More than 200 supporters attended the 38th annual awards dinner of the Disabled Resources Center Dinner on June 19. A World of Ability was staged in the beautiful Harbor View ballroom of The Reef, with music provided by Blue Coral. The festive evening, which always has a warm,
Kate Bush under pressure to wipe contributions by paedophile Rolf Harris from he, family ambiance, included the presentation of civic,
True Religion Jeans Outlet, achievement and scholarship awards, a silent auction and opportunity drawing, and a delicious buffet dinner, with a photo booth donated by Alohi Enterprises, to help capture the memories of the evening. Proceeds from the evening s event help DRC to continue providing a wide range of services to people with all disabilities, regardless of their age, sex, ethnicity, sexual preference or disability.
Executive Director Dolores Nason and board President Timothy Lashlee welcomed the attendees and introduced the awardees and dignitaries present. David Sanfilippo, director of CSULB s Disabled Student Services served as master of ceremonies,
Pete Carroll- 'I’m hoping tha, a role he has fulfilled for many years. The Rev. Kit Wilke, board secretary and pastor of the Woodruff and Cross Roads UCC Churches, gave the invocation.The highlight of the evening featured the presentation of five special awards. Nanci Linke-Ellis received the Jerry Stein Memorial Independent Living Award for her work in helping individuals with disabilities, especially those who are hard of hearing; Rob Schlesinger received the Community Service Award,
San Francisco 49ers News — Ni, in recognition of his active involvement in advocacy and fundraising; and the Civic Leadership Award went to Union Bank, a substantial charitable investor in nonprofit organizations. Yulandria Pearson received the 2014 Volunteer of the Year Award for her nearly 100 hours of dedicated volunteer service at DRC. The Special Recognition Military Veteran Scholarship was awarded to Bronze Star recipient Ramon Garcia, an Army veteran of the war in Iraq who now attends CSULA.
Staunch supporters were recognized: Long Beach Transit represented by their new deputy CEO, Debra Johnson; Long Beach Yellow Cab s John Rouse; MV Transportation who donated the Grand Prize of a luxurious trip to Las Vegas; C.A.R.E. Evaluators Executive Director David Lee and Cynthia Lee; Global Paratransit General Manager Luis Garcia; Tippers members; Molina Health Care s Lisa Hayes; Access Services; Citizens Advisory Commission on Disabilities; Lutheran Social Services; the Law Firm of Mark Potter; Southern California Resource Services Executive Director James Baker; Dayle Macintosh Center s Andy Arias; Arthur Romo from Substance Abuse Foundation; Hearing Loss Association of America
Dolores Nason concluded the evening, saying, Not only is it wonderful to see our community and so many agencies coming to support us, but the individuals recognized this evening truly show that there is a world of ability. Seen at the scene: Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal with Evan Braude; Senator Ricardo Lara s District Representative, Svely Ngoya; Supervisor Don Knabe s Field Deputy, Connie Sziebl and husband John; Milt Wright, chairman of the State Rehabilitation Council. Board members Dora Hogan, Finola Campbell, Zeke Alcala, Shirley Hsiao, Gail Morrison, Katelyn Ramirez, Lloyd Saposnek and Henry Broadbent. More there were; Ms. Wheelchair California 2014, Theresa May De Vera; Al Buck; Beatriz Alcala, who did all of the beautiful table decorations; and Dolores Nason s family: husband George; son Scott and wife Lisa; daughter Natalie, owner of The Factory Gastrobar; her husband, Eric Gutenkauf, children Gaby, Caleb, and Berlin.
Steel MagnoliasDespite elaborately adorned pirates who greeted the guests, no one was asked to walk the plank! The costumed crew of Steel Magnolia volunteers warmly greeted mateys and their maids as they arrived at the home of Chairman Anthony Gagliardi on July 13 for a Voyage of the Seven Seas. The party was sold to raise funds for the children cared for at the Stramski Children s Developmental Center. The immense backyard was transformed into a pirate s den with a mermaid lounging in the pool to the delight of 50 or so guests. Adding to a fun evening, an upbeat band, the California Celts, enthralled partygoers with their lively music. Aqua blue-clothed tables were laden with booty of jewels and shells as well as denizens of the deep. Black Beard Pirate flags abounded.
Seen at the scene: President Judy McNulty Black and husband Don, Phil and Jeannie Jones, Gail Gray, Bonnie Scott, Doyle and Suzanne Powell, Janis Krantz and a bevy of delighted guests, some of whom were unidentifiable in their costumes.