The Big Band Theory packed with PhDs, is a swing band of rocket scientists, engineers, Caltech students, local musicians and artists from DreamWorks Animation. They performed on October 24th for the benefit of Family Promise of San Gabriel Valley.

The event was held at the newly remodeled Rosemead Community Room located behind the Rosemead City Hall.

Empty Bowls is another fundraiser held by Family Promise in April.  Local artists create the bowls sold at the luncheon event. The guests purchase the bowl of their choice and enjoy delicious soups, bread and cookies.

Todd Barber and Jolin Hsu sang several selections from the swing era, several Sinatra songs from the 1950s and hipster’s songs from the 1960s.

The guests enjoyed creating their dinner from the many delicious hot and cold appetizers.

Karen Roberson, Chairwoman of Family Promise welcomed the guests to this fundraiser for Family Promise. She just visited Skid Row and saw all of the cardboard boxes lined up. She said this is no place to raise children. Fifteen churches are involved in their organization. She thanked everyone for their support. Enjoy the treats! Have a good time!

Danielle from Fred Astaire Dance Studio taught the guests who wanted to learn how to dance the swing as the band played on.

She changed the dance partners so everyone had a chance to dance around the floor.

Singer Todd Barber thanked the guests for attending this event. He thanked them for their support of young families.

Several guests enjoyed the various songs as they danced the night away.

Steven Melvin and Jolin Hsu sang as the guests danced to the beat. Tony Barton also enjoyed taking her turn to sing to the audience.

Karen Roberson introduced Director Matthew Rayburn and Jenna Tennyson, a graduate mom. They both thanked the guests for their support. Mr. Rayburn said this is the first community to help support the families. Volunteers help the families. Ms. Tennyson said you have helped my family find a home. She thanked the members for their support.

One-half of a million children live in cars. Los Angeles city declared a state of emergency to help the homeless. Please complete the donor cards presented to each of the guests with their door prize tickets.

Karen Roberson with assistance from Jenna Tennyson and her daughter, Scarlett, selected the raffle tickers for Big Band Theory CDs, hand crafted bowls and two tickets to the 2016 Empty Bowls luncheon.

Mrs. Roberson thanked the volunteers and the band for creating this special night. She thanked the guests for being here. We appreciate your support. This is our chance to bless each family and have the families bless us back.

Family Promise of San Gabriel Valley is a nonprofit (501c3) organization (Tax ID #27-0315194) that was incorporated in May 2009 to provide temporary housing and other assistance to homeless families in the region. It began providing services in December 2011. Family Promise SGV is one of 178 Family Promise affiliates in 41 states across the country. What We Do Family Promise has created a network of congregations across the western San Gabriel Valley that take turns, a week at time, housing and feeding homeless families that are admitted into the program. During the day, the children go to school, while the parents go to the Family Promise Resource Center where they receive assistance finding housing, work and social services they may need. The program is very effective: more than 70 percent of families admitted into Family Promise affiliates nationwide finding housing in about two months.

Family Promise of San Gabriel Valley’s office is located at 1005 E. Las Tunas Dr. #525, San Gabriel CA 91776. Their phone number is 626-569-0991.