From a handful of women in 1990 to nearly 150 members today, the Luminaries and their high school aged children, the novas, continue to volunteer approximately 6,000 hours annually. Collectively the groups have donated more than $500,000 to support many of the hospital’s important projects. The “Grand Finale” event honored 19 graduating seniors along with 16 Novas who volunteered more than 100 hours to Torrance Memorial Medical Center. Terri Mitani, Luminaries president, presented Lisa Takata of the Torrance Memorial Foundation, with a contribution of $42,000. The sum was raised largely through the group’s second annual Spring Into Fitness 5K fundraiser this past March at the South Coast Botanical Gardens. In addition, the NOVAs gifted “wish list” items, ranging from gift cards to craft supplies and high chairs to the neonatal intensive care, burn and pediatric units. Other speakers and presenters included Luminaries founder, Judy Sipes, Mary Matson, director of Torrance Memorial service excellence, and graduating senior and Novas president, Michael Lazarus. The event took place at the Torrance Marriott. Members, their families and special guests from Torrance Memorial attended.
Photos by Deidre Davidson
