On the Town: Officials embrace Imagine a City gala
For more than 60 years, the Family Service Agency of Burbank has forged, cultivated and celebrated relationships with the community as well as with those who have been in need of its vital services.
Dedicated to its mission of offering quality counseling, care, education and advocacy at low or no cost, the agency has dramatically changed and saved the lives of local individuals, couples, families and active and veteran members of the armed forces.
Providing housing, crisis intervention, legal guidance, safety in the face of domestic violence and hope for those in the grips of mental illness and substance addiction, the agency has been embraced and supported by Burbank’s governmental, corporate, business, residential and faith-based communities.
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Representing those factions, more than 300 supporters gathered for the Family Service Agency’s annual Imagine a City gala fundraiser at Providence High School Saturday, Oct. 8.
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FOR THE RECORD
10/20, 11:57 a.m.: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the gala was held Saturday, Oct. 15. It took place Saturday, Oct. 8.
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Welcomed by Laurie Bleick, the agency’s executive director, Pat Smola, the organization’s finance director, and Ross Purdy, board president, supporters enjoyed the evening that included a courtyard social hour, silent auction, dinner, entertainment and the presentation of the 2016 Mary Alice O’Connor Vision Awards.
The awards honor the memory, work and spirit of O’Connor, a longtime dedicated community volunteer and founding board member of the agency, who died in 2010.
This year saw honors bestowed upon Burbank City Manager Ron Davis and the Burbank Bike Angels represented by the organization’s founder Elaine Pease.
Davis, who was accompanied by his wife, Cheryl, has served as the general manager of Burbank Water and Power since 1999 and was named city manager earlier this year.
Pease, a building division inspector for the city of Burbank, established Burbank Bike Angels in 2008 to restore used bicycles for children in Burbank and the San Fernando Valley. Since then, the program has expanded to more than 50 volunteers who will be refurbishing more than 200 bikes to be delivered this Christmas.
Among the notables in attendance at Saturday’s gala were Burbank Vice Mayor Will Rogers, City Council members Emily Gabel-Luddy, Bob Frutos and David Gordon, City Treasurer Debbie Kukta, City Clerk Zizette Mullins and former city managers Mike Flad and Mary Alvord.
The event was made possible by the event’s committee and board members including Anja Reinke, Yasmine Wolfe, Michael Albanese, Michael Hastings, Samuel Scrivens, Brian Miller, Jim O’Neil, Anita Schackmann, Stacy Cashman and Teri Stein.
For more information about the Family Service Agency of Burbank and its services, to volunteer or to make a financial donation, call (818) 845-7671.
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DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.
