December 1, 2004

3 Min Read
Paving the Way

Buchanan Street Partners, parent company of Buchanan Storage Capital, hosted the Challenge for Children fundraiser on Sept. 10 in Newport Beach, Calif., bringing together 32 real estate industry teams in a multi-sport athletic competition that raised more than $300,000 for United Ways Success By 6 program. The event drew more than 250 participants, pitting professional rivals in a friendly battle of a different sort.

We compete head to head in business every day, and Challenge for Children allowed everyone to extend their ambitious spirit to the athletic field for a great cause, says Kevin McKenzie, event chairman and senior vice president in the Buchanan Capital Advisors division. The competition was heatedno small surprise given the nature of our industry.

Teams participated in four sportsbasketball, volleyball, swimming and a kayak relayand also in fundraising, with points allotted in each area. Lowe Enterprises took first place, with Arden Realty coming in a close second. The field included teams from both Buchanan firms, The Irvine Co., Investment Development Services, Hines, CB Richard Ellis, Sares-Regis, RREEF, AEW Capital Partners and JP Morgan Mortgage Capital, among others.

Challenge for Children took place on a sunny afternoon at the Newport Dunes Resort. Along with sun, fun and camaraderie, the afternoons activities included live music by local Reggae artist, Common Sense, a beach-party barbecue, an awards ceremony acknowledging the days winners, and a check presentation to United Way Orange County President Maria Wilcox.

More Than Financial Success

This is the fourth year Buchanan hosted the event for childrens charities supported by the United Way. This year, the firm more than doubled the donations raised at any of its other events. About $300,000 was collected within a week of the fundraisers close, and more were expected. Contributions came from the firms clients, employees, friends and family members, and teams that competed in the event.

Robert Brunswick, Buchanan Street president and CEO, says Challenge for Children is designed to succeed through the fundraising efforts of participating teams. In years past, we have relied solely on our internal fundraising efforts to generate support for the United Way, he said. Enlisting the support of competing teams has created a fundraising platform that will only strengthen in coming years.

Sponsors GE Real Estate, JP Morgan Mortgage Capital, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky and Walker, and Sullivan Curtis Monroe each made significant contributions. According to McKenzie, they were instrumental in enabling Buchanan Street to launch the Challenge for Children and achieve its fundraising goals.

Our affiliation with the Buchanan Street team just keeps getting better, announced Wilcox at the event. The United Way is made stronger every year with the support of firms such as yours. I am overwhelmed at the success of this event and grateful for your support. The real winners today are the children who will benefit from the wonderful work being done by Success By 6. The fundraiser benefits the program in every community where Buchanan has an office: Los Angeles, Newport Beach and San Francisco.

Giving back to the communities where we live and work is an important tenet at Buchanan Street, McKenzie says. The effort reflects the strong participation and support from the leaders in the real estate community to continue this important and worthy cause.

Buchanan Street Partners is a West Coast-based real estate investment bank that provides capital for owners and developers. The firm invests equity for real estate in a discretionary capacity, is an investment manager to institutional and private investors, provides advisory services for conventional and structured debt financings, and offers investment sale-brokerage services. For more information, visit www.buchananstreet.com.

Buchanan Storage Capital delivers debt and equity capital to the self-storage industry nationwide with competitive terms and a streamlined loan process. The firm uses its long-standing capital market relationship to complete each transaction. For more information, visit www.buchananstoragecapital.com.

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