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Swag bags await distribution at fifth annual Lunafest.

Fifth Annual ‘Lunafest’ Benefits Zonta Club Of Santa Clarita Valley Foundation

The fifth annual “Lunafest,” hosted by the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley, attracted more than 250 women to the Canyon Theatre Guild in downtown Newhall to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Fund and philanthropic work by the Zonta Club Foundation of SCV.

Guests sign in for the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley's "Lunafest" at the Canyon Theatre Guild. Photo by Michele E. Buttelman.

Guests sign in for the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley’s “Lunafest” at the Canyon Theatre Guild. Photo by Michele E. Buttelman.

The event held Thursday, March 5, featured admission to the film screening of short films by, for and about women, and a pre-screening reception.

Judy Penman and Norma Cardenas served as Lunafest chairwomen.

Zonta Club of SCV President Karen Maleck-Whiteley said the club’s “Lunafest” fundraiser benefits the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley Foundation.

“Our foundation benefits many organizations in the Santa Clarita Valley and beyond that that help women,” she said.

The centerpiece of the event was a screening of eight short films by women filmmakers.

Co-chair Penman said this year’s “Lunafest” was held over two nights with the Wednesday, March 4 event held to benefit the Saugus High School Z Club.

Zonta Club of Santa Clairta Valley President Karen Maleck-Whiteley and Zonta member Cherise Moore.

Zonta Club of Santa Clairta Valley President Karen Maleck-Whiteley and Zonta member Cherise Moore.

The Saugus Z Club is the first local Z Club and was recently chartered by the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley.

Z Clubs are high school affiliates of Zonta International that are established to expose students to strong mentors and advocate for improving the opportunities available to women and girls.

“The money raised by the students at their ‘Lunafest’ event will be used to host a women’s conference in April,’ Penman said. “There were students attending from all the SCV high schools.”


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Co-chair Cardenas said “Lunafest” increases awareness of women’s issues.

Left to right, Zonta member Beth Heiserman, "Lunafest" co-chairwomen Norma Cardenas and Judy Penman. Photo by Michele E. Buttelman.

Left to right, Zonta member Beth Heiserman, “Lunafest” co-chairwomen Norma Cardenas and Judy Penman. Photo by Michele E. Buttelman.

“There are so many issues that afflict women around the world,” she said. “We need to be more aware and this is a fun, educational way of making women aware.”

“Lunafest” was established in 2000 by Luna, the makers of a nutrition bar for women, to promote women filmmakers, raise awareness for women’s issues and support women’s nonprofit organizations throughout the United States and Canada. The traveling film festival is used by nonprofit organizations as a “fundraiser-in-a-box.”

The event has grown to include more than 150 communities nationwide with 100 percent of the proceeds donated to charity.

The Breast Cancer Fund will receive 15 percent from event proceeds with the rest benefiting the programs of the Zonta Club Foundation of SCV.

Guests line up for dinner prior to the film screening at "Lunafest." Photo by Michele E. Buttelman

Guests line up for dinner prior to the film screening at “Lunafest.” Photo by Michele E. Buttelman

Programs of the Zonta Club Foundation of SCV include: Girls Robotics program, LifeForward workshops and the Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program. Annual grants include: Virginia Wrage Grant, which provides funds to women who are experiencing a life altering change in their life; Community Service Grants allocated through a competitive application process, and provide financial support to SCV agencies and organizations that support Zonta’s mission. Among those nonprofits are Single Mother’s Outreach, Boys and Girls Club of SCV, Domestic Violence Center of SCV, Santa Clarita Child and Family Center, SCV Food Pantry, Circle of Hope, SCV Committee on Aging, Carousel Ranch and the SCV Youth Project. Annual scholarships include Young Women in Public Affairs and the Klausman Women in Business scholarships.

Guests to “Lunafest” viewed eight short films, from around the world, which included: “Tryouts,” “Tits,” “Chica’s Day,” “Lady Parts,” “Miss Todd,” “Flor De Toloache,” “A Good Match” and “Viva.”

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The 2015 collection of films featured a documentary about a female mariachi band, a film about a Muslim-American

Judy Penman and Karen Maleck_Whiteley educate guests about the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley. Photo by Michele E. Buttelman.

Judy Penman and Karen Maleck-Whiteley educate guests about the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley. Photo by Michele E. Buttelman.

girl who wants to be on her high school cheerleading squad, a documentary about “the grandmother of punk rock” in Cornwall, England, a documentary about an automotive repair shop owned by a woman and also included two animated films. Each filmmaker included in “Lunafest” receives a $1,000 award.

City Councilman TimBen Boydston, executive director of the Canyon Theatre Guild, said the Guild was pleased to host the fundraiser.

“We are thrilled to be able sponsor this event,” said Boydston. “This is the type of event the Canyon Theatre Guild was built for, for the community.”

Maleck-Whiteley and Penman made a short presentation about the work of the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley and Zonta International before the film screening began.

"Lunafest" co-chairwomen Judy Penman and Norma Cardenas work the raffle to raise funds for the Zonta Club of SCV Foundation. Photo by Michele E. Buttelman.

“Lunafest” co-chairwomen Judy Penman and Norma Cardenas work the raffle to raise funds for the Zonta Club of SCV Foundation. Photo by Michele E. Buttelman.

After an intermission that featured mini cupcakes made by Beth Heiserman of Reyes Winery, a fundraising raffle was held.

At the end of the evening each attendee left with a swag bag of goodies that included discounts and gift items from businesses throughout the SCV.

Sponsors of the Zonta Club of SCV’s “Lunafest” included Reyes Winery, Whitening Lighting, Householder Group, La Curcio Skincare, Paul Mitchell, Milena and Michael Berger in memory of Michael’s mother, In Honor of Robbie Heinzman, KHTS AM 1220 hometownstation.com, Magazine of Santa Clarita, Cobalt Realty, Balance Point Spa, DeSesa Chiropractic, Canyon Theatre Guild, Newhall Refinery, Laura Peckham, CPA, Audiology Associates, Ruby Ribbon, Le Chene French Cuisine, Sue Hayward, Beth Heiserman, Barbara Cochran, Darleen Lyons, Stephen Hemmert Wines and Soundsations. Other donors included: Capital Office Products, Earthwise Vitamins, Fred Gruchella Photography, Jorja Harris Farmers Insurance, Pucella Winery, Sally Van Swearingen, Stone Fire Grill, Stater Brothers, The Vine Restaurant and Zony Gordon.

The Zonta Club of SCV is a member club of Zonta International, a global organization of executive and professional women working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. Zonta International claims 30,000 members belonging to more than 1,200 Zonta Clubs in 66 countries and geographic areas.

The Zonta Club of SCV hosts monthly meetings held the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m., at the Hilton Gardens Inn, on the Old Road in Valencia, on the corner of Magic Mountain Parkway.

For more information about the Zonta Club of SCV visit www.scvzonta.com.

For more information about “Lunafest” visit www.lunafest.org.

KHTS AM 1220 - Santa Clarita Radio

Fifth Annual ‘Lunafest’ Benefits Zonta Club Of Santa Clarita Valley Foundation

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About Michele Buttelman