The Santa Monica Pacific Palisades Lions Club was happy to announce their community support grant recipients this past month. Each year we are proud to be to join with nonprofit partners that develop creative ideas to meet the ever-changing needs of the people they serve. Here are the projects we are happy to support this year.
Following the pandemic it has been hard to re-engage some seniors within the community, which is important for their mental and physical health. The Santa Monica YMCA has taken on this challenge by creating a welcoming place and providing a variety of activities to appeal to everyone, from board games, puzzles and books, to a Movie Club and health workshops. Keep checking their website for additional activities.
Step Up On Second continues to build on their food and nutrition program, meeting increased need at their four food pantry services are strategically located in Santa Monica, Hollywood, West LA Veteran Affairs Campus, and their dedicated drop-in center for young adults in Los Angeles. They have created many programs targeted to help unhoused individuals and families.
Education continues to be a priority for Lions. We supported two Santa Monica High School scholarships and one for Santa Monica College. After hours of reviewing 12 remarkable applicants, the two SAMO students we selected were Kara Best and Julian Bao, both with visions of how they can help create a brighter future. Kara’s passion for political change and Julian’s dedication to medical research will have considerable impact in their chosen fields. The Dot Gelvin SM college recipient we recognized was Maxwell Bull, whose strength and determination to attended college was inspiring and clear indication of his ability to be successful in medicine.
The Lion’s project we chose to support is Lion’s Camp Teresita Pines in Idyllwild, with a mission of providing “a beautiful mountain facility for group camping, emphasizing the needs of the disabled.” Originally founded in 1929 as a Catholic girls camp, the Lions Clubs purchased it in 1995 and began updating and renovating the cabins, dining halls and pathways making our camp ADA accessible and allowing camp to be accessible to all regardless of disabilities.
It is because of the support we received from the Westside community we can provide funding for these projects. Thank you to everyone who supported our 100th Gala and is looking forward to our Pancake Breakfast returning this fall.
If you are looking for new ways to become a part of the Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades communities, come join us for a meeting as we plan our future fundraiser, social and volunteer events. Our next dinner meeting is Wednesday, July 10th, when we will be installing new officers and inducting new members. The meeting will be at 6pm at the SM Elks Lodge. If you want to become a part of the exciting year ahead, please contact Kingsley at 310-454-2960. You can also learn more about us from our website.
Susan DeRemer
