https://outlooknewspapers.smugmug.com/San-Marino/Community/NCL-Juniors-Step-Out-for-Acts-of-Shakespeare-Gala/i-mVwFn9p/A
National Charity League Juniors of San Marino hosted their “Acts of Shakespeare” gala last Saturday night to fundraise for the Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units of Huntington Memorial Hospital.
More than 250 guests attended the event at the historic Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles, which featured silent and live auctions, a casino and dancing. The money raised will continue to fund Huntington Hospital’s Parent Connection, advanced training for the NICU nurses, and the Helen Hancock Scholarship, as well as also help to purchase a Dornier Diode Surgical Laser to be used to treat medical conditions in infants while still in utero.
Guest speakers included Maria Baber-Smith, the grandmother of NICU champion Isaiah who was born at 24 weeks weighing only 1 pound 4.4 ounces. The baby only had a 22% chance of surviving, but due to the support of the NCL Juniors in raising funds for the NICU’s needs, Isaiah is now a healthy and energetic 3-year-old. Also speaking was Dr. Ramen Chmait, who explained how the purchase of the surgical laser would enable him to save countless more lives.
Honoree Justene Pierce gave a heartwarming acceptance speech when presented with the 2017 President’s Award, crediting her family for who she is today. The gala was chaired by Carol Huang; the group’s president is Nancy Ko.
