Hundreds of charity-minded area residents exercised the opportunity to enjoy first-class meals while simultaneously raising more than $47,000 for youngsters in need of mental-health and other therapeutic-support services as part of Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services’ annual fundraiser – Dinners From the Heart. Since its inception in 1991, the event has raised over $777,000 for the children and families served by Hathaway-Sycamores.

Held from Feb. 24 through Feb. 26, this year’s event included more than 35 first-rate restaurants located throughout the greater San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles, Glendale, and Orange County. This year’s event also featured several private group dinners with keynote-caliber guests, including: Randy Pura of Ventana Vineyards; Chef Claud Beltran from Claud & Co. Eatery; Seema Sueko, associate artistic director of the Pasadena Playhouse; Aaron Takahashi, theatre, film and television actor; playwright Paul Kikuchi; Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times’ NFL columnist; Chris Dufresne, Los Angeles Times’national college football/basketball columnist; and Lian Dolan, writer, producer and broadcaster.

Commenting on the successful event, Hathaway-Sycamores’ President and CEO William Martone applauded all of the caring community members who supported this year’s fundraiser and expressed additional thanks to Dinners From the Heart co-chairs – the Los Altos Auxiliary, along with Bob and Gregg Smith of Smith Brothers Restaurant Corporation.”