On the Town: Leadership Burbank reaches out to help children’s dental clinic
Since it was established in the late 1990s through a partnership of the Burbank Chamber of Commerce, the city of Burbank, the Burbank Unified School District and Woodbury University, Leadership Burbank has provided attendees a broad understanding of how the city works from a governmental, educational, nonprofit as well as a faith-based, business and community standpoint.
Each year, those who enroll in the nine-month leadership training program take on a project to better the city and benefit its residents.
This year, the class of 2018 embraced the Burbank-based Kids’ Community Dental Clinic. Its facility has been in desperate need of capital improvements.
To assist in the raising of funds to make that project a reality, current Burbank Leadership attendees, alumni and supporters recently convened at the Urban Press Winery in downtown Burbank.
The fundraiser, billed as the “Brighter Smiles Benefit for the Kids’ Community Dental Clinic,” was chaired by Leeron Tal Dvir, who welcomed the assemblage that spent the evening tasting wines, enjoying food catered by the Yard House and California Eatery, perusing a silent auction and listening to music by the AAA Jazz Band.
Lauding Emily Lopez of the Burbank Housing Corp., who serves as the project manager, Tal Dvir expressed the importance of the work the 2018 class is providing for the clinic.
“We are doing everything we can to assist the staff of this valuable clinic by providing them with much-needed facility renovations and upgrades, the creation of modular work stations and a more child-friendly environment,” Tal Dvir said.
“These improvements will help them increase their patient care by more than 300 children a year, and to be able to carry out their mission to provide high-quality services and care in a way they are truly capable of doing,” she added.
Among the special guests in attendance at the gathering were Dale Gorman, executive director of the dental clinic, and board president Thomas Kissinger, who has presided over the board of directors since the unexpected death of his predecessor, Richard Marias, this past summer.
“Dr. Marias would have loved what Leadership Burbank is doing,” Kissinger told the gathering. “He would have been so supportive of this project, of a community coming together to work in such a cooperative and collaborative way to make this happen.”
Along with former City Manager Mary Alvord and former Community Development Director Sue Georgino, who have played instrumental roles in creating the Leadership Burbank curriculum, other notables in attendance were Vice Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy, City Councilwoman Sharon Springer, City Atty. Amy Albano, former Mayor Tom Falvin, who now serves as the chief executive of the Burbank Chamber of Commerce, and Judith Arandes, executive director of the Burbank Housing Corp.
Others who enjoyed the evening included Vic Georgino, Gerrard Panahon, Michelle Sucillon, Sunny Singer, Barbara Miller, Renee Johnson, Rick Sessinghaus, Christina Williams, Florencia Teran, Cristina Ferialdi-Spratt, Adriana Garcia, Christine Rumfola, Carla Monterrosa, Alexander Wysocki, Sally Veres, Dawn Greenwood, Kelly Landaverde, Nancy Lozano-Stecyk, Margo Rowder, Limor Zimskind, Konstantine Anthony, Alejandra Gillette-Teran, Mary Riley and Lisa Matzner Eaton.
Leadership Burbank seeks the commitment of individuals interested in the enhancement of community life in Burbank, especially those interested in greater leadership responsibility for the future of the community.
For more information about the program or sponsorship opportunities, which are tax deductible, contact the organization at (818) 934-0452.
DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.
