The members of Las Candelas recently held the final meeting of its 2024-25 term at Oakmont Country Club. After the business of the day was conducted, the 2025-26 slate of officers and chairwomen were installed by Past President Debbie Hinckley. 

After two years of serving as president of the group, Karen Swan passed the gavel to Glendale resident JC Byer. JC will lead Las Candelas with the help of her incoming officers and chairmen. Incoming officers are 1^st Vice-President Lynne Naeve; 2^nd Vice-President Nancy Stone; 3^rd Vice President Margaret Cline;  4^th Vice-President Cathy Keen; 5^th Vice-President Debbie Hinckley; and 6^th Vice-President Carol Ann Burton. Serving as business treasurer will be Ellyn Semler; Philanthropy Treasurer Patti Baker; Corresponding and Recording Secretary Rosina Maize; and Parliamentarian Debbie Hinckley. Nancy Stone will repeat as the organization’s endowment chair. 

Las Candelas recently celebrated its 72^nd anniversary as a non-profit organization composed of women whose purpose is to give volunteer service and financial assistance to help improve the lives of children in vulnerable situations and to support awareness of their mental health needs. The club’s philanthropies are Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services in Glendale, Ascencia, Hillsides Youth Moving On (for transitional age youth), and YWCA Glendale and Pasadena. Some of the projects and services the women of Las Candelas provide during the year include funding for art therapy for the children living at Ascencia and guest chef dinners for Ascencia clients; dinners, support and educational programs for the transitional age youth attending career planning classes at YMO; holiday gift wrapping for Didi Hirsch young clients, funding for its Youth Summit and for its Our Third Place Program (transitional age youth). Las Candelas also provides funding for YWCA Glendale and Pasadena’s Camp Rosie and their domestic violence program. Representatives from each of the facilities speak at the monthly Las Candelas meetings throughout the year to give updates on their programs. 

After the summer break, the group will kick off its new year of service with a patio BBQ dinner &  social at Oakmont Country Club on Sept. 13. Meetings will resume Sept. 25.  

To learn more about Las Candelas, visit the website at www.lascandelas.org or check out the Las Candelas Facebook page.