Orange County is full of moms who give back through philanthropy, volunteerism and in other ways.
Every Saturday from about 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Kaylyn Marony and her children are at WAGS Pet Adoption shelter in Westminster helping animals get cared for and adopted.
As a volunteer, Marony helps set up kennels for fosters to bring in their kittens, answers questions from volunteers and adopters, processes adoptions, and anything else needed that day. She’s also one of the Kitten Foster coordinators.
“Last season we helped handle intake support of over 1,700 kittens and over 45 families,” Marony said.
Her daughters, Brooklyn Martin, 13, and Peyton Martin, 11, help staff with cleaning, doing dog tours, making food for dogs and cats, doing laundry, bathing kittens, cleaning the treatment kennels and more. Baby Ryder Marony, who is 8 months old, also gets to come too.
“The girls are also highly involved when we bring fosters home,” Marony said. “They live in my older daughter’s room and she is in charge of cleaning up after them, feeding them and making sure they are getting enough socialization. When we have bottle babies they both will help with feeding and stimulating them. They don’t get to just do the fun part of playing with them. They also have to put in the work.”
Marony, who lives in Anaheim, said they have been volunteering since 2022.
“I have grown up with a love for animals,” she said. “I always had animals growing up. Originally I wanted to be a vet or animal officer. That did not pan out so the next best thing I could do is decide to give back and help by volunteering at an animal shelter. I have previously adopted from WAGS before and love what they do and how they care for their animals.”
She said one of the reasons she keeps volunteering is that she wants her children to see all aspects of shelter life.
“They don’t get to play with puppies and kittens all day,” she said. “It’s not always sunshine and rainbows. There are pets that get brought in that are not in the greatest shape or from terrible situations. But having the girls see how animals can flourish from hard work and love makes it worth it.”
Marony said she feels it’s important to give back to animal shelters because animals are among the most vulnerable members of communities.
“They cannot speak for themselves or change their circumstances, so they rely entirely on people to protect and care for them,” she said. “WAGS truly puts animal welfare first so helping support them reflects a value I care deeply about — thinking of others before myself and using what I can to make life better for those who cannot help themselves.”
Krystal Bennett
City: Tustin
Family: Justin, Nolan, 8, Brooks, 6, Demi, 3
Job: Health care compliance
Giving Back: “I’ve created a supportive space for moms through my Instagram platform, @thewellmom. It’s a community where women are encouraged to prioritize their well-being while balancing careers, families and the many demands of motherhood. I share simple, realistic, wellness and self-care tips that can be incorporated immediately, to help women feel their best. Helping moms reclaim their calm, confidence and main character energy, one simple self-care moment at a time. My goal is to remind moms that taking care of themselves isn’t selfish, it’s essential.”
Inspiration: “I’m inspired by the belief that when moms take care of themselves, everyone benefits. When women feel confident, supported and well, they show up stronger for their families and communities. I want women to know that they don’t have to lose who they are in motherhood, they can thrive as moms while still growing into their favorite version of themselves.”
Balance: “Balancing everything isn’t always easy, but I focus on making time for things that make me feel good. That means prioritizing simple, intentional moments throughout my day. Instead of complicated routines, I stick to habits that help me stay grounded. Even something as small as sitting down to enjoy my coffee without multi-tasking, reminds me to slow down and take care of myself so I can show up fully for my family and be the best mom, wife, friend and colleague I can be.”
Shelbie Smith
City: San Clemente
Family: Jay, Maddilyn, 20, Tyler, 16
Job: Senior client service manager for a marketing company
Giving Back: “I currently volunteer my time with CHOC (now Rady Children’s Health) in several capacities. I serve as the chairperson for the Patient and Family Advisory Council, where I collaborate closely with physicians and medical staff to provide input on key decisions, initiatives and discussions. I also serve as a parent partner on several committees throughout the hospital — including the PICU Clinical Practice Council, the Prader-Willi Family Advisory Council, the Patient Safety IOP Committee and the Environmental Sustainability Committee, where I provide insights from a patient and family perspective to ensure each council’s goals reflect the family experience.”
Inspiration: My daughter, Maddilyn, was born with Prader–Willi syndrome, and from the very beginning we found ourselves navigating a world filled with doctors, specialists and therapies. For the past 20 years, CHOC has been her primary source of care, supporting her through more than 10 surgeries, numerous hospital stays and countless appointments where she has received truly life‑saving treatment.
Balance: “Balancing my responsibilities as a parent, full‑time professional and dedicated volunteer takes intention and coordination, but it’s a commitment I’m proud to uphold. I’m fortunate that much of my volunteer work can be done virtually, which allows me to stay engaged and contribute meaningfully while remaining at my desk during the workday. Advocating for my family is something I care deeply about, so I make it a priority to be present whenever I’m needed. I’m also grateful to work for a company that truly values community involvement and fully supports my efforts to give back in this way.”
Kristin Ellsworth
City: Irvine
Family: Dylan, Henry, 2
Job: Santa Ana College Foundation development coordinator and fundraiser
Giving Back: “In addition to my professional work in philanthropy, I founded My Sister’s Closet, my organization that provides clothing, hygiene items and essential resources to individuals and families throughout Orange County. Through community donations and partnerships with local organizations, we’re able to support people not only with basic necessities but also with professional clothing to help them feel confident entering or re-entering the workforce.”
Inspiration: “My Sister’s Closet was born out of one of the hardest moments in my life: the loss of my older sister, Amber, in 2020. In the midst of that grief, I felt a strong need to channel my pain into something meaningful and lasting. Creating this organization became a way to honor her life and the bond we shared. Growing up, my sisters and I didn’t have much. We were ‘hand-me-down girls,’ and we understood firsthand how much generosity, no matter how small, can impact someone’s confidence and sense of worth. That perspective has stayed with me. I continue this work because I see the real impact it has on people.
“I’m inspired by the resilience of the people we support. So many individuals are working incredibly hard to improve their circumstances, and sometimes they just need a little support to get there.”
Balance: “Balancing everything isn’t always easy, especially with a toddler, but I try to integrate my values into both my work and my parenting. I want my son to grow up seeing the importance of kindness, generosity and community.”
Jenn Tanaka
City: Irvine
Family: Daniel Harsadi, Bradley Harsadi, 12, Isabella Harsadi, 9
Job: Founder of media consulting company, Harsadi Creative
Giving Back: “Libraries are near and dear to my heart. Multiple times a year, I moderate conversations with award-winning authors for the Orange County Public Libraries’ Author Talk series. … The conversations bring attention to our local libraries and connect the community to renowned authors. We share stories about writing, overcoming challenges that shaped their books, and get insight on their inspirations. The program enriches our community with in-person conversations and encourages reading across all ages. The events are also free to the public.
“I volunteer at a school in Irvine twice a week. I love working with the students. My favorite activity is reading groups. … The past couple years, I also started volunteering by helping the kids with math tiles, which are similar to Sudoku puzzles. This is a real brain exercise! When I was a child, math wasn’t my strongest subject. I really had to work at it. So it’s fulfilling to see the students progress in our math tile workshops.”
Inspiration: “My inspiration for giving back are my children. Time is my most valuable resource. So by Bradley and Isabella seeing me engaging in community activities, celebrating our libraries and working with their teachers, they see how I invest my time. My acts of service will hopefully rub off on them. Or at least inspire them to serve the community in their own ways.”
Balance: “I include my kids with as many of my philanthropy endeavors as possible. They’ve attended Author Talks at the Orange County Public Libraries and met visiting authors.”
Laura Marcum
City: Costa Mesa
Family: Nate, Kallie, 5, Mateo (dog), 10
Job: CEO of nonprofit Project Youth OC
Giving Back: “It’s part of my day-to-day. Building programs, leading teams, inviting supporters in and working to solve real challenges facing young people and families. Outside of work, I mentor other professionals and volunteer in my daughter’s classroom — things I genuinely enjoy.”
Inspiration: “At PYOC, I’m inspired by what happens when young people who might have been overlooked are given a real chance. With access and support, they do incredible things — not just for themselves, but for their families and their communities. That ripple effect is powerful.”
Balance: Not perfectly! But even on the long days, I want my daughter to see that her mom cared deeply about something that matters and gave her all to it. I try to raise her with the same values I was given: to stay grounded, be of service and truly see people.”
Ana-Christina Murillo
City: Santa Ana
Family: Luke Sarmiento, Emilia Sarmiento, 1.5
Job: Orange County Grantmakers senior manager of Programs and Membership
Giving Back: “I give back through my work in the nonprofit and philanthropic community in Orange County. A big part of what I do is bringing people together funders, nonprofits and community leaders to have meaningful conversations and collaborate on ways to better support families and strengthen our communities. I love being able to help create those connections and spaces where people can learn from one another and work toward solutions that make a real difference locally.”
Inspiration: “Becoming a mom deepened my perspective in this space. It makes you think more about the kind of community you want your child to grow up in. I’m inspired by the incredible people working every day to support others, and I believe giving back is one way we can help build a stronger, more caring community for the next generation.”
Balance: “Like most parents, it’s always a bit of a balancing act. I’m really fortunate to work in a field and at an organization that truly values family-life balance and offers flexibility, which makes a big difference as a parent. It allows me to be present for my child while still doing work that I care deeply about. At the end of the day, the work I do is about strengthening communities and supporting families, so being a mom actually motivates me even more. It keeps me grounded and reminds me why this work matters because we’re all working toward building a better future for the next generation.”
Victoria “Tori” Walker
City: Newport Beach
Family: Shane, Brax, 6 months old, French bulldogs Tuna and Buster
Job: Owner of Victori Solutions, a public/media relations and social media agency
Giving Back: “Giving back has always been a core part of both my personal life and my work. Through my PR and social media agency, I’m fortunate to support several arts and culture nonprofits for the last eight years, including Festival of Arts & Pageant of the Masters, Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, and Musical Theatre West. My agency is also known for offering extremely discounted rates for project-based support and, when possible, in-kind services to organizations and initiatives that are making a difference.
“I serve on the board of the OC Press Club and support organizations I care deeply about through memberships and volunteer efforts. This year, giving back has taken on an even more personal meaning, my family will be participating in the CHOC Walk to help raise funds for CHOC Children’s Hospital, where my son spent his first 12 days of life.”
Inspiration: “I’ve always believed that the arts and community organizations are what bring people together and create a sense of connection. Long before becoming a mom, I found so much purpose in supporting those spaces, whether through my work, volunteering or donating my time and skills.
“Becoming a mom deepened that perspective in a way I never expected. Our experience at CHOC was both terrifying and life-changing, and we were surrounded by the most incredible care team. It made me realize, even more so, how important it is to show up for others, especially families going through difficult moments. If sharing my time, skills or resources can make even a small difference, it’s something I feel genuinely called to do.”
Balance: “As a new mom, I’ve learned how to multi-task and naturally weave giving back into both my work and daily life, whether that’s supporting nonprofit clients, showing up in small ways or including my son in moments that matter. It’s also important to me that he grows up seeing compassion and community in action, not just as something we talk about, but something we do together.”
Lauren Ruiz
City: Tustin
Family: Evan, Colter, 3
Job: South County Outreach director of development
Giving Back: “Giving back isn’t something I ‘fit into’ life — it’s part of how we live it together. In my role, I have the privilege of connecting people to meaningful ways they can support neighbors facing food and housing insecurity. At home, it shows up in quieter ways — talking about kindness, noticing others and helping Colter understand that even small actions matter. Over time, those moments add up. They shape how we see each other and the kind of community we’re building.”
Inspiration: “Growing up in Seattle, I remember walking through the city and seeing people experiencing homelessness. I was taught to acknowledge them — to say hello, to smile. It sounds simple, but it left a lasting impression. It showed me that even the smallest act can remind someone they are seen.
“That lesson has stayed with me. Every day, I’m inspired by the resilience of families doing everything they can to hold it together. Giving back, in any form, helps create a bridge in those moments. It’s how we make sure people don’t feel invisible — and how we build a community where no one has to navigate hardship alone.”
Balance: “For me, it’s less about balance and more about integration. I want Colter to grow up knowing that caring for others is just part of life. It’s not perfect, but I try to be present and intentional in both roles.”
Maryam Yazdanshenas Briscoe
City: Rancho Mission Viejo
Family: Ben Briscoe, Lyon, 8
Job: Board-certified family medicine physician specializing in functional and holistic care, as well as an entrepreneur, educator and founder of Yaz MD Wellness
Giving Back: “Giving back is a big part of my life, both personally and professionally. I volunteer at the farm in my community and at my son’s school, Esencia, and I look forward to expanding my involvement even more —especially when it comes to supporting children, as that is something very close to my heart. … In addition, I support several local charities where I know with certainty that contributions go directly to those in need. I also naturally mentor, educate and guide people whenever the opportunity arises, specially youngsters and teenagers —anyone who asks me about health or is seeking a better path. … I also host free community seminars one to two times per month in Rancho Mission Viejo. While these events introduce people to my work, I truly see them as an extension of my purpose: helping people transform their health, and in many cases, their lives. During these seminars, I educate families about stress, hormones and how to take control of their health.”
Inspiration: “I’m inspired not only by the transformation I see in people, but also by children. They bring so much joy — they are pure, curious and full of innocence. I truly love being around them, talking with them and guiding them whenever I can. Spending time at the farm and being close to nature has also been incredibly meaningful to me. There is something so powerful about seeing where your food comes from, being part of that process and then bringing it home to nourish your family.”
Balance: “I truly believe life is about balance. We all have the same 24 hours in a day, and when you use your time intentionally, you can create something meaningful. I prioritize my family, my health and my purpose. I stay away from distractions like unnecessary screen time or social media drama, and instead focus on what brings value to my life and to those around me.”
By Jessica Peralta
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