Las Candelas members celebrated the holidays with a formal dinner for the group and their guests at a private club in Pasadena on Sunday, Dec. 11. After a one-hour reception, a seasonal three-course dinner consisting of butternut squash soup, tenderloin of beef and filet of salmon followed by sticky toffee pudding was enjoyed by over 50 attendees.

President Ellyn Semler thanked the ladies for the many philanthropic projects they had completed during 2016, including providing monthly educational programs for residential students at Hathaway-Sycamores in Altadena and Hillsides in Pasadena and, most recently, the wrapping of hundreds of Christmas presents for the young clients of Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services in Glendale. Las Candelas, whose mission is “To give volunteer service and financial assistance to help improve the lives of children and youth in vulnerable situations and to support awareness of their mental health needs,” was organized in 1953 and incorporated in 1955.

The Las Candelas Biennial Fundraiser, a luncheon/fashion show that raises the funds for Las Candelas philanthropic programs and projects, will take place on Monday, March 6 at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel. The event, titled “Love is a Many Splendored Thing,” will host a reception and boutique at 10 a.m., followed by the luncheon and fashion show at 11:45 a.m. featuring elegant fashions by designer Lourdes Chavez. Opportunity and special drawing prizes include a $3,000 South Coast Plaza Shopping Extravaganza and a three-night getaway at the Hard Rock Hotel in Palm Springs. Chairing the event this year are members JC Byer and Pattie McCormick, and they are expecting over 600 guests to attend.

For more information on “Love is a Many Splendored Thing,” contact Press Chairman Cathy Keen at (818) 240-2442.