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The event, in the verdant yard of Therese and Mario Molina, will be catered by Pasadena’s popular Parkway Grill and will incorporate the magic of imagination. “Magic is such an important part of childhood, and PCDA helps children use their imagination to spur their development and growth, so it’s a wonderful theme for our celebration,” according to Harvest Moon Committee Chair Chelby Crawford. “We have some surprises planned, so this year’s event will be very special!”
The event has a distinguished roster of honorees. The recipient of this year’s Community Service Award is Alan Vlacich. In addition to having served as a PCDA board member for ten years, Alan is an active member of several local service organizations, and together with his wife Lin, is a dedicated philanthropist. Alan works as an insurance agent with Shaw, Moses, Mendenhall and Associates, and in his free time he enjoys bike riding, coffee roasting, beekeeping and fly-fishing with the Pasadena Casting Club, as well as spending time with friends and his children and grandchildren.
Dr. Joshua Feder will receive the Greenspan Humanitarian Award, given to a professional who has made a significant impact supporting children with autism using the developmental and relational approach called DIR® developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan which is employed in all programs at PCDA. Dr. Feder is a child and family psychiatrist in Solana Beach seeing infants through adults and their families to address neuropsychiatric challenges. He is also a long-time advocate of DIR® services, working to increase access to high quality care for children with autism, as well as advocating at local, state and national levels for patient choice.
Accepting this year’s Achievement Award is Joshua Ray Cabrera, a member of PCDA’s Teen Club and a senior at Woodrow Wilson High School, where his academic interests include math, engineering, computer animation and robotics. When he was diagnosed with autism at age five, Joshua started at PCDA in the DIR®/Floortime program. At age 13, Joshua started Teen Club, and he enjoys it a lot. His mother, Marissa, shares: “He has grown so much, from being shy and reserved to being confident, learning how to ask for help, and taking charge in any situation.” After graduating, Joshua plans to attend college and hopes to one day attend UCLA. He would like to become an engineer and contribute to his community.
All proceeds from this one-of-a-kind evening will benefit PCDA. For twenty-one years, PCDA has improved the quality of life for children with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families. Using a play-based therapeutic approach, PCDA clinicians see over 800 children, teens and young adults every week, helping them to reach developmental milestones, live more fulfilling lives, and enjoy warm and loving relationships.
Tickets to Harvest Moon Magic are $200 each, and there are many ways to sponsor or support the event. To attend or to learn more, please visit https://www.501auctions.com/pcdaharvestmoon or contact Lauren Loadvine at (626) 793-7350 x 289 or LaurenL@pcdateam.org. To learn more about PCDA’s services, please visit www.pcdateam.org.
