Dave & Jan Hotchkin “Spirit” Awardees

The La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation is proud to honor LCF residents Dave & Jan Hotchkin with this year’s “Spirit of Outstanding Service Award.” They will receive their award at the Foundation’s annual Major Donor Reception to be held Oct. 5. The Foundation will honor the Hotchkins again at its annual gala on Feb. 24, 2007.

The Major Donor Reception is held each fall to thank Foundation donors who contribute $1,000 or more to the preceding year’s fund-raising campaign.

“We are delighted to honor Jan and Dave Hotchkin with this year’s ‘Spirit of Outstanding Service Award’,” said Janna Gosselin, president of the LCF Educational Foundation. “They have been tremendous leaders in this community, devoting their time, expertise and financial resources to the Educational Foundation and our local public schools.”

The Hotchkins moved to La Cañada Flintridge in 1997 and have consistently taken community service leadership roles in the community. Dave Hotchkin was an Educational Foundation director for three years prior to serving as a trustee for the LCFEF Endowment Fund, a position he has held for the past five years. He is a USC graduate and currently a principle at Anchor Pacifica Group, a real estate investment company. He is also an avid golfer and a 22-year member at Annandale Golf Club.

Jan Hotchkin has served as a La Cañada Girl Scout leader for seven years and is the recipient of the organization’s “Outstanding Leadership Award.” She, too, is a USC graduate with a master’s in education and three teaching credentials. Jan is involved with the National Charity League and is co-chairing the National Charity League’s Christmas Boutique, which is being hosted at the Hotchkins’ La Cañada residence. Jan is also active with the Flintridge Guild Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and is the chairperson for their “American Girl” benefit. Additionally, she is a full-time resource specialist teacher at Palm Crest Elementary School.

The Hotchkins have two children and three lovable Labrador retreivers. Their son Jonathan is a 2004 LCHS graduate, while their daughter Carolyn is a freshman and member of the volleyball team. Of their three dogs, “Maggie” is quite special. She came to them via the LCFEF gala in 2004 when Jan and Dave matched a bid for another Labrador that was auctioned at the event.

Among their many interests, the Hotchkins love to travel. One of their more memorable trips occurred last year when they took a 23-day bicycle tour through Italy’s Tuscany region with stops at many of the area’s beautiful wineries as well as tours of homes formerly occupied by ruling families and dignitaries from centuries earlier.

Catering for the reception is to be donated by The Perfect Bite Co. through the generosity of Teri & John Valentine and Joe Forristal. The Valentines are the former owners of TasteBud’s Catering which is still in business with Ms. Valentine serving as consultant. The Perfect Bite Co. makes frozen hors d’oeuvres, such as the award-winning Pastry Kisses, which can be found at Ralphs Fresh Fare, Gelson’s, Gourmet Imports and Jensens, among other retailers.

Music will be provided by Padres Trail, a hometown band with vocalist Greg Lee, guitarists Jim Yukich and Dave Hale, and percussionist Steve DePew.

The La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation is a working group of individuals, businesses, foundations, and community organizations committed to providing financial support for the public schools of La Cañada Flintridge. Foundation support allows the La Cañada Unified School District to continue such programs as class size reduction, art, drama and music instruction, and high school guidance and college counselors, among others.