Diane Danis, Mona Delahooke, Mark and Eva Woodsmall, and Amy Johnson were among those who attended last year’s “Harvest Moon Magic” gala. This year’s fundraiser will be held Sunday evening, Sept. 30.
Professional Child Development Associates will host “Harvest Moon Magic” gala dinner and art auction on Sunday, Sept. 30, to raise funds for its clinic, which serves children with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families.
“Magic is such an important part of childhood, and PCDA helps children use their imagination to spur their development and growth, so it’s a wonderful theme for our celebration,” according to gala committee chair Chelby Crawford. “We have some surprises planned, so this year’s event will be very special.”
The event in the verdant yard of Therese and Mario Molina will be catered by Pasadena’s popular Parkway Grill and has a distinguished roster of honorees. The recipient of this year’s Community Service Award is Alan Vlacich. In addition to having served as a PCDA board member for 10 years, Alan is an active member of several local service organizations and, with his wife, Lin, is a dedicated philanthropist. Alan works as an insurance agent with Shaw, Moses, Mendenhall and Associates.
Dr. Joshua Feder will receive the Greenspan Humanitarian Award, given to a professional who has made a significant impact supporting children with autism, using the developmental and relational approach called DIR developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan. The approach is employed in all programs at PCDA. Feder is a child and family psychiatrist in Solana Beach addressing neuropsychiatric challenges.
Accepting this year’s Achievement Award is Joshua Ray Cabrera, a member of PCDA’s Teen Club and a senior at Woodrow Wilson High School, where his academic interests include math, engineering, computer animation and robotics. When he was diagnosed with autism at age 5, Joshua started at PCDA in the DIR/Floortime program. His mother, Marissa, shares: “He has grown so much, from being shy and reserved to being confident, learning how to ask for help, and taking charge in any situation.” After graduating, Joshua plans to attend college and would like to become an engineer and contribute to his community.
For 21 years, PCDA has sought to improve the quality of life for children with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families. Using a play-based therapeutic approach, PCDA clinicians see more than 800 children, teens and young adults every week, helping them to reach developmental milestones, live more fulfilling lives and enjoy warm and loving relationships.
Tickets to Harvest Moon Magic are $200, and there are many ways to sponsor or support the event. For more information visit 501auctions.com/pcdaharvestmoon or contact Lauren Loadvine at (626) 793-7350, ext. 289, or laurenl@pcdateam.org. To learn more about PCDA’s services, visit pcdateam.org.
