Charity league honors young volunteers

The San Marino Chapter of National Charity League Inc. celebrated 16 young women who have spent the past six years volunteering 7,792 hours at 20 local organizations.

The ball was held on Dec. 22 in the Crystal Ballroom of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. The theme was “The Golden Threads of Tapestry.”

The local organizations that work with the San Marino chapter include the Almansor Center, Armory Center for the Arts, Foothill Family Service, LAC/USC Medical Center, Pasadena Humane Society, Pasadena Ronald McDonald House, Villa Esperanza, San Marino and South Pasadena public libraries, Pasadena Senior Center, Huntington Memorial Hospital, Ability First, Kidspace Museum and Main Street Attraction.

Paige Sachi Kunitake received the Merci Award in recognition of earning the most philanthropic service hours.

Gilbert Baldomero de Cardenas introduced the debutantes.

Every girl carried a bouquet of roses tied with a purple ribbon. They wore a white gown and gloves and a traditional charity league gold and pearl medallion.

Jonathan Shedd Howe held each girl’s hand as she made her way through the floral arch to the dance floor.

The mothers of each young woman were also introduced and recognized for all the time they dedicated to the organization, which fosters mother-and-daughter relationships through community service projects.

The following debutantes were presented:

Brigitte Louise Alanis, daughter of Allison and Paul Alanis of Pasadena; Kelsey Virginia Buckner, daughter of Patti and Jeffrey Buckner of San Marino; Whitney Wondries Catalano, daughter of Susan Wondries Catalano of La Cañada Flintrdige; Joan Elise Del Santo, daughter of Nancy and Michael Del Santo of San Marino; Nicole Celeste Dezzutti, daughter of Tracee and Robert Dezzutti of San Marino; Nicole Bayat Grajewski, daughter of Shana and Wayne Grajewski of San Marino; Catherine Rose Grimes, daughter of Marie and Richard of San Gabriel; Lauren Alexander Kerns, daughter of Christianne and David Kerns of Pasadena; Paige Sachi Kunitake, daughter of Ann and Reid Kunitake of San Marino; Casey Kathleen McCloskey, daughter of Joanne and Kevin McCloskey of San Marino; Lindsay Allison Miller, daughter of Susan and Paul Miller of San Marino; Michelle Louise Mohr, daughter of Lisa and Thomas Mohr of San Marino; Jacqueline Caroline Molina, daughter of Giovanna and H. Adolfo Molina of Pasadena; Morgan Emma Shepherd Romey, daughter of Gretchen Shepherd and Michael Romey of San Marino; Caroline Jacqueline Wallis, daughter of Kathleen and James Wallis of San Marino; Annie Van Sant Wenzlau, daughter of Cindy and William Wenzlau Jr. of San Marino.