On the Town: Kiwanis Club honors member who spearheaded annual gala
Every organization, even those blessed with the most energetic and devout members, always has those who take their commitment to the cause a step beyond the rest.
While the Kiwanis Club of Burbank has been, and is, fortunate to have many dedicated members, each one would agree Marsha Jackson is one of those who has embraced her service to the club and the Burbank community as her life’s work.
For the past two decades, Jackson has been the driving force behind the organization’s annual fundraiser gala which, due to her work, has become one of Burbank’s most notable annual events.
Under her leadership, this event has honored individuals from all walks of life, families and organizations that have demonstrated commitment and generosity at exceptional levels.
Going back to 1998, when Jackson first began the gala, the organization’s list of honorees represents a “who’s who” of Burbank and Kiwanis luminaries: David Newsham, Mike Davis, Mary Alice O’Connor, Bill Wiggins, Rod Rothacher, Michele Jensen, Dean Immel, the Cusumano family, Larry and Sue Stamper, Gary Canfield, Johnny Grant, Raul Mena, Christopher Rose, Paul Moyer, Mary Alvord, Patrick Wayne, Kay and Don Farquhar, Sunder Ramani, the Burbank Health Care Foundation, Ken and Rose Nielsen, Debbie Reynolds, the YMCA of Burbank, Joe Mantegna and Alex Trebek.
As Jackson chaired what will be her last gala at Lakeside Golf Club this past Saturday evening, the organization once again paid tribute to all of its past honorees and also recognized Jackson herself, along with members of her extended family who have worked with her to stage the events during the past 20 years.
Back in 1998, having never staged galas of this magnitude, both Jackson and her fellow Kiwanians were at a loss as to how to bring all the elements together.
Knowing they needed expertise in putting together such an event, Jackson recruited members of her own extended family including Tony and Michelle Romano, David, Slade, Kay and Alison Hughes, and Hunter, Reagan and Mickalya Bennett.
Working together as a team led by Jackson, the Romano, Hughes and Bennett families quickly became an integral part of each year’s gala that, duringthe past 19 years, have raised more than $1 million the Kiwanis Club then directs back into the Burbank community.
Among the local dignitaries in attendance at last week’s gala, which was emceed by singer Johnny Holiday, were City Council members Bob Frutos and Sharon Springer, assistant city manager Justin Hess, Police Chief Scott LaChasse, city treasurer Debbie Kukta, Kiwanis Club of Burbank President Charles Chavoor, Kiwanis First Vice President Lisa Malm, officers Luis Centeno, Thomas Engman, Cathy Hutt, Harvey Branman, David Harris, Cynthia Faust, Jim Gibsona and Ron Rothacher, along with club directors Nicole Abu-Chakra, Bob Archer, Don Hurst, Kellie Lupe-Smith, Chuck Stuart, Pat Beuthler, Chris Gargaro, Jackie Jones, Steve Oakley and Hazel Schrefel.
DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.
