Westside Center for Independent Living Holds Fundraiser to See Bolshoi Ballet's SWAN LAKE, 6/8

The Associates of the Westside Center for Independent Living (WCIL) will present a fundraising event to see The Bolshoi Ballet, last seen in Los Angeles 20 years ago, for a performance of "Swan Lake" to be presented at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Music Center on Friday, June 8, 2012. Event tickets will include VIP seating, and food and beverages served to guests at the Beverly Hills Tennis Club; 340 North Maple Drive; Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Singer and keyboardist Aalon will perform during the initial part of the event at the Beverly Hills Tennis Club.

Ruth Kraft, Chairperson of The WCIL Associates Steering Committee said: "The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Beverly Hills Tennis Club, where wine and hearty Hors D'oeuvres will be served. At 6:00 p.m. private buses hired for the event will transport guests to and from the Beverly Hills Tennis Club to the performance at the Music Center. Convenient parking will be available at the Tennis Club. The performance will commence at 7:30 p.m. with seating in The Founders Circle. During intermission, complimentary wine, cheese and fruit will be served in The Founders Room in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion."

Tickets for the event are $275 each. Reservations may be made by calling Jenn Steip in the WCIL office at 310-568-0107, ext. 25. Payments can be made via MasterCard, VISA, AmEx or via checks payable to WCIL. Interested event attendees are requested to RSVP by June 1, 2012. Early reservations are encouraged, as seating is limited. To learn more about WCIL, visit www.wcil.org.

The WCIL Associates, founded in 1981 by Helen Levin, Betty Deutsch and Louise Escoe, are a group of philanthropic community members who are dedicated to the cause of independent living for seniors and people with disabilities. In support of this mission, Associate members use their skills to educate and develop community advocates, support WCIL programs membership development, provide volunteer services and present fundraising events.

The WCIL Associates Steering Committee is chaired by Ruth Kraft. Suzie Levin Corben serves as Honorary Chairperson. Other members of the Steering Committee include: Betty Deutsch, Louise Escoe, Marjorie Fasman, LaVetta Forbes, Barbara Gordon, Trudy Kallis, Jean Katz, Ruth March, Marcia Solomon, Dorothy Straus, Dascha Auerbach Stuart, Ruth Tober and Phyllis Wiseman.

Established in 1976, the Westside Center for Independent Living is a non-residential center dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people with all kinds of disabilities. The goal of the peer-led programs and services is the elimination of economic, social, attitudinal and environmental barriers.

More than 70 percent of WCIL's active staff members are people with disabilities. Each has a unique commitment to assist others with disabilities. Their understanding guidance and support give other individuals with disabilities the confidence to reach out toward their own independence using WCIL's programs and services. WCIL's geographic service area runs from Malibu, including the Westside of Los Angeles, and down the coast to San Pedro and includes West Hollywood down to Carson with three Westside sites, Mar Vista, Santa Monica and Redondo Beach. WCIL's vision is that people with disabilities will have the same opportunities in life as people without disabilities. A disability need not be disabling.