Order in the McCourt; Professionally Speaking; Youth and Priviliege

Order in the McCourt

Jamie McCourt, Los Angeles Dodgers’ president and vice chair, was honored with the prestigious Woman of the Year award at Friendly House’s annual luncheon and celebrity stylist, Carrie White, was honored with the Excellent Service Award. They join a distinguished list of philanthropic women honorees include Wallis Annenberg, Barbara Sinatra, Betty Ford and Carol Burnett among others. Approximately $250,000 was raised during the event.

Friendly House Executive Director Peggy Albrecht called McCourt “a long-time supporter of organizations dedicated to empowering women. She is a giving and passionate advocate for the greater Los Angeles community and an example of what women can aspire to given self-determination and focus.”

Friendly House is the oldest women’s recovery program in the United States and was founded in 1951 to assist women recovering from the diseases of alcoholism and drug addiction.

Daphna’s Dinner
Couples Who Help

Linell and Robert Shapiro and son Grant accepted the Award for Enlightenment at the annual Maple Counseling Center Crystal Ball for their tireless efforts bringing aid to families struggling with substance abuse. The couple created the Brent Shapiro Foundation for Drug Awareness as a tribute to their late son to help families by raising awareness of drug and alcohol dependence though education and support.

On hand at the event were Myra Lurie and husband David Goldman, son of Maple Center founders Sooky and Sam Goldman; Helene Harris and Lillian and Stuart Raffels.

Along with the Shapiros the center honored philanthropists Wendy and Dr. Asher Kelman with the Award for Community Spirit for their dedication to a host of causes in Los Angeles. As a former radiation oncologist, Asher Kelman is known for treating his patients with compassion and understanding when facing a cancer. A former psychiatric social worker, Wendy Kelman single-handedly aided hundreds of men and women suffering from HIV/AIDS as an emotional support group facilitator in Los Angeles. Sharing their time, resources and talent with organizations such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, LACMA, MOCA, The Colburn School of Performing Arts, Beverly Hills Education Foundation, Friends of the Beverly Hills Library and LA Shanti, the Kelmans have proven themselves an invaluable asset to the Los Angeles philanthropic community.

The Maple Counseling Center has helped people in need for more than three decades offering a range of low cost services from family therapy to crisis debriefing to individuals, couples, families and groups from infants to seniors.

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