Dan Linegar, instrumental leader at Burbank Temporary Aid Center, dies

Memorial services will be held Saturday for Dan Linegar, a longtime board member for Burbank Temporary Aid Center. Linegar died Nov. 27 of complications associated with his respiratory system at the age of 67.

Linegar, who was born in Cincinnati, was a Burbank resident since 1991, and had been a longtime volunteer with the Burbank Temporary Aid Center when he was elected to the board in 2004, according to an announcement from the nonprofit.

At that point, he was already closely associated with the nonprofit’s “Santa’s Room” project, which provides Christmas gifts to the children of Burbank’s homeless and low-income residents.

“Santa’s Room” began as a few shelves in a shed behind nonprofit’s previous headquarters. Under Linegar’s guidance, the program grew to take up its own building space. Last year, the program distributed more than 7,000 toys.

“Dan was always the dream sort of board member, not one who just shows up for an occasional board meeting and isn’t heard from otherwise,” Barbara Howell, executive director of Burbank Temporary Aid Center, said in a statement.

The announcement from the nonprofit on Wednesday also included a statement from Will Rogers, co-chair of the 2011 Santa’s Room project, who said Linegar “took the lead in charming landlords for the enormous space we require each year for 10 weeks.”

Linegar also founded Burbank’s “Relay for Life,” an annual fundraising event for the American Cancer Society.

Linegar is survived by a sister; a daughter; son-in-law; and one granddaughter. He also leaves behind Victoria Sands, whom he once described as his “very significant other,” according to the Burbank Temporary Aid Center.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. A reception, to which all friends and fellow volunteers are invited, will follow at 2960 N. Myers, Burbank.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggested donations to Burbank’s “Relay for Life,” or to the Burbank Temporary Aid Center.

-- Maria Hsin, Times Community News

Twitter: @mariahsin