On the Town: NCL fundraiser is a night of magic
While every evening spent looking down on the lights of Burbank and the San Fernando Valley from the Castaway restaurant is magical, this past Saturday saw the level of magic amped-up as the Burbank Chapter of National Charity League presented its annual casino fundraiser under the theme: “A Magical Night Under the Stars.”
Welcomed by the organization’s president, Kim Kaufman, and the event’s chairwoman, Amy Wilke, more than 200 members and supporters of the mother-daughter leadership group filled the restaurant’s Verdugo Room to peruse a silent auction items and array of door prizes coordinated by Olivia Boyce and Theresa Treadway, enjoy a buffet dinner, close-up magic demonstrations, casino gaming and dancing.
“This really is a magical evening,” Kaufman said. “The focus is on our philanthropy partners and all proceeds raised will go to their work. So magic is the perfect theme as we celebrate our 55th year of making magic in the lives of so many young women, our community and all of the local nonprofits we have served over the years.”
Among the organizations that benefit from the volunteerism and support of league members are the local Boys & Girls Club, Burbank Arts for All, the Burbank Community YMCA, Burbank Coordinating Council, Burbank Family Service Agency, Burbank Historical Society, Burbank Library, Burbank on Parade, Burbank Rose Float Assn., Burbank Temporary Aid Center, the Colony Theater, Kids’ Community Dental Clinic of Burbank and Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center.
Special guests in attendance at Saturday’s event included the current class of the league’s Senior Ticktockers — members between seventh and 12th grades — Darby Adams, Bella Barbarino, Rachel Flinders, Jenna Jayasinghe, Allyson Jessen, Megan Kenney, Cassandra Madrazo, Amanda Martinez, Loran Kraljevski, Kelsey Strong and Sara Treadway.
Committee members who worked with Kaufman and Wilke to assure the success of Saturday’s gala included Marti Kinson, Denise Verhoeven, Judy Monji, Char Tabet, Michelle Duarte and Whitney Crispi.
With last week’s fundraiser behind them, local league members are now preparing for their senior presentation that will take place on April 4 at the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel and their May 9 fashion show and award Luncheon, where the funds raised are distributed to their beneficiaries.
The Burbank chapter of National Charity League Inc. was organized in 1959 and chartered in 1960. Its activities initiate and encourage charitable endeavors as well as the fostering of mother-daughter relationships in social, cultural, leadership and philanthropic training.
Mothers, referred to as Patronesses, and their Ticktocker daughters work both together and within their age group, to carry out philanthropic, cultural and educational activities.
Burbank’s National Charity League chapter currently has a membership of 70 Patronesses and 75 Ticktockers. The group is currently coordinating a membership drive that is open until Feb. 20. Membership is open to young women entering seventh to 10th grades by this fall.
For more information, visit www.NCLBurbank.org or email info@NCLBurbank.org.
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DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.
