Agency honors members of an extended family

Imagine a fundraiser that boasted the attendance of close to 250 of Burbank’s movers and shakers along with the mayor, a full complement of the city council, the city manager, his three predecessors and nine of the 20 living former mayors.

There was no need to imagine that this past Friday evening. It actually happened as the Family Service Agency of Burbank presented its annual “Imagine a City” fundraiser on the campus of Providence High School.

The annual event, which pays tribute to special members of the community with the bestowal of the Mary Alice O’Connor Vision Award, was a family affair as three generations of one local family — the Clarkes, Vargas Machucas and Vander Borghts — were honored.

Among the 25 extended family members who were honored, many of whom have worked, or currently work, in public education and for municipal governmental agencies, each one has dedicated their time and talents to work with local civic and youth programs, faith ministries and nonprofit organizations.

Among the most notable of the recognized family was Jef Vander Borght, who served on the Burbank City Council and as the city’s mayor in 2005-06.

Other honorees were Owen, Carol, Mark, Kelli, Amy and Erin Clarke, Susan, Kyle, Marissa, Jill, Michael and Jack Vander Borght, Humberto, Sydney and Michael Vargas Machuca, Tom, Everly and Clarke Crowther, Kary, Noah and Lucy Rappaport, Bonnie Atkins, Jef Radino, Darcy Edwards, Triana, Kevin and Lyra Ramazan, Teeontay Moore and Tani, Craig and Finley Bess.

“The members of this extraordinary family serve quietly and graciously, which is the same thing we at FSA strive to do,” said Laurie Bleick, the agency’s executive director. “They do so in a way that mirrors the work of Mary Alice O’Connor, who served Burbank in so many voluntary roles for 66 years. They do it for no other reason than that it is a part of the family’s culture and essence.”

Following a cocktail reception and silent auction, Friday’s assemblage was welcomed by Bruce Osgood, the agency’s board president, and Ross Purdy, vice president, to the evening’s main event hosted by Burbank bon vivant Jack O’Neill and former Burbank Mayor Michael Hastings that included remarks by Bleick, dinner and an award presentation.

Among the special guests in attendance to honor the family were Mayor David Gordon and Vice Mayor Bob Frutos. Along with the aforementioned Hastings and Vander Borght, seven other former Burbank mayors — Emily Gabel-Luddy, Jess Talamantes, Gary Bric, Anja Reinke, Dave Golonski, Marsha Ramos and Larry Stamper — were also part of the gathering, as were City Manager Mark Scott and his predecessors, Mike Flad, Mary Alvord and Robert “Bud” Ovrom.

Included in the list of those who made the 2014 “Imagine a City” event a success were agency board members Yasmine Wolfe, Alan Keith, Brian Miller, Jim O’Neil, Michael Albanese, Anita Schackmann, Samuel Scriven and Teri Stein, along with committee members Pat Smola, Sue Hoon, Robin Schwer, Barbara Sykes, Rene Williamson, Zita Lefebvre, Brenda Burroughs, Vicky Fenton and Chris Krohn.

Funds raised at Friday’s event will benefit all of the agency’s programs that include children and youth counseling provided at 18 Burbank schools and the agency’s transitional-housing program.

DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.