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MHALA Gala to Honor Mental Health Advocate Patti LaPlace
Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) is honoring the career of California State University, Long Beach’s (CSULB’s) Patti LaPlace at its fifth Under the Toque gala and auction.
After a three-year hiatus, MHALA’s charity fundraiser returns on Monday, November 6, from 5 to 9 pm at the Courtyard by Marriott Long Beach Downtown. The nonprofit’s signature event raises funds and awareness to help support individuals throughout Los Angeles County living with mental health needs.
Esteemed chefs from throughout Los Angeles County will prepare a decadent five-course meal of their design for the 120 guests in attendance. Chefs for the evening include Leonel De Leon of the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel and James McIver of The Westin Los Angeles Airport. The evening also features silent and live auctions offering a curated selection of trips, items, and memorable experiences.
Under the Toque helps raise critical dollars to support transformational change for Los Angeles County’s most underserved communities.
“We are thrilled to have our Under the Toque gala return this year,” said Dr. Christina Miller, president and CEO of MHALA. “We look forward to reconnecting with many of our community supporters who help us ensure the people we serve get the support they need to thrive. This is an especially appropriate time to honor Patti LaPlace, who has helped so many through her excellent work in our mental health community.”
LaPlace has spent more than 30 years working in the mental health field, including at the City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. She is currently executive director of CSULB’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and a lecturer at the university’s College of Health and Human Services.
Sponsors for this year’s Under the Toque include Farmers & Merchants Bank, Century Housing, Marsh McLennan Agency, CSULB, Long Beach Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Patterson Construction, and SullivanCurtisMonroe.
Learn more at www.mhala.org/utt.