Make-A-Wish alum hosts wedding that pays it forward to kids

Newport Beach couple Bob Shahmardi and Jill Welch know firsthand how the Make-A-Wish Foundation  changes kids’ lives.

Bob Shahmardi and Jill Welch of Newport Beach turned their wedding registry into a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish.(Photo by Abbi Cooley)

When he was 4, Shahmardi was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, and spent many months in the hospital receiving chemotherapy. Although he recalls the experience as being deeply traumatic, the bright spot for him was when his local Make-A-Wish chapter granted his wish – to go to Disney World in Florida with his family. Shahmardi’s unforgettable experience made him forget about the hardships for the day and gave his family hope for the future.

At age 4, Bob Shahmardi was diagnosed with a type of leukemia and underwent chemotherapy. The Make-A-Wish Foundation granted his wish to go to Disney World in Florida with his family.(Photo courtesy of Bob Shahmardi)

Shahmardi, now 34, and his wife decided to pay it forward. Rather than registering for fine china or kitchen appliances for their wedding, Shahmardi and Welch encouraged their wedding guests to make a donation to Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire.

With the support of their family and friends, Shahmardi and Welch have helped grant two wishes for local kids, with more planned.

– Submitted by McKenna Branham

Ralphs in Lake Forest receives Zero Hero food rescue award

Ralphs grocery store in Lake Forest was recently selected as Ralphs’ Zero Hero award winner for the third quarter of 2021. The recognition is part of the company’s Feed the Human Spirit and Zero Hunger | Zero Waste mission.

The Ralphs store in Lake Forest received the Zero Hero award for its donation of more than 63,000 pounds of fresh, nutritious food.(Photo courtesy of Ralphs)

In 2021, the Lake Forest store collected and donated more than 63,000 pounds of fresh, nutritious food, which equals nearly 53,000 meals for the local community.

The store was recognized with a certificate of appreciation, and a $2,000 donation in the store’s name will be made to South County Outreach, the store’s food rescue partner. Headquartered in Irvine, South County Outreach provides food, clothing, housing and homeless prevention services to low-income individuals and families in south Orange County.

— Submitted by Janette Rizk Haddad, Ralphs and Food 4 Less

La Habra native serves as senior enlisted person aboard aircraft carrier

Master Chief Petty Officer Bryan Davis of La Habra serves the U.S. Navy aboard one of the world’s largest warships, the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. Davis joined the Navy 21 years ago.

U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Bryan Davis of La Habra serves aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford.(Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Manvir Gill)

“My brother and cousin joined the Navy,” Davis said. “I made a tiger cruise, and that got me interested in joining.”

Tiger cruises allow friends and family of deployed sailors and Marines to spend time aboard a seagoing vessel to experience the ship’s day-to-day operations.

“I’m most proud of becoming a chief petty officer in 2009, and I’m also proud of my selection as an aircraft carrier command master chief,” Davis said.

The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) represents the first major design investment in aircraft carriers since the 1960s. The ship is engineered to support new technologies and a modern air wing essential to deterring and defeating near-peer adversaries in a complex maritime environment.

As Davis and other sailors train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country.

“Serving in the Navy gives me a sense of purpose for the greater good,” Davis said. “It also gives me the opportunity to protect my kids.”

The Bravo! section highlights achievements of our residents and groups. Send news of achievements for consideration to [email protected].

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