Amid some elected officials and celebrities, more than 200 guests enjoyed another successful Derby Day to benefit The Campbell Center on Saturday, May 6 at Pickwick Gardens and Banquet Center in Burbank. Glendale Councilwoman and immediate past mayor Paula Devine was there; newly-elected member of the Glendale Unified School District board Shant Sahakian was there; the creator of the iconic “Love Boat” Jeraldine Saunders was there … and so was the legendary artist Bill Withers who addressed the crowd and had everyone hanging on his every word. To complete the roster, CBS2 Weatherman Garth Kemp led the live auction, making the auction items come alive with his wit, charm and talent to bring out the most from bidders.

“We are so grateful to everyone who came out to support our event and get engaged with the day’s various activities,” said Haig Youredjian, former member of The Campbell Center foundation board and event co-chair. “From our emcee Vincent Espinoza, who did a superb job and kept the guests entertained, to the wise words of Mr. Withers and the talent of Garth Kemp, the day had something for everyone.”

TCC clients were very much part of the event –greeting arriving guests, participating in the raffle and being on stage during the Fund-A-Client portion of the program. Again this year, guests were treated to a lavish buffet lunch, a fun and playful hat and derby contest, the live streaming of the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs, a silent auction of over 100 fabulous items, and a live auction that included VIP tickets to the premieres and glitzy after-parties of the upcoming “Despicable Me 3” and “The House” films; a luxury suite at a Dodgers game; an exquisite painting of the character Snoopy by artist Tom Everhart, the only artist authorized by the Charles Schulz estate to paint the likeness of the cartoonist’s characters to name just a few of the items that were up for bid.

Derby Day raised much-needed funds to support The Campbell Center’s diverse programs and services thanks to guests and sponsors that this year included Western Drug, Ratpac Dimmers, Jerry and Phyllis Campbell, Trebek Family Foundation, Disney, LA Medical, North Hollywood Church of Religious Science, Express Professional Employment, Glendale Kiwanis, Oxnard Collision Center, Future Auto Sales and Supervisor Kathryn Barger. The 2017 event raised over $103,000 and counting.

The Campbell Center serves over 130 clients on a daily basis.