Announcing honorees and honorary benefit committee
Friends In Deed is throwing a party November 5 at historic Castle Green to celebrate 120 years of bringing help and hope to vulnerable and at-risk residents of Pasadena and the greater San Gabriel Valley. The theme, “That’s What Friends are For,” describes the mission and spirit of this respected organization founded in 1894, at about the same time as the Rose Parade.
To exemplify its role of caring put into action, Friends In Deed will honor the Rev. Inman Moore for his decades of loyal support and civil rights leadership, and the Rev. George Regas for his significant peace and justice work at home and nationally.
Other honorees include the Pasadena Altadena Soroptomist Club, an international women’s civic club. It will be honored for its partnership with Friends In Deed since the inception of The Women’s Room, a daytime center for women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The corporate honoree is Whole Foods Arroyo, esteemed for its social conscience and commitment to the local community.
Lena Kennedy, who presents the annual Southern California Women’s Health Conference as a service to the community, has been selected to chair the honorary benefit committee composed of other civic leaders. They are the Rev. Ed Bacon and Hope Hendricks-Bacon of All Saints Pasadena, Mayor Bill and Claire Bogaard, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Patt Diroll of the Pasadena Star-News, Rabbi Joshua Grater of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, Assembly Member Chris Holden, and Monica Hubbard, a community activist.
Others are Pasadena Council Member John J. Kennedy; Edna Lekovic, director of the Muslim Affairs Council; Ron Nelson, president of the Pasadena Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints; Father Gerard O’Brien of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church; Jan Sanders, director of Pasadena Libraries; Deborah Sanchez, Realtor; Tarek Shawky, board member of New Horizon School, and James Watterson, community activist and noted event planner.
Friends known for civic activism will present a lively revue, “A Walk Through History” at the 120th celebration, which also will offer food, music and auctions. Fritz Coleman, stand-up comic and KNBC weatherman, will host the event, Nov. 5, 6-9 p.m., at Castle Green, 99 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. Tickets are $120. Valet parking will be available. Further information is on the website: FriendsInDeedpas.org or by calling 626-797-2402 Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
