The La Cañada Junior Women’s Club announced the newly inducted 2020-21 executive board of directors and appointed board members who were heralded at the 51st annual installation ceremony held on Oct. 21 via Zoom.

LC Junior Women’s Club President Trish McRae welcomed everyone and gave special recognition to each former board member for their exemplary work. She was joined by Executive Vice President Analily Park who introduced each new board member and personally prepared special thank you bags for outgoing members.

The 2020-21 executive board members are: President Trish McRae; Vice-President Analily Park; Treasurer Stephanie Avanessian; Secretary Georgina Mueller; General Membership Director Karen Thurston; Provisional Membership Director Natalie Hubbard; Philanthropy Service Director Carmela deBrouwer; Philanthropy and Operations Fundraising Director Rima Sirrieh; Philanthropy Nominations Director Alice Perez; Community Outreach Director Gayle Hagegard; Past President Jill Chapman. The appointed board members are: Inspiration Coordinator Vanesa Wittenberg; Parliamentarian Brenda Gant; Social Committee Co-Coordinator Laura Plourde. Stepping up for dual roles are Social Committee Co-Coordinator Georgina Mueller; Public Relations Coordinator-Social Media Analily Park; Public Relations Coordinator-Print Media Alice Perez.

McRae’s theme for the year is “Launching a Path for Our Future” as reflected in the creative, new service projects and social events geared to rekindling friendships and attracting new members. The goal is to make a difference in the community thru innovative fundraising and service activities for local youth, as well as donating to the Club’s designated charity Mending Kids of Glendale.

“For over 50 years, the Juniors have made it their mission to assist women and children in need,” said McRae. “They have had a laser-focus on this mission, and this year is no exception. The Juniors are an amazing group of talented, resilient and kind women who thrive on making a difference through social service. The great thing about the Juniors is you can have fun establishing friendships, while providing critically-needed service for others. It’s a total win-win.”

In 1969, Jane Napier Neely and a group of other dynamic women founded the LCJWC. Since that time, the Juniors have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars, and hundreds of service hours, which have benefited women and children in the foothills’ community and beyond.

In addition to her duties as Juniors president, McRae is the Kiwanis Club of La Cañada vice-president, responsible for programs, is the secretary for the Community Scholarship Foundation of La Cañada Flintridge and is also a CSF scholarship liaison to schools. She is a chamber ambassador for the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce and Community Association and is on the La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses, Hospitality Committee.

With degrees in both child development and marketing, McRae has honed a career of boosting children and teens to their greatest ability. Originally from the town of Gilroy, the Garlic Capital, McRae has focused on youth-oriented service from volunteering as a soccer and softball coach to mentoring kids as a Girl Scout troop leader and serving as a stage manager in children’s musical theater. She has simultaneously worked as a preschool teacher and a realtor. She has been married for over 35 years to David, who is a former member of the board of education for the Gilroy Unified School District.

Also lending her talents is Executive Vice President Analily Park who will work double-duty as public relations coordinator for social media. Park is actively involved in a wide-range of community-based organizations throughout the region and brings her wealth of experience to support the goals of the Juniors in engaging and dynamic ways. Park is proud to bring her background in graphic design, sustainability and arch-interior design as a way to make the club stand out in her social media presentations.

For the last two years Park has served as public relations director for Kobeissi Properties.

The La Cañada Junior Women’s Club is currently accepting applications for provisional members through the end of this year. Currently, the club is launching a new type of special event titled, “Passport to Winter Shopping” to be held Dec. 3 thru Dec. 10 to raise much-needed money for their designated charity. A shopping passport has been created that will encourage members, and the general public, to make purchases at local businesses online or in a socially distanced way in person at local shops throughout La Cañada Flintridge, Montrose, Glendale and Pasadena. Passports each cost $25 and will include a swag bag of gifts valued at more than $50. Those who would like more information about the Juniors may call McRae at (818) 568-6411; email the club at lcjwclub@yahoo.com or visit lcjwc.org.