HomeCity NewsLa Providencia Guild Presents Fashion Show

La Providencia Guild Presents Fashion Show

First published in the Aug. 6 print issue of the Burbank Leader.

It was pearls-o-plenty as the women of the La Providencia Guild of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles gathered at the Arbat Banquet Hall for their annual summer meeting, membership drive and thrift shop fashion show this past Sunday.
Staged under the theme, “Put On Your Pearls, Girls,” this annual event showcases some of the women’s clothing, jewelry and fashion accessories available at the guild’s Burbank Boulevard thrift shop.
Welcomed by guild President Jill Kessler, members and guests of the organization were treated to a show that featured guild mothers, daughters, grandmothers and granddaughters serving as the day’s models.
Among those who donned the fashions and took to the catwalk were Rachel and Jeanne Margolin, Makala and Sandra Kelley, Lauren Zepeda and Edna Minogue, Brittany Rahimi and Joan Chandler, Brittany Corfee, Stephanie Beaudry and Nancy Johnson, Audrey, Silah and Veronica Chavoor, Nora Montoya, Dianna Irell and Theresa Garcia.
Coordinated by Sue Ann Gordon, who chaired the event, the show was staged with the assistance of Glenda Jones, Irene Metzger and Rosemarie Witten.
Along with clothing, shoes, fashion accessories and jewelry, the La Providencia Guild’s thrift shop also offers glassware, artwork, memorabilia, collectibles, furnishings and all sorts of eclectic treasures of which proceeds from every sale go to support the work of the renowned pediatric hospital.

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Since the guild’s formation in 1947, the operation of a thrift shop has been a crucial element in its fundraising efforts.
The genesis of establishing and operating a thrift shop staffed by volunteer guild members can be traced back to the late 1940s, when members would stage yard sales to show off and sell used clothing and other items.
In 1958, the organization transitioned from yard sales to operating a brick-and-mortar shop located on San Fernando Boulevard.
After rapidly outgrowing the first facility, the guild moved to Tujunga Avenue, and, after 22 years, moved again to what became known as the “Little Blue Cottage” on Magnolia Avenue. In November 2007, the guild relocated once again to its current location on Burbank Boulevard.
The La Providencia Guild is one of 26 associate and affiliate members of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and is governed by the Associates and Affiliates Office. Its mission is to support the services and research of the hospital, and, this year, the group is putting its focus on helping to fund an endowment for the chief of the division for endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism and an endowment for chief of hepatobiliary, pancreatic surgery and abdominal organ transplantation.
Along with its thrift shop, the guild stages numerous fundraising events throughout the year, some for members and others that are open to the public.
During last week’s event, guild member Ann O’Donnell-Gardner promoted the organization’s upcoming fall fundraiser that will take place at the De Luxe Banquet Hall near Burbank City Hall.
“Our fall event, which is open to everyone, is our biggest event of the year,” O’Donnell-Gardener said. “This year, it will really be special in that we will be taking everyone to a 1940s-era nightclub with singers and entertainers that will bring back memories with the songs, music and dances of the time.”
For more information about the La Providencia Guild’s Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Thrift Shop, located at 3301 Burbank Blvd., guild membership, upcoming events or to make donations, visit laprov.org or call (818) 845-6606.

DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.

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