Whether eager to get a jump on holiday shopping or wanting to take the dog for a walk in the park, there’s plenty going on in the Crescenta Valley on Saturday including the Prom Plus Holiday Boutique (left) and the California Council of the Blind Mutt Strut.
Opportunities abound this weekend to support a variety of non-profit events.
By Jason KUROSU, Mary O’KEEFE and Samantha SLAYBACK
Saturday promises something for everyone when several non-profits host a variety of local activities.
The California Council of the Blind will take over Crescenta Valley Park with its Annual Mutt Strut on Saturday morning. The event used to be held at the Los Angeles State Historic Park but a couple of years ago organizers brought the run to Crescenta Valley Park and fell in love with the community and the location. The staff of the L.A. County Dept. of Parks and Recreation, local community support and collaboration were cited as reasons for moving the event and why they enjoy the park.
“It is a very dog-friendly environment,” said Mutt Strut organizer Donna Pomerantz. “[Participants enjoy] the ability to experience a wide, open natural setting and the ability to experience the feeling of different textures under our feet while experiencing the cross-country course.”
She added that the course, which is similar to the one Crescenta Valley High School cross-country team uses, is the perfect setting. The trees are also a big draw.
“Traveling under a canopy of trees and experiencing the grass, the natural dirt and bridge over the wash are [all great additions],” she said. “The park is hidden within a residential neighborhood so as to allow for a brief escape from the rush of being directly within the city around rushing traffic.”
The California Council of the Blind was established in 1934 with a mission to gain full independence and equality of opportunity for all blind and visually impaired Californians.
The Mutt Strut is a 2K/5K fun-run/walk that is open to all runners. The event is expected to bring in about 100 walkers/runners but that number can rise to accommodate 400. Students from CVHS cross-country and track teams and members of Prom Plus Club will help with the event. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the 2K/5K Run/Walk beginning at 9 a.m. Registration for adults is $40, $20 for students ages 13 to 18, and $10 for children 6 to 12. Children 5 years old and younger are free. There is no registration fee for dogs.
Snacks will be provided. Transportation will be available by Access Para Transit for those who qualify for its use, by automobile or by fixed route public transportation.
The funds raised go directly to promoting security, education and equality for Californians with visual impairments and will also benefit the City of Hope.
For more information on the event, visit www.firstgiving.com/CaliforniaCounciloftheBlind/mutt-strut-2015-losangeles. Crescenta Valley Park is located at 3901 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta.
One of the major fundraisers for Prom Plus, its Holiday Boutique, will offer a variety of baked goods and prizes in support of the annual post-prom event, which gives local teens a safe way to celebrate and unwind on Prom Night.
The Holiday Boutique will be held at St. Luke’s of the Mountains Church on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More than 30 vendors will be selling goods in support of Prom Plus, said Donations Chair Kyle Studebaker. Raffle prizes will also be given away to a select few lucky winners.
The event is just one of a number of fundraisers organized in anticipation of the 21st annual Prom Plus, to be held on May 21, 2016 at the Crescenta-Cañada YMCA.
According to Studebaker, the cost of hosting the event, which typically sees about 450 students come by, ranges anywhere from $22,000 to $25,000, much of which is raised through donations and events like the Taste of Montrose and the Holiday Boutique.
Prom may be six months away but the preparation and fundraising starts early to put on the regular attractions found at Prom Plus like blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, billiards, photo booths, ziplines, a rock climbing wall, gyroscope, arcade games, temporary tattoos, and a mechanical bull, to name just a few.
Those interested in donating money and/or gift prizes can contact Kyle Studebaker at (818) 421-1945 or email kyle.studebaker@lmu.edu.
Financial support can also be mailed to Prom Plus, P.O. Box 212, Verdugo City, CA 91046.
Visit www.promplus.org for more information.
Also on Saturday is the La Crescenta Woman’s Club’s annual collectibles show and appraisal event.
Started last year, the LCWC created the event to raise money for the club and, in turn, the charities to which they donate.
“This is only our second year holding this event,” said LCWC President Carol Huntwork. “This is a new event, but last year was very successful.”
The event will be held at the Woman’s Club at 4004 La Crescenta Ave. across from the American Legion Hall. People are welcome to come by any time between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
As part of the event, former LCWC member and local antique shop owner Jackie Sabres will be charging guests $5 to verbally appraise any of their antique or vintage items. She will be donating the money raised from these appraisals to the Woman’s Club. Community members and business owners will also have rented booths set up to sell antiques.
“Rolls and coffee will also be provided to guests in the morning for breakfast,” added Huntwork. “We may also have a baked potato bar [for lunch].”
For additional information regarding the annual collectibles show and appraisal event, contact event chair Debbie Cant at (818) 957-1951.
The La Crescenta Woman’s Club meets from October to June.
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