Sunday, December 8, 2013 MERCI will host its 24th annual “Trees of Enchantment” fundraiser at Luminarias Restaurant, 3500 Ramona Blvd., Monterey Park. The champagne brunch starts at 11:00 A.M. Tickets are $60 each or $40 for children 5-12, if purchased in advance. Children under the age of 5 eat free. Tickets can be purchased online at http://merci.givezooks.com/events/2013-trees-of-enchantment.

Tickets purchased at the door are $70 each or $50 for children 5-12. Make sure that you turn in your ticket stub at the door because there are door prizes. Plan now to attend.

This annual brunch is an exciting way to start the holiday season because in addition to the delicious food, there will be a boutique where attendees can purchase craft items. Attendees can purchase tickets to win one or more of the 25 beautifully decorated trees with gifts under them worth at least $200. Santa Claus will also be attending the event. Attendees can get their photo taken with the “big guy.” In addition there will be entertainment and recognition of the major donors to MERCI’s building campaign.

A group of parents of children with developmental disabilities from the San Gabriel

Valley and East Los Angeles formed MERCI in 1955 as a school because at that time there were no educational options for their children. In 1962 MERCI moved into the 525 N. Chandler Avenue site, which had been built in 1919. Over the years MERCI has moved into supporting adults with day programs and adults in residential homes. MERCI presently serves 111 adults with developmental disabilities from all over the San Gabriel Valley in five programs and in a residential home. It is estimated that there are 8,000 children and adults in this area alone who could benefit from the programs if there were more space.

MERCI is working on constructing three new buildings at the 525 Chandler site. Planning for the construction of the new buildings started in 2006 with the award of $829,000 of federal HUD funds administered by the City of Monterey Park. John and Mary’s Place for six clients was completed in May. Construction has stopped on the new classroom and administration buildings because MERCI needs to raise an additional $500,000 to qualify for the loans to complete the buildings. Through donations from the Beth and Wilbur Woo Foundation, the Ahmanson Foundation, CDBG funds administered by the City of Monterey Park of $42,150 and individual donations, MERCI has raised $200,000 with $300,000 to go. MERCI will recognize all donations, but donations of $10,000 or more will have rooms named in honor of the individual, organization or business. With donations of $100,000 or more, an individual, business or organization will have building naming rights for one of the two buildings being constructed. A portion of the funds from “Trees of Enchantment” will go toward the building fund. Donations can be mailed to MERCI, P.O. Box 676, Monterey Park, CA 91754 or potential donors can visit MERCI’s website at http://www.merci.org and make a donation online. Donations to MERCI are tax deductible, as MERCI is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. For more information contact Executive Director Marta Escañuelas at (626) 289-8817 or E-mail her at martaesc1@verizon.net.