Burbank Coordinating Council was recognized by government officials Monday for 80 years of support to the community. The council started such programs as Burbank Temporary Aid Center, school crossing guards and the Senior and Youth boards. Its leaders continue to run the Holiday Baskets program providing food and gifts for more than 500 families each year and camp scholarships for children from low-income families.
By Joyce Rudolph
BurbankNBeyond
Representatives from government offices joined those from PTAs, religious organizations, businesses, charitable and service organizations to wish happy birthday to the Burbank Coordinating Council for 80 years of service to the community on Monday at the Little White Chapel Social Hall.
President Eileen Cobos welcomed the more than 50 members and guests to the event where community leaders thanked the council for creating some of the vital and enduring programs — Burbank Temporary Aid Center, Holiday Baskets and others, that make Burbank a great place to live.
Burbank Coordinating Council began in 1933 through the efforts of the Burbank PTA and Burbank Unified School District administrators. It has been responsible for beginning the Safety Sallies (school crossing guards), Burbank Temporary Aid Center, the Senior and Youth Boards (to help understand the needs of both sectors in the population), Community Forums (to allow all voices to be heard on public issues), Child Guidance and Protection Programs, Operation Death Trap (with Boy Scouts), Books for Korea, Foster Home Studies (to improve the care for foster children), and other programs to help stop abuse and neglect in the homes.
Since 1946, council members have organized the Holiday Baskets program and coordinate with others groups to provide food and gifts for more than 550 low-income families with children on the federal school lunch program. The council also raises funds to send from 50 to 200 children of low-income families to summer camp each year.
Mary Hovagimian, district representative for Rep. Adam Schiff, said the congressman felt for all its accomplishments, the Burbank Coordinating Council deserved to be added to the Congressional Record and prepared a statement listing its achievements, which Hovagimian read to those attending the celebration.
“You deserve a special gold star in Heaven,” Dunwell said. “You are incredible! We congratulate you on this 80 years of service to our community, your hard work and dedication to implementing and promoting local programs that enhance the quality of life for all of the citizens of the 43rd Assembly District. It is truly commendable and sets an example for all.”
In presenting a commendation from the city of Burbank, Vice Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy told how she became a supporter of the Coordinating Council two years ago, helping to fill Holiday Baskets. This year she recruited a neighbor to help and that neighbor plans to return next year. Gabel-Luddy also sought out a business to donate enough to send four children to camp this summer, she said.
