YMCA Soiree, Waggy Awards name honorees; LUNA’s been busy
YCMA BOARD MEMBER Chase Campen, John Welborne, and YMCA Executive Director Rae Jin celebrate Welborne’s Community Leadership Award. Photo by Bryce Ikemura
The third annual Anderson Munger Family YMCA Summer Soiree kicked off with cocktails Aug. 22. The event was held on the YMCA Koreatown rooftop sports deck on one of Los Angeles’ warmest nights of the year. Guests were greeted with a jaw-dropping view of the Los Angeles skyline, hors d’oeuvres, various cheese selections, sangria, and lemonade. After guests mingled with close friends and community members, they were ushered onto the basketball court, which had been transformed into a dinner party fantasyland. Master of Ceremonies Chase Campen welcomed guests to the occasion, reminding them that the YMCA “isn’t just a fitness center. It’s also whatever the community needs.” He was followed by Larchmont Charter High School Youth & Government delegate Everett Moore, who explained the importance of the YMCA’s programs, which teach kids about our systems of government.
Guests enjoyed a catered dinner by Farbar featuring chicken skewers and pork, chicken and beef tacos with plenty of sides and fixings. Honoree speeches and presentations followed.
LARCHMONT CHARTER teacher, Daniel Loh received the Educator Award.
This year’s Social Impact Award honoree was The Koreatown Youth & Community Center for its support of children and families in the areas of education, health, housing, and finances. Larchmont Charter School teacher Daniel Loh, board member of the Anderson Munger Family YMCA Summer Soiree and Anderson Munger YMCA, and advisor of multiple clubs, including Best Buddies, Scholar’s Circle and Bridge Organization, received the Educator Award. LAFD Fire Station 29 received the Public Service & Safety Award for its trusted partnership with the community and its dedication to public service.
And John Welborne, who was honored for his decades-long dedication to the history and functioning of the city of Los Angeles, took home the Community Leadership Award. Welborne, the former publisher and editor of the Larchmont Chronicle, is also co-creator of the Wilshire Homeowners’ Alliance and the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council, a Los Angeles historic preservationist, and lifelong resident of our local community.
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A ROOM FULL of animal lovers and rescuers celebrates and fundraises at the 2025 Waggy Awards.
Woof! The Waggy Awards are as fun as they sound! One night a year, supporters gather to celebrate animals, people who love animals, and animal rescue organizations who tirelessly dedicate themselves to saving four-legged and feathered friends who fall into their care. To raise critical and life-saving funds, the September 4 event, held at the Taglyan Complex on Vine Street, was packed to the chandeliers with silent auction items that reflected our favorite furry friends.
Never heard of The Tailwaggers Foundation? Woof! The Tailwaggers Club was a charity created in 1929, of which actress Bette Davis was an early president. By 1930 there were one million members worldwide. One million! When Todd Warner, owner of Tailwaggers Pet Food and Supplies, founded his first store in 2003, he quickly realized the great need that animal rescue organizations faced throughout the city.
He reinstated The Tailwaggers Foundation in 2013 and has been successfully fundraising and saving animals ever since. The reality is that most animal rescue organizations spend 50% of their budget to treat sick and injured animals. This is where the Tailwaggers Foundation comes in. While hundreds of guests dined on a vegetarian Mediterranean spread, video presentations highlighted stories of local animals who have been rescued and saved by grants and the fundraising efforts of the Tailwaggers Foundation. Host and Honoree Kacey Montoya (Emmy Award-winning journalist and KTLA weathercaster) spoke of the work that the foundation has done over the years.
“That’s why we’re all here tonight, to provide the critical financial support and to honor the extraordinary rescues who give so much of themselves to save lives,” said Montoya. “Their work is tireless and selfless and truly makes the difference between life and death.” Pasadena Humane was honored for the work they have been performing to save animals that were injured or displaced from the Los Angeles and Eaton fires. Diane Warren, who could not be in attendance, was honored for The Diane Warren Foundation and Mousebutt Rescue Ranch for their ongoing animal advocacy. Other organizations highlighted included Pups Without Borders and the Stray Cat Alliance.
TODD WARNER speaks to a packed house about the importance of the Tailwagger’s Foundation and thanks supporters for their generosity.
Todd Warner revealed that the Tailwaggers Foundation has granted over half a million dollars to the lifesaving medical care for animals in need. The night wrapped up with a live auction for a stay at The Family Coppola Hideaway in Belize and plenty of take-away swag bags, filled with treats and treasures for the animal friends at home. Meow!
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The strength of our community relies in just that… our ability to build and strengthen our community! With that in mind, several neighbors got together in February and decided to launch a dedicated community organization to focus on the area between Melrose Avenue to the north, Beverly Boulevard to the south, Wilton Place to the east, and Arden Boulevard to the west. They call it the Larchmont United Neighborhood Association (LUNA) and their focus is to address local challenges, foster connections, and build a stronger, safer, and more vibrant community.
The organization has already been met with a ton of interest, with neighbors jumping on board with energy and on Sept. 3, LUNA organized a happy hour at Tu Madre, on the corner of Melrose Avenue and Larchmont Boulevard. Fifty-four friends and neighbors showed up for the all-you-can-eat Mexican food spread (two drinks included) to meet new friends, socialize and support the beloved local business.
SARITA SINGH, John Duerler and Natalie Irby show up to support the community and meet new neighbors.
Since launching, LUNA has been busy, busy, busy! Director of Membership Annie O’Rourke revealed that since launching, LUNA has hosted three neighborhood clean-ups, two Tu Madre happy hours, one online community meeting, a ReadyLA Disaster Zoom, an ice cream social at Jeni’s Ice Cream, and the 2025 Larchmont Spring Block Party.
As if that wasn’t enough, the grassroots organization also introduced the LUNA Loyalty Card, which offers deals and benefits for LUNA members at local Larchmont Boulevard establishments. Looking ahead, the group plans to host eight Ready Your L.A. Neighborhood (RYLAN) workshops throughout Larchmont and are partnering with Livable Communities Initiative at the Larchmont Family Fair in October. Spotted at the Sept. 3 event were John and Eileen Lanza, Sarita Singh, Natalie Irby, Tati Simonian, Mitchell Colley, and John Duerler, who enthusiastically remarked that
“Finally there is a neighborhood organization like LUNA that is stepping up in times of uncertainty. Everyone is coming together and looking out for each other, which should happen in every community!”
JOHN AND EILEEN LANZA raise a glass to LUNA and their close knit community.
LUNA’s next in-person community meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 6, at Van Ness Elementary School. The organizers encourage all neighbors, members or not, to attend.
And, now you’re in the Larchmont know!
Category: People
