On the Town: Guild members, guests open hearts, wallets to raise funds for hospital
“Live, Laugh, Love” was the theme of the Valentine luncheon held by the Guild at Adventist Health Glendale last Thursday at the Castaway restaurant in Burbank, which was where all of the livin’, laughin’ and lovin’ went on.
Before the luncheon, there were plenty of opportunities for guests to part with their money — all for a good cause, of course.
If the silent auction, some of which featured the Liz Mirzaian jewelry collection, wasn’t enough to attract a few dollars, the boutique was, featuring red clothing, red handbags, red jewelry and red candy pops.
A linen sale offered soft throws and heart-shaped pillows for a pittance.
Customers had to be lured away from the display tables to sit down for a lunch of tender roast beef and mashed potatoes as only the Castaway can serve.
In front of a sea of red, fancy wear, Anita Aghajanian, guild president, welcomed more than 150 guild members and guests.
Event chairwoman Mirzaian and her co-chair, Liza Boubari, were recognized for their hard work behind and in front of the scenes.
VIPs were introduced, including Glendale City Councilwoman Paula Devine and Armine Hacopian, a member of the Glendale Community College board of trustees.
Also recognized was Grace Carvajal, a luncheon table sponsor. She and husband, Sam, were recent recipients of Adventist Health Glendale’s inaugural Lifetime Legacy Award. The honor represents extraordinary philanthropic leadership.
Luncheon attendees from Glendale also included Boubari’s mother, Mary Boubari, Margaret Kaufman, Glady Kabateck, Kathy Lefkovits, Camille Levy, Peggy Martin, Laura Kopczynski and Ida Parker.
During lunch, Mirzaian presented the “Counting Our Blessings” recognition to Marina Raines. (co-honoree Michele Boghossian couldn’t be present.) The honor goes to guild members who have given extraordinary service to the organization.
Irene Bourdon, the hospital foundation’s president, also spoke, saying, in part, “Your service and your dollars make a difference in our hospital and our community.”
After guests had helped themselves to an overflowing dessert bar, Sandy Moreno and Mercy Velazquez enthusiastically gave a “Fund a Need” presentation.
The “need” is for equipment for the hospital’s Play to Learn Center for children with developmental disabilities. The “fund” is what is necessary to help families send their kids to summer and winter camps, offering therapeutic and fun activities to improve their development.
Funding was handled with fun. Moreno and Velazquez offered five levels of giving —$500, $250, $150, $100 and $50. Hands went up at tables all over the ballroom. When it looked as if generosity couldn’t be stretched further, $20 and $10 categories were quickly added, and more money went into the piggy bank.
Last year, the guild raised roughly $50,000 to help support three-dimensional mammography and a “Clothing Closet,” providing clothing for discharged patients in need.
Toward the end of the program, David N. Schultz brought down the house. He sang “My Funny Valentine” sitting in his wheelchair. His daughter, Jennifer Bertolet, who attended the luncheon, runs the David H. Schwartz property management firm.
Gayle Craig, annual giving/special events manager at the hospital, joined Schultz and Bertolet for a photo.
Singers Heather Olt and Todd Sherry provided the entertainment.
Mirzaian said $25,000 in luncheon proceeds is anticipated, made up of “Fund a Need” donations, luncheon tickets, the linen sale, silent auction and boutique.
The guild ladies don’t miss a beat in their quest to “fun” raise.
Ruth Sowby Rands may be reached at ruthasowby@gmail.com.