On May 24, over 50 active, life and associate members of Las Candelas gathered at Oakmont Country Club to celebrate 65 years of helping the community’s most vulnerable children. Organized in 1953 and incorporated in 1955, the mission of Las Candelas is to volunteer service and financial assistance to help improve the lives of children and youth in vulnerable situations and to support awareness of their mental health needs.

Associate members Judy Heyes, Mary Barber, Esther Bowen and Bette Ryan joined the active members to celebrate the milestone and to witness the installation of next year’s officers and committee chairwomen. Life members Sally Perkins and Diane Johnson were also present at the meeting. Johnson presented a detailed history of the early days of Las Candelas and how the women would drive to the State Mental Health Facility in Camarillo to support the children who resided there. She told stories of adopting a boys’ ward and hosting barbecues and pine box derby competitions. Las Candelas was a partner in the founding of the Verdugo Mental Health Facility on Colorado Boulevard (now Didi Hirsch) when they recognized a need in the area for pediatric mental health services. Today, the group continues to offer financial and hands-on support to Didi Hirsch.

Other philanthropies include Ascencia, the Glendale YWCA, Hillsides Education Center in Pasadena and Hathaway-Sycamores in Altadena. In addition to financial support, the group provides monthly programs and year-end parties for Hillsides and Hathaway-Sycamores and serves meals to the homeless at Ascencia. Funds to support the Las Candelas philanthropic work are raised at its biennial luncheon-fashion show event. The next event will be held Monday, March 4, 2019 at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel.

The installation of next year’s officers was conducted by member Anna Brewer. The slate includes Nancy Stone, president; Joan Campbell, first vice-president; Karen Swan and Rosina Maize, second vice-presidents; Ann Jones and Lynne Naeve, third vice-presidents; Monica Sierra and Suzonne Slaughter, fourth vice-presidents; Jeri Clark and Teresa Nall, fifth vice-presidents, and JC Byer and Pattie McCormick, sixth vice-presidents. Teresa Nall will also serve as recording secretary and Diane Russell will continue as corresponding secretary. Business treasurer for 2018-19 will be Ginny Simpson and philanthropic treasurer will be Patti Baker. Past president Ellyn Semler will serve as parliamentarian.

After the meeting and installation, the group gathered outside for a photo and later celebrated 65 years of service with lunch and an anniversary cake. Following a summer break, Las Candelas will reconvene in September.

For more information about Las Candelas or next year’s benefit, visit www.lascandelas.org or email to info@lascandelas.org.