The happiest scene in Pacific Palisades every year comes when the Woman’s Club hands out grants to various nonprofit groups during a ceremony at the clubhouse on Harverford.
This year, on March 5, the philanthropic organization (established 87 years ago) donated $63,000 to 39 groups after receiving a record number of applicants.
“We live in this little community and I had no idea there were so many 501(c) 3 groups here,” said Woman’s Club project selection co-chair Heather Gilhooly before the ceremony.
Added co-chair Melissa Anna, “We gave something to everyone who met the guidelines.”
Club president Trisha Grossman welcomed the honorees and noted that the grant money came from the club’s annual Holiday Home Tour and Boutique. She thanked all the sponsors and the residents who supported the fundraiser.
In order to be considered for a grant, an organization must have 501(c) 3 status, provide goods or services within the Palisades community, and help preserve the quality of life in the Palisades.
Grants were made to applicants in one of four areas:
BEAUTIFICATION. Palisades Garden Club will purchase plants to help rehabilitate the parkland on either side of Temescal Canyon Road. Palisades Beautiful will fund a tree task force that will examine the state of parkway trees in the community. Palisades PRIDE will refurbish the light-pole planters in the Village. Palisades Village Green Committee will remove, refurbish and reinstall benches. Sunset Beach Partners will continue developing a plan to beautify the pavement triangle at Sunset Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway.
EDUCATION. The Palisades Charter School Foundation will continue to promote collaboration between the public elementary schools and the middle and high schools. Palisades High School Booster Club will direct its grant to the college center. “This will help us keep the doors open and the lights on,” said college counselor Helene Kunkel. Palisades Elementary (PEP) will use the funds to support Art Cadre and Art Matters. Friends of Marquez will use their grant to pay for a music program for first and second grade. “We do a lot of fundraising to support all of the programs that have been cut,” said FOM co-president Sara Margiotta. Paul Revere School (P.R.I.D.E.) will purchase music stands and sheet music. Canyon Charter School will support art enrichment. The Pali Bee, which organized the town’s second annual spelling bee in February, will use the money for rental space, trophies and supplies.
ARTS and RECREATION. Boy Scouts (Crescent Bay District) will improve energy conservation measures at Camp Josepho. Chamber Music Palisades will support a concert at Revere and at PaliHi.. Movies in the Park co-founder Dave Williams said, “Thanks to you we were able to purchase a new projector and without you I don’t know if we’d be able to continue the series.” Palisades Symphony Orchestra will buy a drum set that will also be used by Pali students and the orchestra. Palisades-Malibu YMCA will underwrite youth sports in order to keep fees affordable. Pacific Palisades Lacrosse Association will pay for an after-school coach at Revere Middle School. SHARQ: An Art Space, which promotes artistic exchange between the Middle East and the United States, will host a photography exhibit by a Moroccan artist. Santa Monica Pier Aquarium received a grant to host storytime at the Palisades library and expand into three elementary schools.
COMMUNITY and CHARITABLE GROUPS. A Window Between Worlds will bring art workshops to women victims of domestic violence in the Palisades. Aldersgate Retreat Center will underwrite the cost of hosting meetings of local nonprofits on a first-come first-served basis. Chamber of Commerce will help underwrite the annual fall Village Fair.
PAPA (Palisades Americanism Parade Association) will hire a part-time person to work on social media. “We encourage all of your groups to enter a float in the parade this year,” said PAPA President Rob Weber. Palisades Cares will promote organic gardening and healthy eating. Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association will purchase and install a tree map in the historic grove planted by Abbot Kinney. The Erika Whitmore Godwin Foundation will provide grief specialists for the parents and siblings of those who have lost a child or sister/brother.“We’re going to help so many people with this money,” said griefHaven founder Susan Whitmore, who started the nonprofit after the death of her daughter.
Streetwise Media will support the “In One Instant” teen driving program with training fees and Web site and interactive program development. Young Angels of America will purchase a new computer. Cancer Support Community will support the Palisades High students who have cancer with weekly meetings and family support. The Girl Scout of Greater Los Angeles grant will be used to support STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs. LA Señora Research Institute will fund one youth concert featuring students from the Colburn School.
WISE & Healthy Aging will fund individual annual memberships for Palisades seniors, and Meals on Wheels will underwrite the cost of meals for one senior for one year. Hoof Prints to Freedom will continue providing care for abandoned or neglected horses at Will Rogers Park. The Kris Kelly Foundation will pay to neuter 15 stray cats or dogs. The Nature of Wildworks, based in Topanga, will take animals (non-releasable, indigenous) to local elementary schools. Voice for the Animals will continue rescue old and infirm animals and place them in foster homes.
“This has been amazing to see,” Gilhooly said. “This has opened up my eyes to all of the organizations in this community that benefit animals, children, families and services. The beauty in this community I realize now is the responsibility of some of these groups.”
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