Las Candalistas, Inc.

About Us

In 1967, an enterprising group of women formed a nonprofit auxiliary to help raise funds for the Child Guidance Clinic of the South Bay Children’s Health Center in Torrance, California. Because our original fundraising effort was selling beeswax candles, it was decided to call the group Las Candalistas — “The Candle Lighters.” Committed to supporting children and the environment in the South Bay community, the group quickly moved beyond selling candles. The name, Las Candalistas, took on a new meaning as we became leaders in community service — expanding our fundraising activities and the philanthropies we serve. Las Candalistas continued success led the group to incorporate as an independent nonprofit organization in 1989. We now support 10 philanthropies each season. Since our inception, we have donated millions of dollars to to philanthropies focused on children and the environment in the Los Angeles South Bay community.

Not only are our members dedicated to benefiting the South Bay community, but we are also committed to each other. We are a ‘family’ of members and develop lifelong friendships.