On the Town: Volunteer groups put the fun in funds

While offering up financial support to charitable organizations has become a challenge in recent times, two local organizations put the fun in funds as they staged respective fundraisers this past week.

The Volunteers of the Burbank Animal Shelter (VBAS) welcomed supporters to their second Laugh Your Tail Off — A Night of Comedy to Save the Animals fundraiser at Flappers Comedy Club on Thursday evening. Presenting two shows, at 8 and 10 p.m., notables in attendance included Burbank Assistant City Manager Joy Forbes, Assistant Community Development Director Michael Forbes, former Police Captain Janice Lowers, Colleen Duffy Felix who serves as a senior production associate with the city’s public information office, Senior Assistant City Attorney Mary Riley and Animal Shelter Manager and Senior Animal Control Officer Brenda Castaneda who was joined by her husband, John.

“We received a lot of positive response from this event last year and so we decided to do it again,” said VBAS President Denise Fleck. “While the money raised this evening will be added to our general fund, we are specifically looking to purchase ultrasound equipment and to make some improvements to various facilities at the shelter.”

Hosted by James P. Connolly and featuring the comedic stylings of Hal Sparks, Dana Eagle, Justin Schlegel and Mary Lynn Rajskub, Thursday’s event was made possible by Flappers owner Barbara Holliday, VBAS Vice President Alaina Kovel, board members Chris de Zorzi, Eleanor O’Brien, Cathy Minzer, Anne Macleod, Martin Small, Eva Sippel, Arika Bishop and Tanyada Soonthon and volunteers Jon Kovel, Megan Carrol, Ayra Laciste, Jennifer Garcia, Adam Weirich, Amy Reynolds, Kris Torres, Basia Lew, Becky Cyr, Nikki Roberts, Sally Chasman, Andrea Aguirre, Tara Causland and Monique Martin-Heath.

The following evening the Boys and Girls Club of the East San Fernando Valley continued the fun and fundraising with their annual Texas Hold ‘em Poker and Bingo Tournament held on the campus of Woodbury University.

The organization’s executive director, Shanna Warren, and others who made the event a success included staff members Arpineh Khodagholian, Anita Nazarian, Barrington Edwards, Brittany Vaughan, Jeudy Mom, Yeva Aslanyan, Jay “Jax” Jackson, Jose “Giovanni” Quiroz, Julio Herrera, Sherry Delizia and Iris Romero, board President Leena Mathew and Vice President Sherine Saad, and board members Michael Dragan, Darrin Borders, Dan Stillwell, Michael Walbrecht, Dave Augustine, Michelle Bouse, Lorrie Copeland, Lynn White Shelby, Ron Davis, Kevin McCarney, Douglas Raymond, Darin Ryburn, Al Shapiro, Tom Steele and Robin Tarufelli.

Among those who enjoyed the evening were Burbank City Treasurer Donna Anderson, Police Commissioner Nat Rubinfeld and Park, Recreation and Community Services Board Member Barry Gussow. Also in attendance were Dean Shelby, Jack Reardon, Alma Rubinfeld, Pat Augustine, Cheryl Davis, Joy and Michael Forbes, Karen Volpei and Kathleen and Bryon Hillesland.