Around Town: Alzheimer’s center taps the night away

The nonprofit Alzheimer’s Family Services Center raised $190,000 during its 13th annual “A Gathering of Friends” gala on May 11 at The Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach.

The money was raised through ticket sales, live and silent auctions, fund-a-need, and corporate donations including a $50,000 matching sponsorship from Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. This year’s Gathering of Friends was titled “Dancing through the Decades,” with themed décor that resembled a dance studio.

AFSC paid tribute to one of its participants, Jane Sparks, sharing highlights of her life.

During the evening, Sparks and her dance instructor — and Newport Dance Theater founder — Nancy Isbell, surprised the audience with a special tap dance performance that received a standing ovation.

Thanks to the long-standing support of major donors to the agency, every dollar raised at the gala will go directly to programs that serve AFSC’s participants.

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Special Olympics gets boost from emergency workers

A Tip-A-Cop fundraiser held May 2 at the Claim Jumper on Brookhurst Street raised more than $11,000 for the Orange County Special Olympics.

The event involved members of the Fountain Valley Police Department and Fire Department. A police motorcycle, K-9, S.W.A.T. truck, 9-11 for Kids and an antique fire truck were on display during the event.

In Tip-A-Cop fundraisers, officers serve as celebrity waiters at restaurants and donate the tips they receive to Special Olympics, according to the Special Olympics website. The events are one of the main fundraisers for the Law Enforcement Torch Run, one of the largest fundraising arms of Special Olympics.

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NOTABLES

Fulbright scholar will head to Colombia

Marina High School graduate Jennifer Wang has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship by the U.S. Department of State.

Participants of the program are chosen for their academic merit and leadership, according to its website.

Wang, who attended Occidental College in Los Angeles, is set to spend a year teaching English in Colombia. She will join more than 800 U.S. citizens who will travel abroad to 130 different countries for the 2013-2014 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.

The Fulbright program, which covers travel, education and living expenses, was established in 1946 and operates in more than 155 countries worldwide.

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Outstanding graduate of Long Beach

Kaylee M. Gialketsis, a 2009 graduate of Marina High School, has been named the 2013 Outstanding Graduate for the College of Business Administration at Cal State Long Beach.

She has earned a spot on the President’s Honor List since 2010 based on her 3.94 GPA and in 2011 joined the Beta Gamma Sigma and Golden Key International Honors societies.

Gialketsis, the daughter of Frank and Lonnie Gialketsis of Huntington Beach, is graduating with a bachelor’s of science in business administration with an option in marketing.

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Trained in Air Force basics

Air Force Airman James A. Alvarado and Air Force Airman 1st Class Ragan A. Grego graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio.

Alvarado is a 2010 graduate of Huntington Beach High School. Grego is a 2008 graduate of Edison High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from UCLA in 2012.

The airmen completed an eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills.

Alvarado is the son of Autumn Adrian of Spokane, Wash., and Jim Alvarado of Long Beach. Grego is the son of Robert Grego of Huntington Beach.

AROUND TOWN is a weekly column about people and events in Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley compiled by city editor Alicia Lopez. Please submit information about your fundraiser, charity event or a person deserving attention to hbindependent@latimes.com or alicia.lopez@latimes.com.