ two sons attended school there.
Tim was particularly drawn to KidWorks’ mentorship program and has served as a mentor to a college student who he has been guiding since high school.
PICTURED: BACK ROW L-R: TIM STRADER III; BROOKE STRADER; DANA STRADER; ANDY STRADER; ELLIOTT LOWE; STEPHANIE LOWE; MEGAN MEIHAUS; CATHERINE STONE
FRONT ROW L-R: CURT CROSS; CHRIS CROSS; CAMILLE STRADER; TIM STRADER, JR.; SUSAN STRADER; TIM STRADER, SR. PHOTO COURTESY OF KIDWORKS
“So, it’s not just in dollars,” KidWorks executive director David Benavides said of the Straders. “They’re actually hands-on, they’re working, interacting with our kids and following their path. Every child needs at least one caring adult in their life and what’s best for a young person is when they have multiple people that walk alongside them, that believe in them, that encourage them, that challenge them to set goals for themselves and Camille and Tim do that for students at KidWorks.”
The Straders, who are parishioners at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newport Beach, also appreciate KidWorks’ commitment to guiding youngsters on their journey of faith.
“I just love that they take this organic way of pulling the kids along,” Camille said. “There’s a vacation bible school that happens every summer much like all of our Catholic churches have and it’s just an easy place for the kids to come and participate.”
Voluntarism and philanthropy have always been a way of life for the Strader family.
Tim Jr.’s parents, Timothy and Susan Strader, have been involved in projects that benefit the Catholic Church, the arts, health care and education. They were appointed by Bishop Kevin Vann to lead a campaign committee that helped raise the funds to complete the sanctuary at Christ Cathedral.
Timothy and Susan are also founders of Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita.
“Tim and Camille were the first of our four children to marry and have children,” Susan Strader said. “They have been role models for the others, showing them how to be a loving couple and wonderful parents. Their siblings emulate the way they have built a solid foundation in their home by guiding their sons to work hard in school, to be committed to the activities and sports they engage in, to be kind and generous and to serve their community and Church.”