PASADENA, CA (May 18, 2024) – On a beautiful spring evening, nearly 300 guests gathered under the stars on the lawn of the Annandale Golf Club to set sail for Bon Voyage, a Gala & Auction to Benefit Foothill Family and support children and families.
The evening’s Emcee, Nick Di Nieri of Auctioneers for Good, welcomed and energized the crowd before turning the stage over to Julietta Perez, Gala Host Committee member and Chair of the Board of Directors, and Priscila Stanton, Gala Host Committee member and President of the Friends of Foothill Family. Julietta welcomed guests and said, “Thank you all for being here tonight—we’re here to make a difference in the lives of thousands of children and families. Foothill Family serves families struggling with mental health concerns, developmental needs of their youngest children, accessing proper care in school, and seeking support for their loved ones.” Priscila added, “For many years, I have seen the impact we collectively make when we pool our resources. Foothill’s mission is special to you and me. It is with great joy that I stand here and remind you that together, we have the power to make a difference in our communities.”
Steve Allen, Foothill Family Chief Executive Officer thanked guests, “Thank you all for being here this evening! Your support directly impacts the families we serve, and we couldn’t do it without you. You are making a real difference in people’s lives, helping them overcome challenges and find hope for the future. Thank you for being a part of our journey.”
Steve also recognized Dr. Patricia Valdez who is retiring after a decade of serving as one of Foothill Family’s Licensed Psychologists.
U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu thanked Foothill Family for impacting nearly 24,000 children and families in the community yearly and providing vital services including mental health services in 181 schools throughout 18 school districts.
Guests saw firsthand how their donations impact clients through videos of families whose lives were transformed by Foothill Family’s essential services. One such story featured Alondra, who, while pregnant, learned her son had kidney disease. She bravely left everything behind to seek better treatment for her son. With Foothill Family’s support, she received essentials such as diapers and joined the Pathways to Professions program to get licensed to open her daycare.
The evening also featured both silent and live auctions along with an after party and casino featuring live music by Members Only Yacht Club.
Special thank you our Host Committee: Vanessa Wolf Alexander, Steve Allen, Jeremy Baker, Marisa Callahan, Nellie Duran, Stefani Freeburg, Sheela Gade, Liz Hall, Denise Lam, Lindsey Lansburgh, Marie Levenick, Lisette Gaviña Lopez, Christine Muller, Ron Myrick, Julietta Perez, Priscila Stanton, Melissa Wu and Heidi Xue
With gratitude to our Top Patron Sponsors:
Captain’s Table – Cathay Bank Foundation, The Callahan Family, and Priscilla Hunt
Regent’s Suite – Kaiser Permanente, and Mickey & Lee Segal
Grand Lounge – Vanessa Wolf Alexander & Matthew Alexander, Jeremy & Erin Baker, LA County Board Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Tom Boyle & Wendy Lees, City National Bank, Don Francisco’s Coffee, Freeburg & Granieri, PNC Bank, Prolase Laser & Aesthetics, and Solstice Medicine Company
About Foothill Family
Serving the community for nearly 100 years, Foothill Family was founded in 1926 and provides a range of community-based mental health and social services. Through its leadership in supporting underserved populations in Southern California, the agency has earned a reputation for providing high-quality services aimed at achieving brighter futures in which individuals and families thrive, communities are strengthened, and generations are enriched. Programs include mental health and school-based services for children, a focus on early childhood development and parent education, youth and family services including child abuse prevention and treatment, domestic violence prevention and treatment, elder abuse prevention and treatment, and services for pregnant and parenting teens. For more information, please call (626) 993-3000 or visit www.foothillfamily.org.
Foothill Family Honors Community Heroes at The Enchanted Garden Gala Celebration
FOOTHILL FAMILY BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
(L-R) Chuck Tapert, Julietta Perez, Keith Piken, Jeremy Baker, Chang Liu, Sudhir Potturi, Vince Lawler, Tina Chiou, Lisette Gavina Lopez, Sheela Gade, Laurel Bear, Kristopher Lythgoe, Marisol Sanders, Margaret Juarez, Silvia Solorio, Steve Allen, Vanessa Wolf Alexander
FOOTHILL FAMILY BON VOYAGE GALA HOST COMMITTEE:
(Front L-R) Denise Lam Marisa Callahan, Steve Allen, Liz Hall, Marie Levenick
(Back L-R) Lindsey Lansburgh, Nellie Duran, Stefani Freeburg, Sheela Gade, Ron Myrick, Vanessa Wolf Alexander, Julietta Perez, Jeremy Baker, Lisette Gavina Lopez
FRIENDS OF FOOTHILL FAMILY
(Front L-R) Denise Lam, Peony Cai, Tina Chiou, Amelia Swabb, Priscila Stanton, Alexandra Wu, Anna Liang, Dana O’Neill, Jennie Chang
(Back L-R) Rochelle Siegrist, Julietta Perez, Nellie Duran, Sheela Gade, Stefani Freeburg, Melissa Wu, Liz Hall, Vanessa Wolf Alexander, Marie Levenick, Valerie Yee
U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu with Foothill Family Chief Executive Officer Steve Allen