Helping coordinate Burbank for 70 years
Laura Sturza
Even living in Southern California, an umbrella can come in handy.
The Burbank Coordinating Council -- which celebrates its 70th
birthday this year -- has been the city’s umbrella organization for
more than 70 nonprofit groups that help keep the city in top form.
In monthly meetings, these city movers and shakers, described by
member Police Lt. Tim Stehr as an “extremely dedicated” group whose
members “really care about the community,” meet to exchange
information and cheer one another on accomplishing their civic goals.
Treasurer Pat Gunn joined the group 30 years ago as a Parent
Teacher Assn. representative because she found the programs and
speakers interesting, but said she stayed for the camaraderie between
the members.
“It’s not a stiff meeting,” Gunn said. “Everybody has a good
time.”
Each month, a speaker from one of the city’s departments or one of
the organizations updates the group on its activities. Recent
meetings featured guest speakers from the Joslyn Adult Center and the
city manager’s office.
The group has been a spawning ground for new organizations, such
as the Middle School Citizenship Awards, which was started by the
council and taken over by the Woman’s Club of Burbank 18 years ago,
club president Julia Larsen said.
“It honors students who are never recognized, who do their
homework, are involved in school politics, have good attendance and
are not tardy,” Larsen said.
In addition, the council has sponsored two programs for several
decades. A summer camp program that sends children from low-income
families to camp has been operating since 1938, with more than 200
children attending each year. Since 1946, the group has distributed
holiday baskets. In 2002, more than 600 families received baskets.
Luncheon meetings are the first Monday of the month, October
through May. For information about the Burbank Coordinating Council,
call Sue at 845-3252.