Feature

Sycamores hosting gala, celebrating 120 years

By Annika Tomlin Pasadena Weekly Staff Writer

New businesses sprout every day, but organizations such as Sycamores show what it means to exist over a century.

The 120-year-old Sycamores will host its 12th annual Celebrating Children Spring Gala from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at Vibiana in historic Downtown Los Angeles.

“Celebrating Children’s Spring Gala is an annual gala fundraiser put on by Sycamores where we honor individuals or corporations who have made a difference for Sycamores and our partners who support our mission,” said Shannon Boalt, senior director of development for Sycamores.

“The Celebrating Children Award is given to honorees who exemplify to ideals and values of integrity, leadership and commitment to improve the lives of children, young adults and families.”

This year’s award will go to Sen. Anthony J. Portantino (25th Senate District) and the Capital Group, “an organization that has partnered up with us and provided grants and support and one of their executives is also on our board of directors,” Boalt said.

Funds raised from the event will help Sycamores address the mental health needs of low-income children, young adults and families. It also aids foster children and those experiencing homelessness, the latter of which has escalated dramatically over the last two years.

“We haven’t had an in-person gala since 2019, so we are thrilled to be gathering at the Vibiana,” Boalt said. “After having the 2020 gala be postponed because it was supposed to take place after everything was shut down in March 2020, that led to the virtual gala for 2021.

“Usually there are about 350 to 360 people who join us for this event.”

In addition to reviving the event, it’s Sycamores’ 120th anniversary.

“There is going to be a short video on our history that will include photos and newspaper articles and documentation from the beginning of the organization back 120 years ago all the way up to now,” Boalt said.

Guests can sip cocktails in Vibiana’s Garden Courtyard before dinner in the Main Hall. After the meal, Davis Gaines, Broadway actor and LA’s longest-running “Phantom of the Opera” will perform.

The Celebrating Children Spring Gala committee is co-chaired by Pasadena residents Rita Henderson and Jan Emamian. Formerly the community affairs manager for Nestlé USA, Henderson is a longtime Sycamores donor and supporter.

“Rita has been involved for a number of years and has also been the co-chair of the gala in the past, too,” Boalt said.

Emamian leads the Pasadena-based The Emamian Team Realtors and serves on the Sycamores Board of Directors.

“Jan has been involved for several years,” Boalt said. “Annually she does a Christmas celebration for the boys at our short-term residential facility.

“Most are in foster care system and, at the holidays, Jan raises money through friends and associates in order to buy the boys presents and have a Christmas party for them. This past year, she bought a Christmas tree and all sorts of wonderful things to help brighten the holidays for them.”

Individual tickets for the event are available through the Sycamores’ website. They must be purchased before Wednesday, March 16. To be included in the program, sponsors need to register before Friday, Feb. 25.

While Los Angeles County continues to update its COVID-19 restrictions, Sycamores is adhering to the current standards in place for in-person gatherings.

“LA city rule is that any indoor event a guest has to have proof of vaccination or,

Sycamores President and CEO Debra Manners, center, and Celebrating Children Gala Co-Chair Rita Henderson, second from left, with guests at the 2019 Celebrating Children Spring Gala.

A cocktail reception will be held in Vibiana’s Garden Courtyard followed by dinner in the Main Hall.

if they are not vaccinated, they have to show a negative PCR test within 72 hours of the event,” Boalt said.

“We are asking guests that if you are coming to the event and buying tickets on our website, they have the availability to upload a copy of a vaccination card. We are hoping to gather all of that information in advance, so it is not needed to be done during registration at the gala.”

For those who are not ready to return to in-person events but would still like to participate, there will be a virtual silent auction.

“There will be a silent auction that will open on our website the week of the event,” Boalt said. “Individuals who may not be interested in attending the event still have the opportunity to go online for the silent auction and bid.”