On the Town: Guild members see how children benefit from author luncheon
Glendale and La Crescenta members of the La Cañada Flintridge Orthopaedic Guild recently attended the 59th Book and Author Luncheon to benefit the Orthopaedic Institute for Children.
More than 170 people attended the luncheon at the Angeles National Golf Club. There was a silent auction, raffle and 50/50 drawing, said Arlene Massimino, guild press representative.
All proceeds from the event go to the institute, where medical care, including surgery, if needed, is provided to children without consideration about their family’s financial status. Members also volunteer numerous hours in several departments at the downtown campus.
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Michael Sullivan, the institute’s vice president and chief philanthropy officer, introduced 10-year-old As’ad Kashim from Nigeria who was born with severe cerebral palsy. He was unable to stand and could only crouch in a baseball catcher’s position, Massimino said.
As’ad and his family made the trip to the United States and came to the institute, where he received six hours of surgical procedures as well as extensive follow-up physical therapy. To the delight of guild members and their guests, As’ad walked into the banquet room with the aid of a walker and personally thanked everyone attending. He was greeted by joyous applause.
Local resident John Kralik, author of “A Simple Act of Gratitude: How Learning to Say Thank You Changed My Life,” gave an inspiring talk on how he turned a feeling of despair to joy, just by performing a simple act of gratitude, repeated daily. All of his books sold out in a short time.
Children’s author and illustrator Frans Vischer, a Glendale resident, brought everyone up to date on the latest adventures of Fuddles, a fictional cat based on the author’s feline who weighs 16 pounds and is very pampered.
The story tells how Fuddles gets used to a new housemate — Puddles — the new dog. Vischer’s book, “Fuddles and Puddles,” released in September, is available at Once Upon A Time Bookstore in Montrose.
Two of Vischer’s illustrations were auctioned by former La Cañada resident Mary Beth Perrine, senior director of community outreach at the institute.
The event was co-chaired by Ginney Pruitt of Montrose and Carolyn Geer of La Crescenta, with all members helping on the committee. Joan Cleven of La Crescenta is president.
Veterans groups honor firefighters, paramedics
American Legion Post #288 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1614 held their veterans breakfast earlier this month and honored firefighters and paramedics who serve the foothill community.
Each station was presented with a certificate of appreciation from both veterans groups and the Crescenta Valley Town Council.
In addition, American Legion Challenge Coins were given to each firefighter attending.
The Glendale Adventist Medical Center Healthcare Foundation will host its annual Light Up a Life tree-lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the hospital’s West Tower Lobby.
The annual tradition is celebrated throughout the United States to increase awareness of hospice care. Adventist Health hospice services’ caregivers help patients and their families deal with medical, social, psychological and spiritual aspects of illness.
The event is free and open to the public. Pastor Darrell McGowan, from Foothill Christian Church in Pasadena, will be the keynote speaker.
Many participants have made a donation to the foundation and their gifts will illuminate the Christmas tree. The names of family and friends will be inscribed in a tribute booklet. Proceeds will benefit Glendale Adventist Medical Center’s hospice services and Beyond Loss bereavement support programs.
Glendale Adventist Medical Center helps people through the grieving process with Beyond Loss bereavement support groups, education, newsletters and individual counseling. The ministry also provides professional training and certification for bereavement facilitators.
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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.