Lummis Day Fundraiser to Be Held on Saturday, May 7

While the annual Lummis Day celebration is still about one month away, community members have an opportunity on Saturday, May 7, to celebrate and support the event.

On Saturday, May 7, the Lummis Day Community Foundation will hold a gala and fundraiser in preparation for the annual Lummis Day Celebration, to be held on Sunday, June 5.

The benefit is scheduled to take place from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Lummis Home, located at 200 E. Avenue 43.

The outdoor fundraiser and gala event will feature food, entertainment and a silent auction. All of the food and auction items have been donated by local businesses, as well as the entertainment.

“Our goal is to raise $5,000 from ticket sales and the silent auction,” said Lummis Day planning board member Eliot Sekular. “All of the proceeds will go toward Lummis Day.”

Lummis Day is a multicultural festival named after Charles Lummis. Lummis walked to Highland Park from Ohio, over the course of 143 days, to work as city editor of the L.A. Times. He also founded the Southwest Museum and worked aggressively to recognize and preserve the different cultures present in Southern California during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The fundraiser is open to the public and tickets can be bought online at the Lummis Day website, or in person at . Ticket prices are $30 pre-sale and $35 at the door. Food, wine and drinks are included in the price of admission.

Margaret Cleary teaches a group of dancers--The Cleary Irish Dancers--who will perform at the fundraiser.

“We’re involved because one of my students’ family is very involved and are strong supporters of Lummis Day, so they asked me if I would be willing to set a group up and volunteer to perform,” Cleary said.

“I like to try to support all good causes and fundraising events throughout the community, this will be our first time being involved and it should be positive. We’re glad to help out anyway we can and spread out culture as well,” Cleary said.

The fundraiser committee secured donations from , , , , , Cinnamon Vegetarian Restaurant, Mardy’s Munchies and The Ann Walnum Kitchen.

Members on the fundraiser committee include Michele Clark, Rosamaria Marquez, Ann Walnum, Ariel Van Zandweghe, Xavier Estrada and Maggie Barto.

“I had a fabulous committee and they all worked enthusiastically to get everything done and put this thing together,” said Clark. “I was sorry that I had gotten called out of town, but the event is in capable hands.”

Some of the items being auctioned off are bottles of wine, art and various collectibles.

Gabriel Buelna’s three daughters--Gabriela, 12, Gema, 10, Paulina, 8, also known as the The Buelna Sisters--are a Mexican folkloric dance group and will also be performing Saturday night.

“As a father, I’m extremely proud of having my daughters participate at the fundraiser,” Buelna said. “Charles was a man who believed in California and Mexican culture, so to have my daughters there, who are Mexican-American at an event honoring Charles Lummis is great.”

Buelna said, “I think he [Lummis] would be proud. I’m proud, and it continues the spirit of diversity in Los Angeles that Charles Lummis promoted.”