Foothill Family Honors Community Heroes at The Enchanted Gardens Gala

On a beautiful spring evening last week nearly 250 guests gathered under COVID protocol guidelines on the lawn of the Annandale Golf Club for The Enchanted Garden, a gala to benefit Foothill Family.

The June 5 gala was among the very first in-person fundraising events held in Pasadena for over a year.

Community Heroes were recognized for their leadership and herculean efforts in keeping our community safe, informed, and connected during the pandemic, in six categories: Dr. Sid Kumar, MD, Kaiser Permanente, Health; Blanca E. Rubio, California State Assembly, Public Service; Luis Patiño, Univision, Media Coverage; Teri Muse, Waste Management, Community Service; Connie Aguilar, Options for Learning, Education; Wendy Mour, Foothill Family, Mental Health;

In a heart-warming moment, Foothill Family CEO, Steve Allen asked everyone who has been serving our community on the front lines during the pandemic to stand to be thanked and celebrated. Much of the audience stood to thunderous applause.

The sold-out gala raised a record amount of more than $350,000 to support Foothill Family’s programs.

The evening’s Emcee John Cervenka welcomed guests before turning the stage over to the evening’s Gala Chairs, Becky Chuen and Wende Lee, of the Friends of Foothill Family.

“Despite the economic and social challenges from the pandemic, we are proud and extremely grateful for the record-breaking number of dedicated patron sponsors and local businesses whose incredible generosity made this event possible,” Chuen said, after welcoming guests.

Added Lee, “Here we are sitting amongst our friends whom we haven’t seen in 15 months, ready to celebrate and make a difference for Foothill Family.”

CEO Allen thanked guests.

“This year, we celebrate the 95th Anniversary of serving our community. So many families have been hit very hard by the pandemic and the need for our mental health services for children and families right here in our community is critical,” he said. “Thank you for your generosity this evening and every day to support our vision  –  to empower families to achieve brighter futures in which individuals and families thrive, communities are strengthened, and generations are enriched.”

Guests were shown how donations are impacting clients through videos of families whose lives were transformed through Foothill Family’s important services. Calliope entered foster care at 15. Through the support of her foster family and Foothill Family, she feels loved and she has a second chance for an empowered future. Working through extremely challenging times and persevering to reunite with their children, with the support of Foothill Family, the Gardeas shared their story of being reunited as a family.

The evening also featured both silent and live auctions along with an after-party featuring live music by Sister City and showcasing a champagne bar, whiskey tasting and decadent chocolate bites.

The event’s title sponsorship was generously provided by Cathay Bank Foundation and The Callahan Family. Additional major support was provided by Univision, Vanessa Wolf Alexander and Matthew Alexander, Willy and Christine Escobar, Kaiser Permanente, Priscilla Hunt – Hun Enterprises, Mark and Laura Repstad, and The Walt Disney Company.

Following COVID protocols, attendee capacity was limited and everyone was required to be fully vaccinated or provide proof of a negative COVID test.

For more about Foothill Family, click here.