Children’s Burn Foundation (CBF) held its 29th Annual Giving New Hope Benefit at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 5.
Hosted by the CBF Council and Dinner Chairs, Aida Madi, and the Melamed family, the event drew over 500 guests and raised nearly $1.5 million for programs for young burn survivors.
Beverly Hills’ beloved fire chief, Gregory W. Barton, played a vital role in fire prevention education and was the honoree.
CBF Board Chair Kathy Toppino noted that the Kiwanis Club had recognized Barton, the Beverly Hills Fire Department, and the Beverly Hills Masonic Lodge.
In 2021, he received the Fred C. Cunningham Award for Distinguished Service from the Beverly Hills City Council.
He is an active member of the Children’s Burn Foundation Board, serving on the Governance and Executive Committees and chair of the Prevention and Education Committee. Chief Barton also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Maple Counseling Center, Beverly Hills 9/11 Memorial Committee and is President-elect of the Rotary Club.
Beverly Hills City Manager Nancy Huntcoffey praised him as “an exceptional fire chief cherished by our community for his leadership, benevolence, and dedication to aiding others.”
A highlight of the evening was a moving testimonial by Walter Gomez, a young survivor who was only 4 years old when he was severely burned in a freeway car crash. Walter spoke about how his growing up was not easy. Constant staring made life difficult and impacted his self-esteem. The support of the CBF changed his life, giving him confidence, he said.
“I have now learned to love and embrace my scars, and I am proud of the person I see today when I look in the mirror. I think of the Children’s Burn Foundation as a lighthouse – a beacon of hope that has guided me through life. The firefighters who rescued me from that burning car gave me a second chance at life. The Children’s Burn Foundation taught me how to live it.”
Fritz Coleman, former NBC4 weathercaster and CBF board member, emceed the doings, which included the requisite live auction.
The Children’s Burn Foundation’s highly acclaimed prevention programs have taught more than two million children, parents, expectant parents, and caregivers how to prevent burns. CBF’s educational outreach impacts more than 160,000 children and families every year.
COMING UP:
APRIL 19: The Social Service Auxiliary Spiritus Award Luncheon will honor Roseann Anderson of Pasadena. The California Club, Los Angeles. kathrynkenney@yahoo.com.
APRIL 20: LA Opera presents “My Life in Notes” featuring Patti Lupone. The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Music Center. 7:30 p.m. LAOpera@LAOera.org.
APRIL 20: The Pasadena Symphony presents Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Ambassadors Auditorium, Pasadena.626-793-7172.
APRIL 20: Pasadena’s Mayfield Junior School hosts its annual benefit, “Monaco Nights.’’
APRIL 21: La Jolla Concours d’Elegance 2024. Ellen Browning Scripps State Park, La Jolla. lajollaconcours.com.
APRIL 27: “Wild About Villa,” the annual fundraising gala to benefit Villa Esperanza
Services, honoring Richard Mooney of Kensington Caterers with the 25th Guardian Angel Award. The Langham Huntington Hotel Pasadena. Gala.VillaES.org.
APRIL 28: Fritz Coleman returns to solo comedy with “Unassisted Residency.” El Portal Theatre, North Hollywood, 3 p.m.
APRIL 28: “CTG: The Gala 2024” will honor choreographer Sir Matthew Bourne as its inaugural artistic honoree. Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga will be the headlining The Mark Taper Forum and The Music Center. centertheatregroup.org.
MAY 2: USC Trojan Associates hosts Morgan Ovens, expert organizer, discussing “Life and Home Decluttering”. Celestino Restaurant, Pasadena. 6 p.m. sisarah@verizon.net.
MAY 7: The College Women’s Club of Pasadena Scholarship Luncheon. The Blinn House, Pasadena. cwcpasadena.org.
MAY 19: Cancer Community San Gabriel Valley presents “ Dapper Derby Soiree,” the 34th Angel Gala, honoring Karen and Tom Capehart, Oak Tree Racing Association and Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. Santa Anita Park, Arcadia. 626-796-1083 or cancersupportsgv.org.
MAY 26: Fritz Coleman’s solo comedy, “Unassisted Residency.” El Portal Theatre, North Hollywood. 3 p.m.
MAY 28: The Pasadena Playhouse presents “Jelly’s Last Jam.” Performances continue through June 23. pasadenaplayhouse.org. JUNE 5: Center Theatre Group presents the musical, “A Strange Loop.” Performances continue through June 30. The Ahmanson Theatre. centertheatregroup.org.
JULY 27: Barbie The Movie: In Concert featuring an all-women orchestra. Hollywood Bowl. 8 p.m.
JULY 30: Center Theatre Group presents the new comedy “Clue.” Performances continue through Aug. 25. The Ahmanson Theatre. centertheatregroup.org.
Patt Diroll writes a bi-weekly society column for the Pasadena Star-News. She can be reached at pattdiroll@gmail.com. Diana Palmer contributed to this column.
