Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club Distributes Funds at Annual Grant Awards Night

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Representatives from area nonprofit community organizations gathered on the evening of Tuesday, June 4, at Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club for the annual Grant Awards Night, where the 2024 grant recipients were revealed and congratulated.

“Through various fundraising endeavors, the PPWC members raise funds which are then awarded to a variety of nonprofit community organizations in the Palisades,” according to the event program. “Each year the grant fund distribution is decided upon by PPWC members. Each member of the club has an impact on our community via her vote.”

Local organizations have been awarded over $1 million in grants from PPWC over the decades. The three major fundraisers in 2023 were a snack bar at The Genesis Invitational at The Riviera Country Club, a silent auction and art show at Bruce Lurie Gallery, and the annual Holiday Gift Bazaar and Bake Sale.

PPWC President Samantha Dale spoke during the awards night, noting that the funds raised in 2023 “almost doubled” the year prior. She explained how the grants committee “diligently” thought about how to distribute the funds.

“Our teams were creative, thoughtful, and incredibly diligent in the execution of our fundraisers this past year,” Dale told the Palisadian-Post. “I am very proud of them, and happy to be able to support more organizations this year.”

Dale was joined at the podium by grant committee member Eve Haberfield, and the two read through the list of recipients, who rose from their chairs to applause.

When it comes to grants that will support local schools, Canyon School Booster Club, Friends of Marquez, Pali Quarterback Club, Palisades Charter High School, Palisades Enrichment Programs, Palisades High School Booster Club and PRIDE Booster Club were this year’s recipients. Grants will support initiatives like providing financial aid for the Paul Revere Charter Middle School robotics club and medical supplies for the Palisades Charter High School football program.

A Call 2 Peace Foundation, Chamber Music Palisades and Los Angeles Youth Orchestra were awarded grants to assist with musical initiatives, including funding a family-oriented concert in the Palisades.

Palisades Americanism Parade Association received a grant to support kids games and evening events for the Fourth of July, while Boy Scouts of America will use its grant to purchase “Excellence in Service” patches.

Cancer Support Community Los Angeles and griefHaven (run by Palisadian Susan Whitmore) will use grant funds to provide support for cancer and grief groups, respectively. Veterans Gardens will be able to provide updates to its park, while Palisades Village Green will pay for the trimming of its Tipu trees.

Meals on Wheels West and YMCA Palisades-Malibu each received grants to help feed community members. Other grant recipients include Malibu Orchid Society, Resilient Palisades, Sage & Seekers, The Mission I’m Possible: Foster Warriors, The People Concern, Voice for the Animals Foundation and Will Rogers Ranch Foundation.

“The Pacific Palisades Woman’s Club is a nonprofit organization that brings together energetic and socially minded women in friendship to serve others and our community through their philanthropic endeavors and to preserve the clubhouse facility of the enjoyment of the community for generations to come,” the program read.

This year’s grant committee included Maureen Roth, Haberfield, Margaux Glaser, Kat Holland and Sue Denness.

In a typical year, the club organizes and hosts the annual 90-year-plus birthday party for residents, a free flu shot clinic and a Red Cross blood drive.