Unite for a Cause Kickoff Exceeds Goals

Unite for a Cause’s benefit event for Leadership Pasadena at the Western Justice Center on November 1 exceeded all goals for its inaugural event.

Founded by Carla Buigues and Josh Driskell together with Vanessa Terzian and Anthony Guthmiller, Unite for a Cause raised $17,000 for Leadership Pasadena and their Community Leadership Course for Veterans by bringing together 115 local business leaders for an evening of friendship, business networking with exceptional food and refreshments all of which was donated by True Food Kitchen, The Rustic Gourmet, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Deep Eddy Vodka, Pacific Wines and Gus’s BBQ.

Guests were entertained by live music from singer Nina Lares and her band.

An Army veteran from the Viet Nam War and a Navy veteran recently returned from Afghanistan both spoke about the difficult challenges of returning to a civilian life after years in the military service, the importance of getting engaged in their new community and how Leadership Pasadena’s course for veterans will be life changing for our returning heroes.

“We are thrilled by the response of our business community to this evening of giving back,” said Unite for a Cause co-founder Carla Buigues. “Our immense thanks to our generous event sponsors Kathleen O’Sullivan of K-SHIFT, Vanessa Terzian of Terzian Law Partners,Carla Buigues of the John Aaroe Group, Josh Driskell of Primuth & Driskell LLP, Daniel Arias of the Madison Lending Group,John Cruz of Cruz Control Termite, Patty Prange of Tender Hearts Homecare, Jessica McConnell of First Group West, Rob Stone and Andrea Vining of Morgan Stanley, Sergio Bautista of CHAPCARE, Sam Lamb of Allstate Insurance, Kevin Wong CPA, Rob Stone and Andrea Vining of Morgan Stanley, Sergio Bautista of CHAPCARE, Rodney Bolton of HRBIZ, Matt Kamin of The Exchange, Alex Bruno of the Alex Bruno Group Inc., dpb Photography, PedalsLA and DJ Saint Slay (Gilbert Ruiz-Ortega)

“Unite for a Cause” is a new professional networking organization dedicated to hosting exciting, fun, inspirational events to bring great people together to enjoy good food, drinks and entertainment while raising money for important non-profit organizations.