Woman’s Club Doles Out $32K to 30 Nonprofits

Gratitude and joy filled the Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club clubhouse on Haverford Ave. on Tuesday, March 4, as the PPWC handed out $32,000 in grants to 30 local nonprofit organizations.

Since 2000, the club has awarded more than $1 million in grants to help fund projects that benefit the Palisades.

Heather Gilhooly, PPWC project selection co-chair, said, “This event is so thrilling because it’s all about community. We raise money in the community then give the money back to nonprofits in the community, which in turn make the community better.”

For some of the recipients, the grants really make a difference in their ability to serve the Palisades community. Brad Lusk and Dr. Andy Frew, founders of Movies in the Park, admitted that the grant money from the PPWC has been critical in keeping the popular summer movie series, now in its 11th year, afloat.

“We were down to wondering if our projector and screen would hold up,” Lusk said. “Our new projector and screen are all thanks to the grants we’ve received.”

Leslie Pereira, founder of Pali Bee, said, “We have to pay our costs in advance, so this grant allows us to put on the Spelling Bee the following year and helps us keep the registration costs low.”

PPWC president Kristin Sibson welcomed the honorees and described the evening as one of the happiest nights of the year.

“I am always impressed by the many organizations so dedicated to making our town special. The proceeds from this year’s Home Tour & Boutique will not only support the 30 grant groups, but will also help to underwrite the cost of repairing the Clubhouse for the membership and the community to use for years to come.”

Sibson also used the gathering to announce the launch of a new program in partnership with the Palisades-Malibu YMCA Center for Social Responsibility. This online calendar features upcoming volunteer opportunities from local nonprofits, including many of the evening’s grant recipients. Online users can sign up to volunteer with a click of the mouse, making it easier than ever to get involved and give back to our community. (See more on this in the Pali Life section.)

On this special evening, grants were made to applicants in one of four areas:

Beautification

Pacific Palisades Garden Club will continue the rehabilitation of the Native Plant Garden. Palisades Beautiful will purchase a portable greenhouse for the garden project at Temescal Academy. Palisades Village Green Committee will have three overgrown Tipu trees trimmed for safety, health and beautification.

Education

Palisades Charter Schools Foundation will co-sponsor the “Innovations Grant” program. Palisades High School Booster Club will help underwrite the cost of a College Center staff member. Palisades Enrichment Program (PEP) will support the art program at Pali Elementary.  Friends of Marquez will support the music enrichment program for 1st and 2nd graders. PRIDE Booster Club (Paul Revere) will support music education at Paul Revere Middle School.  Canyon Charter School Booster Club will help underwrite the staffing and materials costs to support the drama program. Pali Bee will use the grant for rental costs, trophies and supplies for the 2015 Palisades Spelling Bee.

Arts & Recreation

Boy Scouts of America, Camp Josepho will purchase new hospitality chairs for dining and conference seating. Movies in the Park will upgrade audio equipment. Palisades Symphony will fund the seven concerts for the year. Palisades-Malibu YMCA will sponsor a full year of youth sports program costs. SHARQ: An Art Space will hold a photography exhibit. Theatre Palisades will purchase new stage curtains, which have not been replaced in 25 years. Will Rogers Ranch Foundation will screen a Will Rogers movie at Will Rogers Historic Park on Aug. 15 this year.

Community & Charitable Organizations

Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles will help fund STEM program supplies for Palisades area troop members. Hoof Prints to Freedom will resurface the work/riding arena to minimize hoof injuries and reduce dust inhalation. LA Parks Foundation/Rustic Canyon Recreation Center will complete the tennis court refurbishment project. La Señora Research Institute will partially fund the restoration of the John Byers adobe wall structure surrounding the Pasqual Marquez Family Cemetery. Meals on Wheels will cover the meal costs for one year for one homebound Palisades resident. Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce will support the annual fall Village Fair event. Streetwise Media will further implement the “In One Instant” driving safety program at PaliHi.

The Erika Whitmore Godwin Foundation (griefHaven) will provide monthly, community-wide grief drop-in groups, scholarships for ongoing grief support groups for two couples and 30 “Packets of Hope.” The Kris Kelly Foundation will save five stray animals and provide spay/neuter, shots and micro-chipping. Voice for the Animals will support the elderly companion animal rescue, rehabilitation and adoption program, covering spay/neuter, vaccination, food and board.

Young Angels of America will purchase production equipment for the “Global Grounds Coffee House” weekly open mic program. Palisades Americanism Parade Association (PAPA) will maintain, upgrade and expand the online methods for parade visibility, administration and fundraising to reduce costs. Palisades Cares will install a “Little Free Library” at 16646 Bienveneda Place.