LCPC Parent Education is having its annual gala, titled Making Lemons into Lemonade: Living Life with Zest, on Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Chevy Chase Country Club in Glendale. The event will feature a fun-filled night of entertainment, food and merriment. The event will be emceed by author and Rev. Dr. Chuck Osburn, humorist Chris Erskine and beloved auctioneer John Cervenka. The 2021 GMA Dove Award winner Evan Craft will also be attending from Nashville to perform his billboard hit “Be Alight!”

The event will honor 2023 Shining Star Sloan Walsh, who has served families for 20 years as a Parent Education instructor.

Former Board Chair Debra Barsom said, “Sloan Walsh is an extraordinary woman with a beautiful soul. Over the last 20 years, her wisdom and guidance has positively impacted hundreds of families through the Parent Education program, including mine. Sloan has a special talent for teaching. Her warmth and authenticity welcomes parents into her classroom and encourages deeper participation in class discussions. She’s a skilled communicator who provides really valuable practical advice for parents and the genuine support so many need. She’s a loyal friend with a heart of gold. She is also a loving wife and mother, who so clearly adores her family. This woman is a strong Christian who, by example, inspires people to be better and to do better. I’m blessed to know her, and I know that others feel the same way. Simply put, Sloan is a gift and she is more than deserving of this year’s Shining Star award.”

Additionally, 10% of all net proceeds will be donated to Young Life Capernaum, an organization supporting families of children with special needs in the local community.

Tickets are $125 and can be purchased online by Feb. 15 at https://bit.ly/PARENTEDGALA23.

The gala will include a sit-down dinner, wine and open bar, live entertainment, and a live auction. Additionally, Parent Ed will offer a silent auction from Feb. 14-28 (visit https://bit.ly/PARENTEDAUCTION23). Auction donations are still being accepted; contact the auction committee at lcpc.pe.auction@gmail.com.

Main Squeeze sponsors are Brad & Ashley Barrett, John & Melissa Schiller, Daniel &Sarah Vargas; Big Squeeze sponsors are Gordon & Dona Crawford, Peter & Carrie Kingston, Doug & Natasha Wood; Fresh Squeeze sponsors are Eva Vargas; and Zest Friends sponsors are Bob & Cathie Bautista, Vincent & Lauren Gallidoro, Brandon & Vanessa Ho, Cindy Olah, Mark & Monica Skeehan, Colin & Mikki Weightman, and Scott & Karen Young. Event underwriters include Michael and Debra Barsom, Anna Hasbun, Debbie and Andy Gilmour, Ted and Betsy Merchant, The Kim Family, The Leaw Family and the Choi Family.

For 44 years, LCPC’s Parent Education Program has maintained its legacy of reputable staff and quality education. Currently, the program offers 16 semester daytime classes and 10 express classes for parents and grandparents of children birth to college. Parents of children 0 to 5 years old attend Parent & Child classes, while parents and school-aged children attend Parent Only classes. Express classes current available in four-six week sessions meet in the evening, lunchtime and online. Class listings and online registration are available at www.lacanadapc.org/parented. Second semester just began and admission is rolling. Free trial classes are available at any time, just sign up online.

By Amanda BAUGHMAN