On the Town: It’s a change of the guard for Las Candelas
Las Candelas members recently thanked outgoing President Ellyn Semler for her two years of service and congratulated Nancy Stone, who will pick up the gavel when meetings resume in September.
After year-end reports were presented, Cathy Keen conducted the installation of officers during the final meeting of the group’s year at Oakmont Country Club.
Joining Stone on the board are Joan Campbell, first vice president; Rosina Maize and Karen Swan, second vice presidents; Lynne Naeve and Ann Jones, third vice presidents; Monica Sierra and Patricia Aleman, fourth vice presidents; Jeri Benton Clark and Margaret Cline, fifth vice presidents; and JC Byer and Pattie McCormick, sixth vice presidents.
Others serving are Diane Russell, corresponding secretary, Ginny Simpson, treasurer, and Patti Baker, philanthropy treasurer. Semler will take the parliamentarian position.
Stone’s theme for the year is “Every Day Is a Gift.” A highlight of the day was welcoming new provisional member Suzonne Slaughter, who is a financial advisor and serves as vice president of external affairs of the YWCA of Glendale.
She is a past recipient of the Jewel of Glendale Award presented by the Glendale Commission for the Status of Women and a past president of the USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Women’s Council.
Las Candelas is a Glendale-based organization consisting of 40 active members. The group was organized in 1953 and incorporated in 1955.
Its purpose is to give volunteer service and financial assistance to help improve the lives of children and youth in vulnerable situations and to support awareness of their mental health needs.
Members provide programs for the children at Hillsides in Pasadena and Hathaway-Sycamores in Altadena. Other philanthropies the group supports are Ascencia, YWCA of Glendale and Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services.
President’s goal is to empower women
Jacky Hawley has chosen “Embrace, Educate, Empower” as the theme for her year as president of Soroptimist International of Glendale.
She gave her new board members little toy owls with mortar boards during the recent installation meeting at Oakmont Country Club.
Outgoing President Carol Ann Burton installed the new officers, handing them yellow roses, which represented the endeavors ahead.
Attending the meeting were Glendale City Council members Paula Devine, who is a club member, and Vrej Agajanian, as well as Burbank City Clerk Zizette Mullins.
Longtime member Dolly Carl received special recognition during the event. A $1,000 donation was made in her name to the Soroptimist International of the Americas Laurel Society.
Since 1994, more than 6,000 Laurel Society members have contributed nearly $10 million to help empower women through the Live Your Dream Awards and other Soroptimist programs.
Soroptimist International of Glendale designates an honoree each year.
Member Lynne Raggio thanked Carl her for friendship and steady support of Soroptimist over the years. Carl received a scrapbook made by Debbie Mallon that covered 25 years of activities.
Carl is moving to Pennsylvania with her daughter Barbara, who also attended the luncheon.
Lola Abrahamian, luncheon chair, presented Burton with thank-you gifts from the club. Burton gave a summary of the group’s achievements, acknowledging that each month had a significant activity.
JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.