Proceeds from event will benefit Play to Learn pediatric medical center.
By Michael BRUER

On Wednesday, Feb. 12, the community is welcome and encouraged to enjoy a Valentine luncheon that features Armenian food and to participate in a silent auction at Glendale Adventist Medical Center. In addition, several members of the Women of Jewelia group will be on hand to discuss their experiences sharing a necklace, as told in Cheryl Jarvis’ 2008 book, “The Necklace: Thirteen Women and The Experiment That Transformed Their Lives.” The proceeds of the event will benefit the Play to Learn Center –a department that offers a unique approach to learning for children with deficiencies or disabilities.

The luncheon is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Impressions Banquet Hall at 212 N. Orange St. in Glendale. The event is open to the public, and tickets are available for $50 per person. Tables of 12 will be on sale for $600, and inquiries can be made by calling Hilda Bogossian at (818) 648-9814 or Liz Mirzaian at (818) 409-8057. Attendees can expect to enjoy traditional Armenian cuisine, complete with chicken kebobs and an assortment of appetizers.

The Women of Jewelia scheduled to speak include Priscilla Van Gundy, Mary O’Connor, Mary Osborn, Dale Muegenburg, Tina Osborne, Jone Pence and Nancy Huff. In addition, Melody Mattingly is expected. The women are poised to make a special announcement and will also bring signed copies of the book that will be available for purchase.

The 13 women who make up the Women of Jewelia are a varied group of individuals who embrace different religions, political views and backgrounds. Their story is one that has been told and re-told over the past decade since the group was conceived by Jonell McClain in 2004. It was on Saturday, Sept. 18 of that year that the women visited Van Gundy’s in Ventura, a jewelry store owned by Tom Van Gundy. After much negotiating, the women were able to buy a 15.24-carat necklace for $15,000. The women agreed to share the necklace and over the years how it affected each of them and touched their lives made for the novel released in 2008. They have appeared on Good Morning America, journeyed on book tours across the country, and were honored at the Ronald Reagan Library for their philanthropy during the 25th anniversary celebration of Habitat for Humanity in Ventura.

The inspirational group of women made a stop at the Glendale Adventist Medical Center in 2009, and are being invited to return to share the adventures they’ve had since their last visit.

Those interested in attending the luncheon can mail a check to the Glendale Adventist Medical Center Healthcare Foundation, 1509 Wilson Terrace, Glendale, 91206 or pay at the door.

  Michael BRUER