A full moon and lovely, clear star-gazing weather at the beautiful home of Kate Duey and Bob Malchione created a stunning backdrop for IEA’s Moonlight & Stars Benefit Dinner on Friday, October 18. The evening celebrated IEA and gifted children and recognized two amazing individuals and longtime IEA Apprenticeship Mentors, Dr. Henri Ford and Mr. Stan Kong.
Dr. Ford is the Vice President and Chief of Surgery at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and a Professor of Surgery and the Vice Dean for Medical Education at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine. He has been an IEA Apprenticeship Mentor for seven years and has mentored 17 Apprentices.
Mr. Kong is the Head of Product Design at Pasadena City College and a faculty member of the Graduate Industrial Design program at Art Center College of Design. He has been an IEA Apprenticeship Mentor for 14 years and has mentored more than 150 Apprentices.
What did our guests enjoy?
Assorted hors d’oeuvres and cocktails were served, including the signature drink for the evening, the LeMOONdrop. Wine was generously donated by John and Pam Craig.
Delicious dinner was catered by celebrated local chef Claud Beltran of Pasadena’s The Eatery. Table decorations included beautiful centerpieces donated by Orchard Supply Hardware.
Thanks to generous donations by individuals and local businesses, there were more than thirty one-of-a-kind silent auction packages available, including:
- VIP tickets to tapings of The Big Bang Theory and Jimmy Kimmel Live!
- Behind-the-scenes tours of the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
- Artwork created by past Apprentices, CDB Scholars, and CDB parents
- Gift certificates to local businesses
- Resources, services, and enrichment opportunities for gifted children and their parents
Attendees had the privilege of speaking with Mr. Stan Kong and Dr. Henri Ford, two incredible individuals who we are lucky to have as members of our community, and the evening provided an opportunity for many different members of our community to meet each other. Guests also enjoyed a heartfelt presentation by past IEA Apprentices thanking Dr. Ford and Mr. Kong for their mentorship.
The growth of IEA was palpable over the course of the evening, as all IEA programs were represented and Mentors, program participants, board members, parents, supporters, and staff joined together to celebrate.
The bright young minds we serve were involved in every aspect of the event. 2012 Caroline D. Bradley Scholar Talya Klinger created beautiful, hand-blown glass awards for each of our honorees. Two Caroline D. Bradley alumni, Bo Yan Moran and Tanner Scharch, and 2013 Apprentice James Tom played live music for the Patron and Open Cocktails. During the evening’s program, 2008 Apprentice Thomas Zenteno spoke about his Apprenticeship with Mr. Kong, and 2010 Apprentice Clara Wang spoke about her Apprenticeship with Dr. Ford. Many former Apprentices of Dr. Ford and Mr. Kong were also featured in a video tribute to the honorees.
Thank you again to all of our event sponsors, donors, and guests. Your participation in this event has played an integral part in our fundraising efforts for this year to help us continue to provide unique and valuable programs and services to bright young minds. We couldn’t do it without you!
Please help IEA continue to shine! If you have not yet had the opportunity to donate or if you would like to make another contribution, we would greatly appreciate your support by clicking here.