On the Town: Burbank Kiwanis Club gala thanks Joe Mantegna

By David Laurell

Aug. 25, 2015 2:57 PM PT

With more than 92 years of service to Burbank youth, local nonprofit organizations and the community-at-large, members of the Kiwanis Club of Burbank has, since 1998, also made it an annual tradition to honor local citizens for exceptional displays of leadership, compassion and generosity at their annual gala.

For the 18th consecutive year, the organization again presented its premiere fundraising event, this year honoring actor and local restaurateur Joe Mantegna, at Lakeside Gold Club this past Saturday evening.

Joining the ranks of individuals who have left a positive and indelible mark on Burbank, including former Mayors Larry Stamper and Bill Wiggins, former City Manager Mary Alvord, former Police Chief Dave Newsham, former Fire Chief Mike Davis and actress Debbie Reynolds, who served as Miss Burbank in 1948, Mantegna, the owner of Taste Chicago restaurant, is currently known for his role as FBI supervisory special agent David Rossi in the CBS police procedural “Criminal Minds.”

“The purpose of this event is to raise much-needed dollars for the many charities supported by Kiwanis and the opportunity to honor community leaders who have truly made a difference,” said the gala’s chairwoman, Marsha Jackson. “Burbank Kiwanis is proud to honor Joe Mantegna, a man of distinction, heart and family values.”

Passionate in his support for numerous charities that work with active and veteran military personnel and their families, and children with disabilities such as autism, Mantegna, who was accompanied by his wife, Arlene, at the event on Saturday, is a supporter of Circle of Friends, the Gary Sinise Foundation, Act Today for Military Families and Operation Gratitude.

The event, attended by Kiwanis Club of Burbank President Diane Cripe, Mayor Bob Frutos, Council members David Gordon and Emily Gabel-Luddy, City Clerk Zizette Mullins, school board member Armond Aghakhanian and numerous members of the Cusumano family of Burbank’s Cusumano Real Estate Group who served as the evening’s platinum sponsor, was made possible by the event committee composed of co-chairs Wally Kendig and Gary Peterson as well as Ron Rothacher, Joe Terranova, Ryan Curry, Nancy Serpa, Hazel Schrefel, Cynthia Faust, Don Hurst, Lisa Malm, Edsel Curry and Harvey Branman.

Since its inception, this gala has raised close to $1 million for local charities including the Roy and Patricia Disney Cancer Center, the local Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, Burbank High School’s music and drama programs, Key Clubs at four high schools, the Burbank YMCA, the Boy and Girl Scouts and the Burbank Community Dental Clinic.

DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.