
Thank you to all who attended the Circle of Hope celebration on Thursday, May 4th , at the Oakmont Country Club in Glendale.
The event began at 6pm with guests greeted by volunteer and HFS adoptee Viki Battaglia and her daughter Phyllis. Attendees then circulated at the lobby bar or proceeded into the Bistro Room for Opportunity Drawing offerings of a Coach Purse and gift card (The Wright Family); Mocktail Basket (Elaine Tumones); and a Breville Air Fryer with William Sonoma Darth Vader accessory set in honor of “May the 4th Be With You Day.” The Opportunity Drawing station was staffed by volunteers Emily Wright and Rory Ziehler-Martin.
More than 80 attendees enjoyed the charcuterie station and passed hors devours. At 7pm, HFS Board President Marianne and her husband Matt Wright, hosts for the evening’s program, welcomed the guests and introduced Sr. Maribeth Larkin, Sister of Social Service, who represented the event’s honorees. Sr. Maribeth thanked HFS and shared riveting stories about the Sisters’ work for 30 years with HFS, and described how the Sisters remain an integral and vibrant part of the communities they serve. Sr. Shaun Maria, who worked with HFS during those last years, was in attendance. Sr. Maribeth was presented with a Eugenio Pattarino (1885 – 1971) ceramic sculpture of the Holy Family for use at their retreat center in Encino.












Next on the program were Megan and Joseph McKellar, and their son Francisco, adopted through HFS. Francisco’s adoption was finalized through the courts in March of this year. Megan shared their story while Joseph held a wiggly Francisco. The family was gifted a basket of fun bath toys as a thank you for attending the event.
The Live Auction portion of the evening was hosted by Matt Wright, voice of The Game Show Network and The Hallmark Channel. Matt led a lively round of bidding for a wine tasting experience at Rusack Vineyards (Aison and Geoff Rusack); premium Dodger Tickets (Barbara Horowitz and Brent Tufeld); and a Disney Parks Gift Basket (Jon Courie.) The Opportunity Drawing tickets were drawn and announced by HFS adoptee and 4th grader Mary Lawson.
The final event of the evening was the paddle raise. See related article.
As guests finalized their donations and paid for their live auction items, HFS adoptees and parents took a photo in the lobby. One for the ages!
Watch for the announcement of HFS’s 75th Anniversary Circle of Hope Anniversary Celebration next year!