Community: Spring is blooming with myriad fundraisers

Ah, spring is here and with it comes a multitude of fundraisers.

Glendale YWCA officials presented the 18th annual Legacy Luncheon in mid-March at Oakmont Country Club. Two Burbank women were among six honored for their volunteer work empowering women and children, which is the purpose of the YWCA.

Welcoming guests were Michelle Roberts, the YWCA’s executive director, Teryl MacDougall, board president, and co-chairs Ilena Blicker and Carol Ann Burton.

The event not only recognized four adult female volunteers and two teen female volunteers, but it served as a reminder of the programs the YWCA offers. The main one is the domestic violence program. It provides a shelter for victims and their children to help them move on to a life without violence after fleeing their abusers.

Last year, 38 women, one man and 28 children were helped at the emergency shelter. The domestic violence hotline received 786 calls for help, information and counseling and the service center assisted 330 families cope with the effects of living with abuse.

Mistress of ceremonies was Cater Lee, a veteran news producer and Emmy-winning broadcaster, who presented four women with the Heart & Excellence Awards.

Lynn White-Shelby of Burbank is president-elect of La Providencia Guild of Los Angeles Children’s Hospital and gives time to the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank, the Verdugo Glen chapter of the American Business Women’s Assn. and Burbank Senior Citizens Board.

Cheering her on were her husband, Dean Shelby, daughter Linda Miller, brother Bill Brown, and friends Janet Lata, Myrna Bunzey, Sue Ann Gordon, Shanna Warren, Barbara Howell, Nancy Johnson, Lori Hartwell, Anne Marie Johnson, Ardis Bazyn, Grace Schwartz, Michelle Villagran, Sharon Terranova, Rosemarie Witten, Malena Tappan, Deborah Spang, Karen Volpei, Maryon Parnes, Dennis Skotak and Dorothy Fontana.

Other honorees were Yasmin Beers, Miryam Finkelberg and Lou Rhodes, all of Glendale.

Receiving the Jane O’Connor Volunteer Service Awards were Candace Kim and Allison Zadravecz.

Candace is a senior at Burbank High School and gives time to the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank, Key Club and Friends at Play, a facility that serves children with special needs.

Allison is a senior at Crescenta Valley High School. She earned her Girl Scouts Gold Award for planning a day camp for homeless children at Hope Gardens. She also volunteers with Elizabeth House, American Cancer Society and Operation Gratitude.
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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be contacted at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.