First published in the Feb. 9 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
La Cañada Presbyterian Church Parent Education will hold its annual gala, themed “Making Lemons into Lemonade: Living Life with Zest,” on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Chevy Chase Country Club in Glendale.
The event, which will feature a fun-filled night of entertainment, food, and merriment, will be emceed by Rev. Chuck Osburn, author Chris Erskine and auctioneer John Cervenka. Meanwhile, 2021 GMA Dove Award winner Evan Craft will also be attending from Nashville to perform his billboard hit “Be Alright.”
The fundraiser will honor 2023 Shining Star Sloan Walsh, who has served families for 20 years as a parent education instructor.
“Sloan Walsh is an extraordinary woman with a beautiful soul,” said former Parent Ed Board Chair Debra Barsom. “Over the last 20 years, her wisdom and guidance has positively impacted hundreds of families through the Parent Education program, including mine. Sloan has a special talent for teaching. Her warmth and authenticity welcome parents into her classroom, and encourages deeper participation in class discussions. She’s a skilled communicator who provides really valuable practical advice for parents, and the genuine support so many need. She’s a loyal friend with a heart of gold. She is also a loving wife and mother who so clearly adores her family.
“This woman is a strong Christian who, by example, inspires people to be better and to do better. I’m blessed to know her, and I know that others feel the same way. Simply put, Sloan is a gift, and she is more than deserving of this year’s Shining Star award.”
At the event, 10% of all net proceeds will be donated to Young Life Capernaum, an organization supporting families of children with special needs in our community.
Tickets are $125 and can be purchased online by Feb. 15 at https://bit.ly/PARENTEDGALA23.
The gala will include a dinner, wine and open bar, live entertainment and a live auction. Parent Ed will have an online silent auction Feb. 14-28; visit https://bit.ly/PARENTEDAUCTION23. Auction donations are still being accepted; contact the auction committee at lcpc.pe.auction@gmail.com.
The event is supported by:
• Main Squeeze Sponsors: Brad and Ashley Barrett, John and Melissa Schiller, Daniel and Sarah Vargas;
• Big Squeeze Sponsors: Gordon and Dona Crawford, Peter and Carrie Kingston, Doug and Natasha Wood;
• Fresh Squeeze Sponsors: Eva Vargas;
• Zest Friends Sponsors: Bob and Cathie Bautista, Vincent and Lauren Gallidoro, Brandon and Vanessa Ho, Cindy Olah, Mark and Monica Skeehan, Colin and Mikki Weightman, and Scott and Karen Young.
• Event underwriters include Michael and Debra Barsom, Anna Hasbun, Debbie and Andy Gilmour, Ted and Betsy Merchant, the Kim Family, the Leaw Family and the Choi Family.
For 44 years, LCPC’s Parent Education Program has maintained its legacy of reputable staff and quality education. Currently, the program offers 16 semester daytime classes and 10 express classes for parents and grandparents of children birth to college.
Prior to COVID, more than 600 parents and children from 22 cities came on campus every week for parent education. Class listings and online registration are available at lacanadapc.org/parented.
