The members of Las Candelas recently held the final meeting of their 2023-24 term at Oakmont Country Club. After the business of the day was conducted, the 2024-25 slate of officers and chairwomen were installed. Leading the group again as president next year will be Karen Swan.

Incoming Officers are 1^st Vice-President Cathy Keen, 2^nd Vice-Presidents JC Byer and Carol Ann Burton, 3^rd Vice Presidents Nancy Stone and Laurel Patric, 4^th Vice-Presidents Lynne Naeve and Pauline Beebe, 5^th Vice-President Margaret Cline and 6^th Vice-President Nancy Stone. Serving as business treasurer will be Ellyn Semler, Philanthropy Treasurer Patti Baker, Corresponding Secretary Rosina Maize, Recording Secretary Debbie Hinckley and Parliamentarian Rosina Maize.

Las Candelas celebrated its 70^th anniversary last year as a non-profit organization made up of women whose purpose is to give volunteer service and financial assistance to help improve the lives of children in vulnerable situations and to support awareness of their mental health needs. The philanthropies of Las Candelas are Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services in Glendale, Ascencia, Hillsides Youth Moving On (for transitional age youth), YWCA Glendale and Pasadena, and Sycamores in Altadena. Some of the projects and services the women of Las Candelas provide during the year include funding for art therapy for the children living at Ascencia and providing guest chef dinners; providing dinners and support for the transitional age youth attending career planning classes at YMO; having educational and fun programs for the boys at Sycamores including holiday and year-end parties, and funding for YWCA’s Camp Rosie and its Domestic Violence Program.

The group will launch its new year of service with an Italian-themed summer party on Sunday, Sept. 8 at Oakmont Country Club. To learn more about Las Candelas, visit the website www.lascandelas.org or check out the Las Candelas Facebook page.