A whopping $150,000 was raised at the 53rd Annual California Conference for Equality and Justice’s Humanitarian Awards Dinner held on May 25 at the Hyatt Regency.
The 350 attendees were welcomed by CCEJ chair Minnie Douglas, with dinner co-chairs Julie and Walter Larkins opening the program by introducing the 40 past honorees by year.
Four distinguished honorees were recognized with the CCEJ’s 2016 Humanitarian Award. These leaders were recognized for their advancement of the mission of CCEJ, their many civic contributions, and their life-long commitment to humankind.
Honorees were Jim and Liz Breslauer, Terry Geiling, Police Chief Robert Luna, and Darick Simpson. The Building Bridges Award was presented to the Assistance League of Long Beach, accepted by president Suzanne Powell, for its support of the vision of CCEJ and for valuing diversity and the worth of every individual.
The always elegant dinner began with entertainment during the cocktail hour provided by former Motown recording artist Rick Whitfield.
The room was beautiful, decorated in black, silver and green. Debi Win’E, of Saddleback Valley Chapter of American Gold Star Moms, opened the program with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by an inspiring opening thought from Chaplain Eve Edmond, chaplain with the Long Beach Police Department.
Deborah Goldfarb, CEO for the Jewish Federation and Jewish Community Foundation, closed the evening, with heartfelt remarks about the honorees’ humanitarian works and the importance and impact of CCEJ’s work in the community.
The California Conference for Equality and Justice is a social justice and human relations organization dedicated to eliminating bias, bigotry and racism through education, conflict resolution and advocacy.
