SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 AT HOTEL IRVINE
Heritage Pointe, well-known for its unparalleled residential community providing Independent, Assisted Living, and Memory Care Services for Seniors, has announced it will bestow its ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ to five generations of the Walker Family and Farmers & Merchants Bank.
This year’s highly-anticipated fall fundraising Gala, will take place on Sunday, December 8, 2019, and will celebrate Heritage Pointe’s 30th Anniversary milestone of serving Seniors Living in the Jewish Tradition. This not-to-be-missed event will be chaired by the dynamic duo of Toni and Terry McDonald.
“The Walker Family has exceeded their customers’ expectations for generations and W. Henry Walker is continuing that family tradition today,” stated Mike Silverman, CEO of Heritage Pointe. “Heritage Pointe’s relationship with Farmers & Merchants Bank has been outstanding, and their attention to detail and professionalism has been evident during every transaction, conversation, and collaboration. The Walker Family sets a standard of customer service few can match, and each branch of Farmers & Merchants Bank lives it every day,” Silverman continued.
The Gala evening will commence with an elegant VIP Reception at 6:00 p.m., followed by a three course specially-prepared dinner. The highly-acclaimed Bonnie Foster Productions will perform a combination of well-known Standards, Classic Pop, and Contemporary melodies for guests to enjoy at this year’s Gala.
“Our relationships with our business partners are critical when it comes to supporting our Seniors in need, and we are grateful to Farmers & Merchants Bank for recognizing the importance of partnering with nonprofits and organizations,” stated Beth Slavin, Director of Philanthropy for Heritage Pointe. “Heritage Pointe is blessed to have benefited greatly from Farmers & Merchants’ philanthropic generosity. Presenting the Walker Family and Farmers & Merchants Bank with our Lifetime Achievement Award at our upcoming December 8, 2019 Gala will be a special moment, as Heritage Pointe celebrates its 30th Anniversary. We honor the five generations of the Walker Family, and their nearly 112 successful years of Farmers & Merchants Bank’s history, for their spirit and commitment of carrying on the legacy of giving,” Slavin continued.
This is the second time Heritage Pointe will bestow its prestigious ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ to a deserving individual and/or business. This Award recognizes individuals and organizations whose lifetime or long-term achievements and philanthropic endeavors have made a significant impact on our society within the Orange County community. Heritage Pointe honors those individuals who practice high ethical standards in their lives and in their businesses, and who best exemplify the commitment and dedication toward the values and principles of the Heritage Pointe Mission, which states Heritage Pointe is to honor our community of Mothers and Fathers as Jewish tradition teaches us.
“My grandfather, C.J. Walker founded Farmers & Merchants Bank nearly 112 years ago, based upon the principles of honesty, integrity, the home, the church, and service above self,” stated W. Henry Walker, fourth generation President of Farmers & Merchants Bank. “Today, as fourth generation President, along with my brother Daniel, Chairman of the Board and CEO, and my father Kenneth, President of the Main branch, we manage the Bank through the teachings of our founding father. Following the Walker family tradition of giving back to the community, F & M Bank has been proud to support Heritage Pointe and their mission to provide a safe and secure living environment for their Residents. On behalf of Farmers & Merchants bank and five generations of my family, I am honored and humbled to accept Heritage Pointe’s ‘Lifetime Achievement Award,’” he continued.
The five Walker men who have been at the helm of Farmers & Merchants Bank, and whose leadership and legacy is being honored with this special Award include Charles J. Walker, Gustavus A. Walker, Kenneth G. Walker, Daniel K. Walker, and W. Henry Walker. All these men took the tenets of their ancestors to heart and carried them forward. They continue to be the bedrock and pillars of this family and their business.
To this day, W. Henry Walker’s father, Kenneth, still serves his customers from his vintage roll top desk on the banking floor, while Henry occupies his grandfather Gus’ office, illustrating that this steadfast sense of tradition has not been lost.
All proceeds from this Heritage Pointe fall fundraising Gala directly benefit the Heritage Pointe Residents through the Heritage Pointe Fund. For Gala event information on tickets and table sponsorships, please call Beth Slavin, Director of Philanthropy or Pamela Davis, Special Events Director at Heritage Pointe at (949) 364-0010 or visit www.heritagepointe.org.
ABOUT HERITAGE POINTE
Voted Best Retirement Facility/Independent Living in Orange County by the readers of the TIMES ORANGE COUNTY, and One of the Top Three Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care Facilities in Orange County by the OC REGISTER Best of Orange County 2018 and 2019, Heritage Pointe is a nonprofit residential community for Seniors in Mission Viejo, California. For 30 years, Heritage Pointe has offered a safe and secure living environment, where Residents can live life to its fullest, surrounded by well-trained and compassionate caregivers. Its highly-acclaimed ZEST FOR LEARNING Program, which believes you are never too old to learn because learning is a life-long adventure, offers Residents, family members, and interested community supporters an exceptional wealth of educational activities and experiences. Heritage Pointe’s vision is simple, to foster an exceptional environment based on Jewish values where all community members, including Seniors, their families, and volunteers, can learn, grow, live well, and flourish.
ABOUT FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANK
Founded in Long Beach in 1907 by C.J. Walker, Farmers & Merchants Bank has $7.3 Billion in assets, and 25 branches across Orange County, Long Beach, the South Bay and Santa Barbara. The Bank specializes in commercial and small business banking, business loan programs, home loans, and a robust offering of consumer retail banking products, including checking, savings, and youth accounts. Farmers & Merchants Bank is a California state chartered bank with deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (Member FDIC) and an Equal Housing Lender. For more information about F & M, please visit the website, www.fmb.com.
MADELINE ZUCKERMAN is a contributing writer to Jlife magazine.
