On the Town: Guild throws fiesta with flair fundraiser
If you’re going to throw a fiesta, what better day to do it then on Cinco de Mayo? And if you’re going to throw it with flair, who better to do it than the officers and members of La Providencia Guild of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles?
The Burbank-based guild, chartered in 1947 to raise awareness of and support for the Los Angeles pediatric facility, annually stages three major events — a gala holiday fashion show, a summer membership drive and a spring dinner-and-dance cotillion. This year, with the spring event falling on May 5, it only made sense to stage it with a south-of-the-border theme.
Close to 300 guild members and supporters convened at Sunland’s Angeles National Golf Club for Sunday’s Fiesta with a Flair fundraiser, which included music by Mariachi de Seda and a performance by Danza Folklorica Puro Corazon. Welcomed by event Chairwoman Joan Chandler and guild President Rosemarie Witten, special guests included Councilman Bob Frutos, City Clerk Zizette Mullins and former Mayor Larry Stamper.
The organization, which operates the Children’s Hospital Thrift Shop on Burbank Boulevard, is currently working with other associated guilds to fund an endowment that will advance developmental neuroscience at Children’s Hospital. “Without your loyal support we would be hard-pressed to fulfill our commitment to the children who depend on Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, along with the gifted and dedicated staff who tirelessly provide care and perform miracles,” Whitten told Sunday’s assemblage.
Among the many guild members who put in countless hours to make this year’s cotillion a success were officers Deborah Spang, Lynn White-Shelby, Dorothy Austin and Lorelei Kelley, and event committee members Sandra Kelley, Barbara Mann, Debra Rowlands, Janet Jack, Nancy Johnson, Karen Barragan, Connie Lawless, Pat Maskell, Shari Pearce, Ann Schwab, Glenda Jones, Sidney Jones, Judy Gragg, Sue Meckley and Dorothy Austin.
Along with the philanthropy of guild members and supporters and the annual fundraisers, the organization raises funds by selling clothing, jewelry, household items, books, furniture, collectibles and other treasures at its boutique thrift shop located at 3301 W. Burbank Boulevard. The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and always welcomes treasure-hunters to stop in and browse. The shop also appreciates donations of items in good condition that can be dropped off during shop hours.
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DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.
