Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services recently hosted the second virtual “Dinners From the Heart” event of the summer. The agency partnered with the Raymond 1886, the celebrated Pasadena restaurant and cocktail bar for a virtual cocktail class and party.
The event kicked off with a warm welcome from state Sen. Anthony Portantino, who joined the party from Sacramento to show his support and thank the agency for all the work it does.
During the virtual event, the Raymond 1886’s head barman, Jesus Gomez, taught guests two summer cocktail recipes, as well as the fundamentals of cocktail mixing. As guests sipped the results of their newly acquired skills and enjoyed charcuterie plates, Assistant General Manager Andrew Cowan briefly shared the history of the historic restaurant. The current restaurant, with its craftsman architecture, was once the caretaker’s cottage of the Raymond Hotel. The cocktails enjoyed by guests — the Bee’s Knees and the 1926 Cosmo — date back to the era when the Raymond Hotel was the only place in town to get a cocktail.
In addition to the good company and festivities, the assembled group was making a positive difference in our community as all proceeds from the evening go directly to help children, young adults and families impacted by COVID-19, including providing critical mental health services. Hathaway-Sycamores President and CEO Debra Manners shared with guests, “It’s been a very challenging time for everyone with COVID-19, but it’s been even more so for the kids and the families, young adults and adults whom we work with — and we are seeing real challenges with going back to school.”
Manners then thanked all the guests for their support. Guests also had the opportunity to learn a little more about the agency from two Hathaway-
Sycamores staff members, Juan Bustos and Sam Gonzalez, who each shared a personal story about their work. Both spoke about the importance of the human connection — building trust and relationships with those that they provide care to in order to inspire change in their lives. Hearing firsthand stories about the transformation taking place was both moving and inspiring to all who attended.
For information about other upcoming events, contact Melissa Pittson at mpittson@hscfs.org or (626) 395-7100, ext. 2018.
