Love was all around at Tennis Ball
Joyce Rudolph
The competition was stiff during the first Tennis Ball dinner dance.
But no one was near a court.
Instead, a superb array of silent auction gifts kept guests
running back and forth to the bidding sheets during the fundraiser
for the Family Service Agency, now known as Families First in
Burbank. City Manager Mary Alvord was mistress of ceremonies and
welcomed the more than 200 guests to the Oct. 8 event at The
Castaway. A steak-and-salmon dinner was served and dance music was
provided by the band Orange Colored Sky.
Mayor Marsha Ramos presented Kermit Floyd, president of the board
of directors, with a Mayor’s Commendation for his financial guidance
of the agency. Ramos asked guests to singing “Happy Birthday” to
Laurie Bleick, agency executive director, and also presented her with
a Mayor’s Commendation for her tireless efforts with the agency for 3
1/2 years.
Proceeds from the dinner and tennis tournament, preliminary figure
is $70,000, officials said, will go to the agency’s two programs --
the battered women and children’s services and the Burbank Unified
School District collaborative programs.
The agency provides an outreach program for battered women and
their children, which provides counseling, peer support groups, legal
advice, food, clothing and emergency shelter.
In addition, the agency works with the school district on three
projects. Two projects provide on-site counseling services for all
three middle school campuses and the Community Day School, an
alternative school with 80 students from 12 to 17. The third
program, based at the agency’s office, provides group counseling to
elementary age students and their parents.
Joyce Starleaf led the committee members buzzing back and forth
during the party, including Mayor Marsha Ramos, Janet Killian, Julia
Larsen, Pat Smola and Marie Brannon.
Ticktockers, like Elizabeth Starkand, of the National Charity
League, Burbank Chapter, escorted guests to their seats and blew up
balloons in colors of, what else, lime and white -- like a tennis
ball -- to go with the tennis racket centerpieces.