Islanders among well-wishers for Liberman-Jones retirement

Barbra Lieberman-Jones Retirement Party at Thai on Main in Seal Beach, May 9, 2018. Courtesy photo

A number of residents from Catalina Island were in Seal Beach this week to celebrate the retirement of Barbara Lieberman-Jones, who for more than a decade raised an extraordinary amount of money to expand the Children’s Dental Health Clinic.

One of the crowning achievements during her tenure as Development Director was raising more than $1 million to replace the existing dental trailer with a state of the art dental clinic on Catalina Island.

Liberman-Jones met Patty Ann McKinnon, sometimes referred to the “Angel of Avalon,” who was the lead donor for the establishment of the clinic that is on the Island today.

Located next to Avalon School, the clinic treats low to moderate income children

Just a few weeks ago, the board and donors of the clinic held its 30th Anniversary on Catalina Island.

The Children’s Dental Health Clinic itself was founded 85 years ago but began its efforts on Catalina Island 30 years ago.

Former Mayor Ralph Morrow, who was also instrumental in the establishment of the dental clinic on the island, was among the Islander’s at the luncheon.

Many of those attending, including the staff and management thanked Liberman-Jones for her diligence over the past decade.

Dr. John L. Blake, executive Director of the Children’s Dental Health Clinic, thanked her for raising as much as 50 percent of the budget over the years.

“You have made a big, big difference,” he said.

“Thank all of you very much,” she said.

“I am going on to the next chapter of my life but I am not disappearing,” said Liberman-Jones