Feeling Connected at the Angeles Chapter Annual Banquet
On Sunday May 21st, 250 Angeles Chapter members, volunteers, sponsors, and vendors gathered at Frankie LA to celebrate the power of the Sierra Club together. Ten of the chapter’s most inspiring and impactful members were honored for their dedication to the chapter. If you missed the event, please take a look at the impressive list of honorees here: 2023 Awardees
Guests enjoying the auction. Photo Credit: Theo Yang
Connections were happening all throughout the day, which began with a coffee and social hour, sponsored by Laleigh Coffee. Guests mingled, reconnected, and enjoyed hanging out at the Swell Energy Welcome Lounge and shopping at the Parks Project Pop Up Shop while also bidding on auction items and participating in a collaborative painting project, hosted by Urban Crop Circle. Breakout sessions called “Campfire Conversations” were held throughout the venue so that guests could dive into topics such The State of the Chapter, Solar Power with Swell Energy, Conservation & Outings, and Pro Outdoor Tips.
DJ Meatless Beatz was at the turntable while Leaf Over Beef provided lunch and 10 different LA based breweries donated craft beer, which guests enjoyed at tables decorated with succulent arrangements created (and donated!) by Santa Clarita Group Chair Sandra Cattell.
Comedian Kristina Wong was the headlining entertainer for the afternoon. Her sharp wit was combined with an edgy yet poignant take on environmental issues and several people commented that this was their favorite part of the event!
Not to be outdone, however, was the heartwarming presentation of awards by beloved Angeles Chapter volunteer Chuck Currier. Honorees were introduced with their truly impressive list of accomplishments. Executive Chair Dyana Pena was all smiles as she handed plaques to each honoree. Gratitude for their work was shown by standing ovations and lots of enthusiastic congratulations from Sierra Club peers.
The event in full swing. Photo Credit: Theo Yang
This event was a zero-waste effort. Digital tools replaced paper, reusable tablecloths replaced disposable, Compostable LA coordinated compostable serveware and compost pickup, guests brought their own reusable beverage containers or bought a reusable mug at the venue. The coffee host added to our efforts by avoiding single use cups. In all, just one bag of trash went to the landfill plus two boxes for recycling beer and soda cans. This is a terrific example of how we sustain zero waste events in the future!
On behalf of the committee and Chapter staff, thank you to everyone who planned, volunteered, sponsored, supported, and attended the event. Banquet co-chairs Jessica Chow and Tejinder Dhillon did an outstanding and thoughtful job at organizing the 2023 banquet. Special thanks to Chuck Currier and Kristina Wong for bringing their sincerity and humor to the stage. Thank you to the team of volunteers who made this event actually happen, namely Tesia Lee, Nancy Ly and so many more generous folks! Thank you to everyone who donated items for the auction, decor for the event, and beer for the bar. We are incredibly grateful to the sponsors and vendors who showed up with hospitality: Swell Energy, Beneficial State Bank, The Parks Project, Frankie LA, DJ Meatless Beatz, La Pinata Party Rentals, Compostable LA, LaLeigh Coffee, Leaf Over Beef, My Aunt Ruth Audio Visual, OC Audio Visual Solutions, Theo Yang Videography, Mark Allen Photography, and Urban Crop Circle.
Our $5000 Title Sponsor, Swell Energy, was honored to support this year's Sierra Club Angeles Banquet.
“We offer our thanks to all the attendees who stopped by the Swell lounge to speak with us and learn more about how Swell can support your transition to clean energy while also contributing to the important work the Angeles chapter is doing year-round. We sincerely congratulate the Angeles team and this year's annual award recipients, whose dedication and hard work to carry forward the mission of the chapter, are making a real difference in the community. We are truly honored to work alongside you.”
To learn more about how you can be a part of the clean energy transition while financially supporting the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter, please visit: https: swellenergy.com/SCLAevents
Laleigh Coffee Host Served up Smiles. Photo Credit: Theo Yang
Thank you to chapter members who supported the awards process. Awardees are nominated and chosen by peers, making this a very meaningful recognition. Congratulations, again, to the 2023 honorees. Your contributions are huge!
Last but certainly not least, thank you to everyone who bought a ticket, a half table, a table, a mug, bid on auction items, or made a donation. As the biggest annual gathering of chapter membership, this event is also a fundraiser. Thank you for your donations, all of which help connect our work to more people in the community. If you would like to become a monthly donor to further increase your impact, please sign up here: Become A Monthly Donor
Plans for next year are already underway. If you would like to become an event sponsor or join the planning committee, please contact chowjjs@gmail.com or jennifer.gregg@sierraclub.org.
Click here for more event photos by Theo Yang Photography
Cover photo: Awardee Will McWhinney with friends. Photo Credit: Theo Yang
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