Chairwoman

Joan Patricia “J.P.” O’Connor oan Patricia “J.P.” O’Connor , a cancer survivor and chairwoman of the American Cancer Society’s local seventh annual Relay for Life, looked out over the assemblage who had gathered in McCambridge Park to kick off this year’s event. “In the words of the famous anthropologist Margaret Mead, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has,’” O’Connor said in her welcoming comments.

Members of La Providencia Guild of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles recently gathered for two events. Active members had a social under the stars at the Hollywood Bowl. Social Chairwoman Elaine Thomas planned the event with help from Mary Alice O'Connor. Elaine and her husband, Paul Thomas, hosted a barbecue for guests President Kathy and Michael Pepper, Walter and Lynne Meares, Bud and Charlene Dettmann, Michael and Sharon Ranshaw, Bob and Marilyn Teasley, Charles and Judy Stuart, Bob and Sue Ann Gordon, John and Estella Ihlenfeldt, Charles and Veronica Chavoor, Lou and Tomme Lenz, Bob and Marj Overstreet, Peggy Pulver, Marian D'Alessio, Mary Alice O'Connor and Doris Palmer.

Fashion show lunch supports youth A charity fashion show luncheon called "Chic Affaire" is being sponsored by the Opti-Mrs. Club of North Hollywood from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 26 at The Castaway in Burbank. Festivities include a three-course lunch with dessert, centerpiece drawings, door prizes and raffle of gift baskets, money trees, gift certificates and merchandise. Coldwater Creek, a Sherman Oaks retailer of distinctive apparel, jewelry, gifts and home accessories, will coordinate the show of casual and dressy fashions for women of all ages and sizes.

A group of volunteers with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is compiling a resource booklet on services available to military veterans in Burbank. Judy Pike is chairwoman of the Volunteers for Veterans and their Families. The purpose of the group is to identify the services available to men and women of all ages who have returned to civilian life after serving their country. “We want to find out what is missing and be able to provide that in our community,” Pike said.

About 30,000 people are expected to flock to Olive Avenue on Saturday for the 32nd annual Burbank on Parade, with this year's theme “Let's Go to the Movies!” Dancers, clowns, floats, marching bands and equestrian entries, along with popular characters Bob's Big Boy and Ronald McDonald, are slated to walk, glide and trot down Olive from Keystone to Lomita streets starting at 11 a.m. “So many citizens wait all year long to share this special day with us, and we hope to live up to those expectations with this year's production,” said Joanne Miller, parade chairwoman, in a statement.

The Kiwanis for Fun and the Aktion Club joined in a fundraising Bowl-A-Thon on Feb. 24 at Pickwick Bowl. Funds raised will help defray costs for the Aktion Club to attend the annual convention. Those getting the highest scoring games and receiving trophies were, from the Aktion Club, Best Female, Christina Ortiz; and Best Male, Gabriel Pacheco. The guest winners were Best Female, Jamie Killion; and Best Male, Mark Brooks. Members of the Aktion Club have been busy over the last couple of months, said publicity chairwoman Isabel Adams.

Guild presents funds to medical center official Funds raised from June 2003 to May 2004 were presented to an official from Providence St. Joseph Medical Center during the medical center guild's June Recognition and Installation Tea at Lakeside Golf Club. President Julie McArdle presented Arnold Schaffer with a check for $182,500 toward the guild's million-dollar pledge for the Integrated Cancer Center. The funds were raised through the guild's Gift Gallery and its Fall/Spring Events.