KABC7 sports broadcaster Rob Fukuzaki emceed the Center’s 14th Annual Gala, held Friday September 21st at the beautiful Pasadena Convention Center.  The stars of the evening were Joan Whitenack & Ray Wheeler, who graciously accepted their well-deserved Humanitarians of the Decade Award for their long-time and invaluable service to Foothill Unity Center and the local community.

Also honored at the Gala were Lorraine Bernstein with the 2012 Heart in Hand Humanitarian Award for her dedicated volunteer service; Wells Fargo with Neighbors Helping Neighbors Corporate Award for its strong volunteer and financial commitment to the community; and Bruce Laughton and Gary Harrigian with the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Advocates Award for their long-time work with the Holiday Angels Toy Drive and Back-to-School Distribution.

The gala’s Honorary Committee was headed up by Mickey and Lee Segal with able backing from many generous and kind community members.  In addition, the Dinner Committee, chaired by Suzanne Marks of Pasadena Advertising, with members Hoofrish Patel of Tamrish Event Design, David Steinmeier, Lois Gaston, Ken Salzman and Meredith Johnson, did an excellent job organizing the gala into the most successful fundraising event ever for the Center; bringing in more than $125,000 in proceeds for the Center’s programs. Indeed, the hundreds of guests attending this celebration felt the sincerity we all share in making a vital impact on the lives of people in need.