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ROSEMARY CHILDREN’S SERVICES RAISES OVER $200,000.00 AT 48TH ANNUAL “AN EVENING WITH STAR CHEFS” BENEFIT |
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PASADENA, Calif. – Over 600 prominent, concerned, and caring friends attended Rosemary Children’s Services’ 48th Annual “An Evening with Star Chefs” benefit at the historic Santa Anita Park on June 25, 2011. Founded by Julia Child in 1963, "An Evening with Star Chefs" is Pasadena’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious culinary benefit. Guests enjoyed an evening of fine wines, beer, and tequila; live entertainment provided by Stone Soul; a top notch silent and live auction, and exquisite cuisine prepared by the premiere chefs from some of the area’s most prestigious restaurants.
“I have had the honor of volunteering for this wonderful event for nine consecutive years,” said Ralph Ramirez, Rosemary Children’s Services Board of Directors President. “Over the years, I have seen the event grow and prosper into what it is today; one of the oldest and premiere charitable dining events in Los Angeles, raising over $200,000.00 to support the foster children and youth of Rosemary Children’s Services!”
Participating restaurants and companies included: Aguirre Tequila Imports, Ah! How Sweet, Amoretti, Bistro 45, Bittersweet Treats, Celestino, Crepe Studio, Dandy Don’s Ice Cream Sundae, El Cholo, El Portal, FrontRunner at Santa Anita, Hansen’s Beverage Company, Heritage Wine Company, Il Fornaio, Mi Piace, MillerCoors, Noir Food and Wine, Paco’s Mexican Restaurant, Pasadena Baking Company, Peet’s Coffee and Tea, Quady Winery, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, San Antonio Winery, Sierra Bistro, Stockholm Crystal Vodka, The Cheese Store of Pasadena, and University Club.
This year’s theme for the 48th Annual “An Evening with Star Chefs” celebrated a girl’s potential and star power, with an emphasis on female empowerment and collaboration. Elena Elkina, Vice President of Boston Private Bank & Trust Company served as Event Chairwoman along with Honorary Chairwoman, Elizabeth Rusnak Arizmendi, Vice President of Public Relations for the RUSNAK Auto Group. Lisa Nichols, Best-Selling author of two "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books and featured teacher in "The Secret" served as the Celebrity Mistress of Ceremonies. Theresa Lin, author  of 16 seminal cookbooks and hailed as“The Julia Child of Taiwan” by celebrated Film Director, Ang Lee, provided a live cooking demonstration in which she prepared Cantonese-style scrambled eggs with shrimp and stir-fried beef and broccoli. Sylvia Lopez, KCAL 9 News Anchor, Val Zavala, KCET’s SoCal Connected News Anchor, and Danielle Keene, BRAVO TV’S Top Chef Just Desserts Finalist and Owner of Bitter Sweet Treats were all presenters at this year’s event.
Teresa Lamb Simpson, District Representative for Congressman Adam Schiff and long time supporter and volunteer for Rosemary Children’s Services, was awarded Rosemary Children’s Services’ 2011 Golden Star Award, a prestigious award given to one exemplary volunteer each year who has gone above and beyond to support and serve the Agency. “Teresa Lamb Simpson has been a long time supporter of Rosemary Children’s Services,” said Greg Wessels, Executive Director for Rosemary Children’s Services. “We only found it fitting to award Teresa the 2011 ‘Golden Star Award’ for her dedication to serving our District and community at large.”
Major Sponsors for this year’s event included Wells Fargo, Santa Anita Park, RUSNAK Mercedes Benz of Arcadia, Maria de la Luz, Boston Private Bank & Trust Company, and U.S. Bank.
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ROSEMARY CHILDREN’S SERVICES TO AWARD TERESA LAMB SIMPSON “GOLDEN STAR” AWARD AT 48TH ANNUAL “AN EVENING WITH STAR CHEFS” BENEFIT |
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PASADENA, Calif. – For nearly 15 years Teresa Lamb Simpson, District Representative for Congressman Adam Schiff, has served the constituents of the 29th Congressional District. This includes casework, responding to requests for information, organizing events such as the Congressional Arts Competition, attending events and meetings on the Congressman’s behalf, keeping informed about the various issues of concern in the community and serving as a community liaison between constituents and the Congressman. For her dedication to the City of Pasadena and the other cities of California’s 29th District including, Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, Glendale, San Gabriel, Temple City, Monterey Park, and South Pasadena, Rosemary Children’s Services will award Teresa Lamb Simpson with the prestigious 2011 “Golden Star Award” on June 25, 2011 at the 48th Annual “An Evening with Star Chefs” Benefit at the historic Santa Anita Park.
“Teresa Lamb Simpson has been a long time supporter of Rosemary Children’s Services,” said Greg Wessels, Executive Director for Rosemary Children’s Services. “She took part in the ribbon cutting ceremony for our Adoptions Agency nearly a decade ago, has attended nearly every annual open house event here at Rosemary Children’s Services, has served on our Planning Committee for our largest annual fundraiser for several years, and is always willing to lend her expertise and support when needed. She can be found throughout all of Pasadena, representing Congressman Adam Schiff and the 29th District very proudly. We only found it fitting to award Teresa the 2011 ‘Golden Star Award’ for her dedication to serving our District and community at large.”
Teresa’s list of community involvement is extensive and covers a wide range of interests. She served on the Board of the United Nations Association, Pasadena Chapter, and the Executive Board of the Pasadena Police Activities League, on the City of Pasadena’s Commission on the Status of Women and the Library Commission, and volunteered for the Junior League of Pasadena, Planned Parenthood Pasadena, the Pasadena Senior Center and other local organizations. Teresa’s current volunteer commitments include Rosemary Children’s Services, the San Rafael Library Associates Board, the YWCA Pasadena and various political organizations. For her community involvement, Teresa has received the City of Pasadena’s Chief’s Special Award for Excellence, THE Magazine’s 50 Fabulous Women Over 50 Award, the Democrat of the Year Award, the Starfish Award from the California-Hawaii Elks Association, and Rosemary Children’s Services Golden Star Award.
Founded by Julia Childs in 1963, "An Evening with Star Chefs" is Pasadena’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious culinary benefit. Year after year, “Star Chefs” attracts over 500 prominent, concerned, and caring friends to enjoy an evening of fine wines, exotic beers, live entertainment, a top notch silent and live auction, and a one of a kind opportunity to sample exquisite cuisine prepared by the premiere chefs from some of the area’s most prestigious restaurants.
The 48th Annual “An Evening with Star Chefs” Event will celebrate a girl’s potential and star power, with an emphasis on female empowerment and collaboration. Lisa Nichols, Best-Selling author of two "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books and featured teacher in "The Secret" will serve as the Celebrity Mistress of Ceremonies. BRAVO TV’s Top Chef Just Desserts Finalist and owner of Bitter Sweet Treats, Danielle Keene,will serve as the Celebrity Female Chef. In addition, Theresa Lin, author of 16 seminal cookbooks and hailed as“The Julia Child of Taiwan” by celebrated Film Director, Ang Lee, will provide a live cooking demonstration.
Confirmed restaurants include: Aguirre Tequila Imports, Ah! How Sweet, Bistro 45, Bittersweet Treats, Celestino, Crepe Studio, Dandy Don’s Ice Cream Sundae, El Cholo, El Portal, FrontRunner at Santa Anita, Heritage Wine Company, Il Fornaio, Mi Piace, MillerCoors, Nikki C’s, Noir Food and Wine, Paco’s Mexican Restaurant, Pasadena Baking Company, Peet’s Coffee and Tea, Quady Winery, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, San Antonio Winery, Sierra Bistro, Stockholm Crystal Vodka, The Cheese Store of Pasadena, and University Club.
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: ELIZABETH RUSNAK ARIZMENDI |
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Rosemary Children’s Services is proud to introduce Elizabeth “Liz” Rusnak Arizmendi as this month’s Volunteer Spotlight. Arizmendi was “honored and tickled” when she found out that she was named this years’ Honorary Chairwoman at RCS’ 48th annual “An Evening with Star Chefs.” Having grown up in a family where sisterhood was important, Elizabeth found RCS to be the perfect place to volunteer her efforts feeling that it’s important to “provide a safe environment so they (children) can become productive women in society.”
Elizabeth Rusnak Arizmendi has become a tireless advocate for Rosemary Children’s Services, helping spearhead new fundraisers, reinvigorating old ones and introducing new sponsors to RCS events such as “An Evening with Star Chefs”. As the Vice President for Rusnak Auto Group as well as Vice President of Public Relations, Arizmendi was able to utilize Rusnak Auto Group’s full resources with sponsorship and in-kind donations for this year’s event. Elizabeth’s efforts at this year’s event helped Rosemary Children’s Services raise over $200,000.
Rosemary Children’s Services is proud to highlight 2011 “An Evening with Star Chefs” Honorary Chairwoman, Elizabeth Rusnak Arizmendi!
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COUNCILWOMAN JACQUE ROBINSON KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR THE ROSEMARY SCHOOL 2011 GRADUATION CEREMONY |
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PASADENA, Calif. – Family, friends, and supporters gathered at Rosemary Children’s Services’ historic Cottage for the 2011 Graduation Ceremony for the Rosemary School. This year the Rosemary School celebrated the graduation of four high school graduates, Sherry M., Courtney O., Pamela R., and Shantia R., as well as the culmination of 8th grade graduate Brittany D..
“We are extremely proud of these young women,” said Dr. Frederick Martone, Director of Education for the Rosemary School. “With so much they have overcome, they truly are a success. This is just the beginning of the rest of their lives.”
Councilwoman Jacque Robinson served as the Keynote Speaker for the Graduation Ceremony. A proud public school graduate, one of the youngest elected officials in the history of the City of Pasadena, and with her devotion to issues of youth and young adult development, Robinson provided the 2011 graduates with some advice for their futures.
“Don’t ever give up,” said Robinson. “I truly believe that I didn’t get where I am today because I was the smartest or prettiest or most qualified, but because I never gave up.”
The 2011 Graduates of the Rosemary School plan on continuing their education by attending Pasadena City College and Chaffey Community College. Brittany D., a recent published poet in "Intensity," the 10th Anthology from WriteGirl, plans on continuing her education at the Rosemary School.
The Rosemary School is special education, non-public school which meets the academic needs of our foster youth who are receiving therapeutic services through our group home program as they work through their emotional issues and learning disabilities.
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WELLS FARGO, HATHAWAY-SYCAMORES AND ROSEMARY'S CHILDREN CREATE MEMORABLE EVENING AT THE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE |
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WellsFargo executives David DiCristofaro, Raul Vasquez and Autumn Way joined forces with two local nonprofit organizations on June 22, 2011, to bring together youth to experience the arts. Kids from Hathaway-Sycamores and Rosemary’s Children nonprofit organizations were invited to a private reception and viewing of Twist, a family musical featuring American Idol finalist Tamyra Gray, debuting at the Pasadena Playhouse.
DiCristofaro, a board member for the Pasadena Playhouse, worked with Vasquez, a board member for Hathaway-Sycamores, and Way, a board member for Rosemary’s Children, to bring more than 45 children to view the star-studded Twist before the general public opening. Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Tena Clark, who wrote the music and lyrics to the songs performed in the show,spoke to the youth before the play to provide insights on the creation of the musical and to answer questions.
Both nonprofit organizations serve youth in Los Angeles County by providing comprehensive services to more than 12,000 children and families annually.
Twist will play at The Pasadena Playhouse until July 17, 2011. The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue in Pasadena.
Hathaway-Sycamores, the largest provider of children’s mental health services in Los Angeles County, provides a comprehensive continuum of services to more than 8,000 children and families annually through a network of facilities stretching across the greater Los Angeles area including the San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, and the Antelope Valley. Services include: a residential treatment center for youth ages six through 18; foster care and adoption services; a nonpublic school; school-based and outpatient mental health services; wraparound and in-home counseling services; a transitional living program for teens; a family resource center; and a grief and loss center for children. The agency is licensed by the California Department of Social Services, certified by the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health, and accredited through The Joint Commission. To learn more about the organization go to www.hathaway-sycamores.org.
Rosemary Children’s Services is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping abused, abandoned and/or neglected children heal from the past and build the self esteem and skills needed to move towards bright, healthy, and happy futures. Since 1920, Rosemary Children’s Services has reached thousands of children and their families and provided compassionate and therapeutic support through the Residential Treatment Program, Foster Family and Adoption Agency, Transitional Housing, Non-Public School, Mental Health Services, Intensive Treatment Foster Care Services, and Therapeutic Behavioral Services.
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.3 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com and wachovia.com), and other distribution channels across North America and internationally. We want to help all of our customers succeed financially and create long-term economic growth and quality of life for everyone in our communities. In 2010, the Company invested a record $219 million in grants in 19,000 nonprofits, and team members contributed more than 1.3 million volunteer hours around the country. For more information, please visit: www.wellsfargo.com/about/csr.
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BROOKSIDE GOLF CLUB HOSTS ROSEMARY CHILDREN’S SERVICES’ 11th ANNUAL C.A.R.E. AWARDS |
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PASADENA, Calif. Overlooking the golf course at Brookside Golf Club, nearly 100 Rosemary Children’s Services’ (RCS) staff, Board Members, and Management Team gathered together for the 11th Annual C.A.R.E. Awards, the Agency’s annual peer-to-peer recognition awards ceremony, on June 1st 2011.
Rosemary Children’s Services’ Annual C.A.R.E. Awards Luncheon is an annual event in which RCS staff members nominate their peers in order to give recognition to outstanding employees who provide exemplary services to the children, families, and communities whom we serve. Awards are handed out for Collaboration, Adaptation, Respect, and Excellence (C.A.R.E.).The C.A.R.E. Award Luncheon recognizes employees who provide only the best, quality care and services possible.
Employees submit C.A.R.E. Awards nominations for deserving employees for the Rosemary Children’s Services’ management team to review. Hundreds of nominations are received, and only a few recipients are chosen in each category of Collaboration, Adaptation, Respect, and Excellence. Recipients are chosen from each Department including: Residential Treatment Program, The Rosemary School, Mental Health Department, Transitional Housing Program, and Foster Care / Adoptions Program.
“This is such a great event,” commented Ralph Ramirez, Board President for Rosemary Children’s Services. “The C.A.R.E. Awards is a great way for the employees to be recognized and to be rewarded by their own peers for a job well done.”
2011 Recipients of Collaboration Awards included: Carmen Arroyo, Dena Carr, Angelina Garcia, Vivian Huang, and Arease Wheeler.
2011 Recipients of Adaptable Awards included: Nanci Alvarado, Jessie Calvillo, Jennifer Heidari, Janet Orozco, Rose Swim, and Kristin Toya.
2011 Recipients of Respectful Awards included: Gina Baker, Jennifer Hoit, Katrina Martinez, Rose Romo, and Esther Walsh.
2011 Recipients of Excellence Awards included: Bridgette Baca, Donna Bland, Nicole Rodriguez, and Colleen Turkal.
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MOMS CLUB OF PASADENA GETS AN EARLY START ON BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR ROSEMARY CHILDREN’S SERVICES |
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PASADENA, Calif.Getting a head-start on back-to-school shopping, the MOMS Club of Pasadena collected nearly 100 backpacks and school supplies for the foster children and youth of Rosemary Children’s Services. Under the direction of Christina Kosla, Assistant Vice President of MOMS Club of Pasadena, moms and their children packed large and small backpacks with assorted school supplies at their May meeting.
“We are very grateful to the MOMS Club of Pasadena for providing these great school supplies for our foster children and youth,” said Jennifer Radics, Director of Development for Rosemary Children’s Services. “These supplies will come in handy for the upcoming school year, as well as for the children attending summer school.”
The MOMS Club of Pasadena, California is a local chapter of the International MOMS Club. This Club is a support group for all full or part-time at-home mothers. They believe that staying home to raise our children is a fulfilling full-time job. For more information about the MOMS Club of Pasadena visit www.momsclubpasadena.com.
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AFRICAN DRUMMERS AND LINEAGE DANCE COMPANY PROVIDE SPECIAL PERFORMANCE AT ROSEMARY CHILDREN’S SERVICES’ COTTAGE |
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PASADENA, Calif.The halls of the Cottage, Rosemary Children’s Services’ group home for 19 teenage foster girls, were filled with the sounds of the West African dundun drums and bongos on May 18, 2011, as Shawn Kuklinski performed in the Cottage living room for the teenage foster girls of Rosemary Children’s Services. The teen girls were encouraged to drum along with Shawn and his special guest Vic.
Also performing for the girls of the Cottage, were dancers from the Lineage Dance Company, who performed a modern dance piece, dancing along to the drumming sounds that the girls provided and utilizing dining room chairs from the Cottage! The teen girls were also encouraged to learn the performance piece and were invited to dance along with the Lineage Dance Company dancers.
“We are thrilled to have the girls of the Cottage experience sounds from around world, right here in their own living room,” said Jennifer Radics, Development Director for Rosemary Children’s Services. “Shawn and the Lineage Dance Company have unleashed a lot of hidden talent in our girls today. We have learned we have a lot of talented and musicians and dancers here at the Cottage!”
The drum and dance performance was arranged by the Cottage Guild, a group of volunteers who have "adopted" the Cottage, a group home of "at-risk“ foster, teen girls, owned and operated by Rosemary Children’s Services. All money raised by the Cottage Guild is used to pay for much needed activities and supplies for the foster girls of the "Cottage.”
For more information regarding the Cottage Guild or Rosemary Children’s Services, contact Jennifer Radics, Development Director at (626) 844-3033 ext. 211 or visit www.rosemarychildren.org.
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KIWANIS CLUB OF PASADENA AWARDS $13,000 TO 31 PASADENA STUDENTS |
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PASADENA, Calif.The Kiwanis Club of Pasadena held its yearly Student Awards Luncheon at the Pasadena Hilton on June 2. PUSD students from Middle School, High School and Pasadena City College who had been nominated by school Counselors were recognized for Citizenship, Scholarship, Sportsmanship, Athletic Ability, and Community Service.
One hundred and thirty one friends, family and dignitaries joined in congratulating the students for their achievements. Pasadena Kiwanis has been recognizing student achievement for decades. What began as awards of neckerchiefs now consists of checks for $250.00 or $500.00. The $13,000 distributed this year came from the Pasadena Kiwanis Foundation and six award funds established by individual Kiwanians.
Awards Host Yvette McDowell shared the head table with Mayor Bill Bogaard, Police Chief Phillip Sanchez, Police Lt. Phlunte Riddle and Pasadena School Board members Ed Honowitz, Elizabeth Pomeroy, Kimberly Kenne and Renatta Cooper.
The Kwanis Club raises funds through member fines (birthday, wedding anniversaries, Kiwanis anniversaries), fund-raising events, donations and bequests to the Pasadena Kiwanis Foundation. A major fund-raiser this year to support the Club’s Student Awards program will be the 91st Birthday Barbeque and Celebration at La Salle High School on June 11, 2011. Tickets to the event - which includes a repeat performance of last year’s Great Motown Band, and presentations by Kiwanis President Chris Williams and Kiwanis Club Vice-President George Falardeau, Senior VP, Art Center College of Design - are $40 per adult/$30 per student and are available by contacting Craig Wallace, Treasurer, at 626-449-3466, ext 241. |
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