Celebrating Children benefit Sept. 20 in La Canada Flintridge

A picturesque La Cañada Flintridge residence will serve as an inviting summer backdrop for Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services’ 2012 Celebrating Children Awards Reception on Sept. 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The annual fund-raising event honors an individual or family—along with a business—that exemplifies the values of integrity, leadership and commitment to the well-being of children, adults, families, and communities. For more than 100 years, these values have served as the foundation for the compassion and care that each and every child receives at Hathaway-Sycamores. This year's honorees are the Frank Family, longtime Pasadena residents and Llamas Plastics, Inc.

The evening event—which includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction—will be emceed by MUSE/IQUE Artistic Director and Conductor Rachael Worby. The night’s Celebrating Children Individual Award will be presented to the Frank family. Known for their achievements in the culinary world, the Franks founded Lawry’s Foods, Inc., and operate Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc., which today includes the popular dining establishments Five Crowns, Lawry’s Carvery, Lawry’s The Prime Rib, and Tam O’Shanter.

The Frank family’s commitment to fine dining is equaled by their commitment to the well-being of children. Hathaway-Sycamores has been among the fortunate recipients of the Frank’s compassionate commitment, starting in the 1980’s, when matriarch Mary Alice Frank joined the agency’s Board of Directors and went on to chair the Board. The Hathaway-Sycamores’ torch was then passed to Mary Alice’s son, Richard Frank, who is president and chief executive officer of Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc. Richard Frank joined Hathaway-Sycamores’ Board in 1990, served as Chair from 1999 to 2001, and was named an Emeritus Board Member in 2002. Beyond their service on Hathaway-Sycamores’ Board, the Frank family has been longtime supporters of several agency fundraisers, including the Shot-at-a-Million Golf Classic and Dinners From the Heart.

The Celebrating Children Business Award will be presented to Llamas Plastics, Inc. Founded in 1978 by Oswaldo “Ozzie” Llamas, Llamas Plastics manufactures windshields, canopies, and other critical components for commercial as well as military aircraft. In addition to its leadership role in the aerospace industry, Llamas Plastics also has forged a leadership role in relation to helping children in need. For more than 20 years, in fact, Llamas Plastics has been playing Santa for the youngsters cared for by Hathaway-Sycamores. In addition to donating hundreds of holiday gifts, Llamas Plastics has actively participated in Hathaway-Sycamores’ Vocational Internship Program (VIP), through which teens who are emancipating from the foster-care system receive support services, including job training.

Thus far, Llamas Plastics has employed six VIP participants. In fact, among those speaking at the upcoming Celebrating Children Awards Reception will be Selenia Lagos. Lagos—who lives in Alta Dena—is a VIP participant who joined Llamas Plastics in March of this year as an office assistant.

Commenting on the Celebrating Children Award recipients, Hathaway-Sycamores’ President and CEO William Martone says, “Without the longstanding support of individuals like the Frank family and businesses such as Llamas Plastics, our organization would not be able to help nearly as many children and families as we do. Both are absolutely deserving of this award, and Hathaway-Sycamores is extremely appreciative of all that they have done.”

This year’s Celebrating Children Awards Reception is co-chaired by La Cañada residents Lisa Freer, Jennifer Jewell, and Jennifer Suh. The event’s Planning Committee includes: Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich; Los Angeles County Chief Deputy Kathryn Barger-Leibrich; and La Cañada Flintridge Mayor Stephen Del Guercio. Event sponsorships—ranging from $350 to $5,000—are available, as are tickets to the event for $100 per person, which includes a cocktail andhors-d'oeuvres reception catered by Lawry's Restaurants. To purchase tickets or sponsorships, contact Andi Sica at (626) 395-7100 ext. 2516 or e-mail andreasica@hathaway-sycamores.org.