TALA HOLIDAY PARTY

TALA and California Fashion Foundation Host Holiday Party for Local Children

WHO: Textile Association of Los Angeles and California Fashion Foundation

WHAT: 60th annual holiday party for local children

WHERE: Cooper Design Space, Los Angeles

WHEN: December 12

The top floor of the Cooper Design Space was filled with traditional Christmas cheer on Dec. 12 for 150 inner-city children at the 60th annual holiday party, hosted by the Textile Association of Los Angeles (TALA) and the California Fashion Foundation (CFF), the philanthropic arm of the California Fashion Association (CFA).

The guests of honor were boys and girls from four after-school centers and nonprofits, including the Boys & Girls Club of East Los Angeles, Los Angeles Boys & Girls Club, Para Los Ninos and Dolores Huerta Elementary School.

Gifts, decorative ornaments, themed piñatas, Christmas trees and lights were donated by Cooper Design Space and California Market Center showrooms. Healthy snacks and goodies were provided by Market restaurant, which is located on the first floor of the Cooper building.

The event is volunteer-based and allows members of the fashion industry to contribute to the community. “I am happy to be here, interacting and supporting our community. It is an honor to be a part of [this event],” said Steve Hirsh, owner of the Cooper Design Space.

The festivities also honored the late Hal Kaltman, former president of TALA and longtime member of the apparel and textile community who was an integral figure in the annual Christmas party, as well as countless charitable and philanthropic events.

“One of the best things TALA has done charitably is to put on the Christmas party for underprivileged children," said Ann Davis, TALA member and former president of the group. “Hal was the greatest promoter of this event, and it was always his special joy to put it on. We are doing it in honor of him.”

The TALA Christmas party is an honored tradition for many in the apparel industry. “For many years [TALA] created a Christmas event for the children of downtown,” CFA Executive Director Ilse Metchek said, adding that the event has expanded from 25 children at the beginning to the larger party it is today. “The need for this kind of celebration expanded over the years.”

In the spacious penthouse, the children were greeted by a friendly, rosy-cheeked Santa Claus, as well as Radio Disney deejays, who provided the holiday and pop tunes. Neighboring Roosevelt High School sent its Latin Jazz Group ensemble to serenade the children as they played with toys and crayons. Seven-year-old Charlene Gonzalez of the Boys & Girls Club of East Los Angeles said, “It is fun, and we get to gather around all of our friends. We [also] get to color and see Santa Claus.”

Para Los Ninos President and Chief Executive Officer Martine Singer was equally elated. “This is our first year here, but we have been in downtown for about 32 years. We started as a daycare for children who were living in shelters and the missions, but over the last 30 years we have grown into a $22 million agency. One-third of our business is [based on] charter schools, so the [kindergarten through] second-grade kids here go to a school on Seventh and Alameda [streets] . We also provide social services for local families.”