LCFEF announces 29th annual Spring Gala canceled due to the novel coronavirus
The La Cañada Flintridge Educational Foundation — which raises more than $2 million annually in support of La Cañada Unified schools — has canceled its March 21 Spring Gala fundraiser amid growing concern about preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus, officials announced Wednesday.
LCFEF Executive Director Marilyn Yang said in a statement issued throughout the school community Wednesday morning the decision to cancel the event was a difficult one.
Upcoming La Cañada Unified school trips to Valley Forge, Pa., New Orleans, New York and Ohio — as well as LCFEF’s March 21 Spring Gala — are the latest casualties in the fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus.
“We understand that this change may cause great inconvenience for you, and we are sincerely sorry,” Yang said. “We are hopeful that by playing a role in raising consciousness and taking appropriate protective measures, we will support the World Health Organization and other agencies in working together across communities to stop this threat.”
The 29th annual gala, themed “Back to the 20s” was to be held at the InterContinental hotel in Los Angeles. Hundreds were expected to attend.
Los Angeles County Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer on Monday called for “social distancing,” a term used to describe keeping people away from crowds in hopes of dramatically reducing the spread of an infectious disease.
Parents of Crescenta Valley High School students are considering suing the travel company currently not issuing monetary refunds for a spring break trip to Japan canceled over coronavirus precautions.
As of Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Public Health Department had confirmed its first coronavirus-related death — a woman over 60 who’d had underlying health issues — and six new cases, bringing the county’s total to 24, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Yang said guests who’d already registered to attend the spring gala had the option of converting ticket costs into a donation toward LCFEF’s annual $2.5-million goal or requesting a refund by calling (818) 952-4268.
So far this school year the group has raised some $1.15 million. To help meet the 2019-20 fundraising goal, an online auction is being set up and will begin March 21 at 9 a.m.
“[We] ask for your continued support of the foundation through this opportunity,” Yang said. “We will share more details in the days ahead.”
