Three local women honored by Las Candelas

Las Candelas will celebrate 60 years of serving emotionally challenged children during its Springtime’s Promise fashion show luncheon on Feb. 25 at the Marriott-Burbank Airport Hotel.

Three women will be honored for giving nearly 50 years each to the women’s organization. They are Fran Buchanan, Merle Hollywood and Diane Johnson.

Merle Hollywood will be honored posthumously as one of the award recipients for 50 years of service. She passed away three weeks ago after a brief illness. Accepting her award will be her daughter, Mary Ashford. Hollywood served as president of Las Candelas in 1970-71 and again in 1989-1990. She held many offices and served as Patron Chairman for many years.

Members continue to provide mental health, life skills and cultural programs for children through residential homes, schools and facilities of Hillsides, Hathaway-Sycamores, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services (formerly Verdugo Mental Health Center), Glendale Healthy Kids and the Glendale YMCA’s Domestic Violence Program.

Fashions are by Lourdes Chavez, whose career of designing for the stars began with her winning the Nolan Miller “Dynasty” contest. Actress Linda Evans wore the outfit Chavez designed on the TV series.

Bobbi Gangi and Diane Russell are co-chairwomen and Monica Sierra is president.

For reservations, call Debbie Hinckley at (818) 244-9183. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for the pre-show boutique with a variety of vendors. Luncheon and the fashion show begin at 11:45 a.m.

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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be contacted at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.