It was an evening of thanks, not only from the grant winners, but also from members of the Junior Women’s Club, one of the most generous philanthropic organizations in Pacific Palisades, which awarded $62,267 to 34 organizations. Incoming president Diane Shimanovsky welcomed the awardees and introduced the co-chairs of the project selection committee, Jody Crabtree and Kendra LaSalle. ‘Thank you for all you do for the community,’ LaSalle told the audience before each organization was introduced and a check given March 1 at the Woman’s Club on Haverford. Award winners were allowed a brief acceptance speech. ’This is the Palisades version of the Academy Awards,’ said Village Books Owner Katie O’Laughlin, who accepted a check on behalf of Palisades Village Book Friends, and then thanked the Junior Women for the money, which will be used to support poetry readings and author appearances at her store. Four new organizations were awarded grants this year, including the Castellammare Mesa Homeowners Association, which received money to purchase plants to beautify the area along PCH from Gladstone’s to the Porto Marina bridge; Corpus Christi School, to pay for a community evening featuring Dr. Wendy Mogul, an internationally known clinical psychologist and author; Chamber of Commerce to support the annual Village Fair; and the Community Council to implement a Web site blog and training for the current Web master. Recipients were divided into four groups: arts and recreation, education, beautification and community and charitable organizations. PPJWC distributed $20,450 to arts and recreation, including the Palisades Art Association for their two art shows and speakers, funding two Chamber Music Palisades concerts at Palisades Elementary, Camp Josepho/Boy Scouts for 20 picnic tables, Will Rogers State Historic Park to help celebrate Will’s birthday in August with a free movie and refreshments. In accepting the check for Movies in the Park, co-founder Brad Lusk said, ‘We’re honored to be recognized by such a classy group. Last year when I took down your banner after the last movie in August I thought, ‘You’re the best.’ Not only do you walk the walk, you talk the talk.’ Phyllis Schlessinger, who accepted the grant for the OomPaPa (Continued on Page 5) Band told the Junior Women, ‘You’re our sole means of support. I invite people to get out their old band uniforms and join us. It’s our 36th year.’ The Junior Women also funded Palisades Symphony concerts, permanent outdoor play equipment for the Palisades-Malibu YMCA at Simon Meadow, and the Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center for the installation of a diving board. ‘We’re excited that we will have a diving program in the Palisades,’ said longtime fundraiser for the new pool at Palisades High School, Jeanne Goldsmith, who accepted the check. Charitable organizations sharing $19,352 included AARP to cover costs for a meeting space at the Woman’s Club and to publish its monthly newsletter; the Aldersgate Retreat to fund outdoor lighting in the garden area of the Buerge Chapel; Palisades Cares for continuation of its program to select, read and explore a book as a community; Kris Kelly Foundation to save animals in shelters and prepare them for adoption on Swarthmore on Sunday; and Young Angels of America to purchase media equipment used in fostering entrepreneurial philanthropy and service in teens. ’We’re not just cookies, crafts and camps; we’re robotics, too,’ said Lynn Mack-Costello, chair of the Palisades-Malibu service unit of the Girl Scouts, who will use the grant to fund science, technology, engineering and math programs and activities. The entire crew from Fire Station 69, including Smokey, the Dalmatian, received a huge round of applause as they received a check to purchase hand tools, a large air compressor and a fax machine. Meal on Wheels will receive funding to subsidize the meal costs for one year for one homebound Palisades individual; Flo Elfant, via the Chamber of Commerce, will be able to publish more disaster preparedness pamplets (distributed free to residents); and the Woman’s Club can replace its staircase and bring it up to code. In accepting for the Palisades Americanism Parade Association, president Ramis Sadrieh noted that the Fourth of July parade is the area’s largest and it takes $95,000 to cover expenses for the parade and fireworks. Five groups requesting grants in education will share $17,015. Nine-year-old Jacob Winthrop accepted the Palisades Elementary grant to update the school’s technology program. ‘The money will make our computer lab even better,’ he said. ‘Thank you for your support.’ ’We are the glue that holds the K-12 schools in the Palisades Complex together,’ co-chair Eileen Savage said on receiving the Palisades Charter Schools Foundation donation. Accepting on behalf of the Palisades High School Booster Club was College Center counselor Helene Kunkel. ‘We work with the most amazing students,’ she said, noting that the grant will help fund office equipment, and allow counselors to attend conferences to stay current. Marquez Elementary will use funding towards salaries of three teachers to maintain class-size reduction and Paul Revere Middle School will fund computer software programs and Mac books for the computer lab. Beautification organizations shared $5,440, including the Garden Club for native plant purchase and planting in Temescal Canyon Park and Palisades P.R.I.D.E. to beautify the triangle cement median at the Sunset/Marquez intersection. Palisades Beautiful’s June Payne said Junior Women’s support over the years has allowed the organization to pay for and plant more than 700 parkway trees. Palisades Village Green Committee will use its grant to add additional sprinklers. ‘Come down and sit on the bench and enjoy the fountain,’ said committee president Marge Gold, who praised the Junior Women for also performing a service day with their families at the Green. Prior to the event, Crabtree told the Palisadian-Post that money was down this year ($74,350 in 2010 and $77,200 in 2009) because ‘Local businesses participated a little less than in previous years because of the economy.’ The Junior Women receive the majority of their money in November from tickets purchased for the home tour and a gift boutique. This year the club received 50 grant requests. ‘There were many with good causes, but we chose those that specifically impacted Palisades residents,’ Crabtree said. In order to be selected, a group must have a 501(c) 3 status, provide goods or services within the Palisades community, and most importantly, preserve the quality of life in the Palisades. Members voted on whether they wanted to support a particular project. If the vote was not unanimous, but some members still wanted to support a project, then a percentage of the money asked for was awarded. ‘There are so many differing opinions,’ Crabtree said. ‘This way everyone’s vote has a say.’
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