Sycamores President and CEO Debra Manners and former California State Senator Anthony Portantino at Sycamores Celebrating Children Gala at the Jonathan Club. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Event Co-Chairs Laura Baker and Christina Bang at Sycamores Celebrating Children Gala at the Jonathan Club. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Honoree Angela Padilla and United States Senator Alex Padilla at Sycamores Celebrating Children Gala at the Jonathan Club. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Michael Galper, Patricia Morales, Tom Otero, and Gayle Penrod at Sycamores Celebrating Children Gala at the Jonathan Club. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Melissa Pittman and Shannon Boalt at Sycamores Celebrating Children Gala at the Jonathan Club. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Maya Robinson, Debi Patel-Lee, and Flaviana Robinson at Sycamores Celebrating Children Gala at the Jonathan Club. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Ezra Evangelista and Fernando Almodovar at Sycamores Celebrating Children Gala at the Jonathan Club. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Michelle Young-Sambajon, Wendy Wang, and Gail DiRaimondo at Sycamores Celebrating Children Gala at the Jonathan Club. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Heidi and Walter Calmette at Sycamores Celebrating Children Gala at the Jonathan Club. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Jaden Hauptman, Sharon Hauptman, and Myrna Almodovar at Sycamores Celebrating Children Gala at the Jonathan Club. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
September Gray and Evelyn Boone at Sycamores Celebrating Children Gala at the Jonathan Club. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Mona Patel, Micah Orliss, and Karen Rogers at Sycamores Celebrating Children Gala at the Jonathan Club. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Kyle Kveton and Karen Palmersheim at Sycamores Celebrating Children Gala at the Jonathan Club. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Sandi Mejia and Elva Sandoval at Sycamores Celebrating Children Gala at the Jonathan Club. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Ashley Housman, Clammy Closson, and Melissa Pittson at Sycamores Celebrating Children Gala at the Jonathan Club. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Sycamores President and CEO Debra Manners, Rick Nordin, Event Co-Chairs Laura Baker and Christina Bang at Sycamores Celebrating Children Gala at the Jonathan Club. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Katherine Heizen, Scott Schwettmann, Michael Adams, and Donna Adams at Sycamores Celebrating Children Gala at the Jonathan Club. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Joanna and Carlos Domingo at Sycamores Celebrating Children Gala at the Jonathan Club. [Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
The Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles was the setting for an unforgettable evening as Sycamores hosted its annual Celebrating Children Gala on Saturday, March 8th. The event brought together supporters to raise funds for Sycamores’ crucial behavioral health programs serving Riverside and Los Angeles Counties, with a special focus on those impacted by recent wildfires.
Guests were treated to a sumptuous three-course dinner prepared by the Jonathan Club’s chefs. The evening was filled with live music, exciting auctions, and moving testimonials from individuals whose lives have been transformed through Sycamores’ services.
The highlight of the gala was the presentation of the Sycamores Celebrating Children Award to two exceptional leaders. Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, was recognized for her tireless advocacy for the Fifth District. With a career spanning over 35 years, she has championed public safety initiatives, mental health services, and improved quality of life for foster children, seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. Angela Padilla, President of FundaMental Change, was honored for her passionate mental health advocacy. Drawing from personal experience with her mother’s bipolar and schizoaffective disorders, Padilla has become a powerful voice for mental health awareness in schools, community organizations, and public forums.
Debbie Manners, President and CEO of Sycamores, emphasized the gala’s significance in the wake of recent wildfires, including the devastating Eaton Fire. The gala was co-chaired by Laura Baker and Christina Bang, both residents of La Cañada Flintridge and dedicated Sycamores supporters. Baker, the Southern California/Nevada Health Business Leader at Mercer and a Sycamores Board member, joined forces with Bang, President of Bang Licensing Group, to lead this impactful event.
The Celebrating Children Gala successfully raised funds to support Sycamores’ child welfare and behavioral health programs. These vital services impact over 25,000 vulnerable children, youth, and families annually throughout Southern California, providing crucial support to those in need.
The event not only celebrated the achievements of its honorees but also reinforced the community’s commitment to supporting mental health services and recovery efforts in the aftermath of recent natural disasters.
For more information on Sycamores’ programs and services visit www.sycamores.org.
