On Dec. 10, members of Las Candelas joined forces with staff at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services in Glendale to wrap hundreds of Christmas gifts for the center’s young clients. Didi Hirsch serves children and youth who have psychological and behavioral challenges requiring specialized care and treatment, many coming from single parent and financially challenged homes. The gifts were presented to the children by their counselors during the holiday season.

Las Candelas is a group of women formed in 1953 to provide volunteer service and programs to emotionally challenged children. The group annually assists Didi Hirsch Center (formerly Verdugo Mental Health in Glendale) with the undertaking of wrapping the wide variety of gifts. Assisting Didi Hirsch Events Coordinator Jacqueline Buda were Las Candelas members Patti Baker, Mary Lane, Joan Campbell, Margaret Cline, Cathy Keen, Ginny Simpson, Ellyn Semler, Carolyn Beaton and Shirley Johnstone.

Las Candelas also provides monthly programs, activities and support to the children at Hathaway-Sycamores in Altadena and the students at Hillsides Education Center in Pasadena. Other philanthropies include Glendale Healthy Kids, Ascencia and the Glendale YWCA Domestic Violence Program.

Submitted by Cathy KEEN

  Jacqueline BUDA