Community: Arts foundation gears up for fundraiser

The Burbank Arts for All Foundation kicks off its inaugural gala, titled “Party on the Plaza,” by honoring a local company and two individuals — Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., Burbank teacher Beth Morrison and Burbank PTA Council President Barbara Miller.

The event will take place on April 27 at the Networks Garden Café Plaza at the Media Studios North campus, 3355 W. Empire Ave., Burbank. The co-chairmen are Craig Murray and Alexandra Helfrich.

NBC4 weathercaster Fritz Coleman is the host. Proceeds will benefit the arts foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure that every student in Burbank public schools has access to a quality visual and performing arts education as part of their core curriculum.

The inaugural dinner’s honorary chairs are filmmakers Tim Burton, Garry Marshall and Don Hahn, as well as former Walt Disney Studios chairman and motion picture producer Dick Cook.

Event co-chairs are the Walt Disney Company’s Joan McCarthy and Hollywood Schoolhouse’s Lili Rossi. The gala begins at 6:30 p.m. with hosted cocktails and a silent auction, followed by dinner, awards presentation and dancing.

Tickets are $100 per person and sponsorship packages begin at $1,000. For information, visit www.burbankartsforall.org, email Trena Pitchford at trena@burbankartsforall.org, or call (818) 736-5269.

Funds raised will go to the foundation to provide future grants, Pitchford said. The foundation accepts applications for arts education funding in September and March from teachers, teaching artists, principals, district representatives, PTAs and booster clubs.

The grants are based on merit, and applications are reviewed by a grant review panel. The foundation also seeks to partner with community organizations and corporate businesses to provide matching grants for an arts program or project.

Kiwanians team up on food drive

A food drive is being organized by the Burbank Kiwanis clubs to benefit the Burbank Temporary Aid Center on Saturday.

Burbank Kiwanians will be outside local stores distributing fliers and requesting donations from the community. They will be at Albertsons, 3830 W. Verdugo Ave., Pavilions, 1110 W. Alameda Ave., and Sprouts, 1011 N. San Fernando Blvd.

CareWalk provides student counseling

The fifth annual CareWalk of Burbank is planned for April 28 at Johnny Carson Park. Funds raised will support the Family Service Agency’s no-cost counseling program for the Burbank Unified School District.

Co-chairmen are Eric Hansen and Mickey DePalo.

The program started six years ago as a result of surveys that showed a need for counseling students who were having difficulties coping with issues at school or at home, Hansen said.

When the program began, counselors from the Family Service Agency were counseling students in middle schools. Later, high schools were added to the program and then counselors started counseling elementary school students.

The CareWalk is a 5k that goes three times around the park. Check-in is at 7:30 a.m., with the walk beginning at 8.

There will be 15 exhibitors from the community providing giveaways, like DVDs, activities for children and healthy snack items and water.

Participation fees for kindergarten through 12th grade and seniors 60 and older are $15; adults, $25. Fees go up by $5 if purchased on the day of the event. Team fees are youth and senior teams, $125; and adult teams, $225.

All walkers receive a commemorative T-shirt.

“This program is a tremendous asset to the entire community because it benefits not only children who are having troubles at school, but youths having problems at home,” Hansen said. “And if you are able to take care of that individual, the class experience for students and teachers is a lot better.”

For more information, call (818) 845-7671 or email fsaofburbank@yahoo.com.

Group to raise funds at casino night

The Verdugo Glen Chapter of the American Business Women’s Assn. is hosting its third annual fundraiser, “Casino Royale III,” from 7 to 11 p.m. on April 27 at Brookside Golf Club in Pasadena. There will be dinner, dancing, live music, a silent auction and gaming.

Proceeds benefit member educational programs and local student scholarships.

For ticket information, contact Dr. Kella Price at (661) 526-6578 or drkellabprice@gmail.com, or for event information, contact Lynn Shelby at (818) 512-4079. Tickets are $55. After-5 attire is suggested.

JOYCE RUDOLPH can be contacted at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.