Our Mission
The mission of Special Children’s League, South Bay Committee is to
support, educate and reach out to our community regarding the needs
of individuals with developmental disabilities including cerebral palsy and autism.
Our goal is to lift the lives and spirits of those affected, through education
in the local community and as a team member of Momentum.
Our History
Special Children’s League (SCL), South Bay Committee began in 1957 with a small group of women who came together to support a friend whose child had cerebral palsy. Today our active membership of nearly forty includes several moms of children with special needs. SCL is a committed group of women united by our desire to help others.
SCL is proud to have many long-standing traditions. The original SCL “bazaars”, as they were called, featured members’ handmade crafts and goods. We continue this tradition with our signature SCL mustard sauce and olallieberry jam, along with other homemade products.
Established as an auxiliary group of Momentum (formerly United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles), Special Children’s League, Inc. includes our South Bay Committee, Whittier Committee, and Foothill Committee, and also shares a liaison with Psi Delta Sigma, Inc. Our partnership with Momentum has remained steadfast for over 60 years. We are also pleased to support a variety of organizations in our local community. Click here to see the programs SCL supports.
It is due to the generous support of those who attend our annual benefit, make donations and are sponsors that allows Special Children’s League to continue to thrive and make a difference in the lives of children and adults with special needs.
Our Executive Board
Paula Boothe - President
Suzan Fairchild - Vice President (Ways and Means)
Julie Nelson - Treasurer
Sandy Fisler - Communications Secretary
Jill Weisinger - Financial Secretary
Michele Dahlerbruch - Hospitality
Stephanie Goodman - Membership
Merin Dahlerbruch - Public Relations/Historian
Pat Skelton - Recording Secretary
Joyce Komatsu - Parliamentarian
Julie Paterson - Advisor
Our Committee Chairs
Marlen Sanchez & Mary Lynn Webster - Fall Benefit Co-Chairs
Holly Vanderdonck - Coordinating Council
Jann Feldman - Education Grants Chair
Karen Hunt - Philanthropy Chair
Linda Igo - Provisional Chair
Suzanne Durnell, Kristin Kudrave & Julie Paterson - Spring Boutique Co-Chairs
Barb Dancy - Technology Chair
Our Past Presidents
Mrs. Charles H. Holmes - 1957-1959
Mrs. Hal W. Gregory - 1959-1960
Mrs. Charles J. J. Cox - 1960-1961
Mrs. Gerald S. Honey - 1961-1962
Mrs. J. Terry Siler - 1962-1963
Mrs. Joseph J. Ventura - 1963-1964
Mrs. Charles J. J. Cox - 1964-1965
Mrs. James W. Lafferty - 1965-1966
Mrs. Gerald S. Honey - 1966-1968
Mrs. Rickard G. Bredesen - 1968-1970
Mrs. Thomas A. Spear - 1970-1972
Mrs. Lawrence A. Bayer - 1972-1974
Mrs. Park Densmore - 1974-1976
Mrs. Jack D. Cox - 1976-1978
Mrs. John L. McCoy - 1978-1980
Mrs. Jack D. Cox - 1980-1981
Mrs. Joseph Schuchert - 1981-1983
Mrs. William E. Denny - 1983-1984
Mrs. James L. Saunders - 1984-1986
Mrs. Joseph Schuchert - 1986-1988
Mrs. John McCoy - 1988-1989
Mrs. Dale Yates - 1989-1991
Mrs. William Mahan - 1991-1992
Mrs. William B. Hill - 1992-1993
Mrs. Park Densmore - 1993-1995
Mrs. William Sellers - 1995-1996
Mrs. Joseph Schuchert - 1996-1998
Mrs. John Merlo - 1998-1999
Mrs. James E. McBride - 1999-2001
Mrs. Terrance Fredricks - 2001-2003
Mrs. Donald Curtin - 2003-2005
Laura Priest - 2005-2006
Janice Farran - 2006-2008
Nancy McBride - 2008-2009
Linda Igo - 2009-2011
Ann Cooper - 2011-2012
Mary Curtin - 2012-2014
Janice Robinson - 2014-2016
Joyce Komatsu - 2016-2018
Michele Dahlerbruch - 2018-2020
Julie Paterson - 2020-2022
Paula Boothe - 2022-2023