Local real estate agents Kendall Clark and Quincy Mugg of Coldwell Banker held their first annual needs drive, Saturday, June 11, benefitting Friendship Shelter and CSP Youth Shelter.
The two Laguna Beach organizations provided wish lists of needed items to Clark and Mugg. Neighbors from all over Laguna stopped by between 9-1 p.m., giving generously. Free coffee and South Swell donuts were given out to all attendees.
“The van was overflowing with donations. We literally couldn’t take any more by the end of the day. Every item on the wish list was granted. It was really heart warming,” said Mugg.
Homegrown Champ Enters the ‘Hall of Fame’
SchoolPower honored Mark Christy, owner of Hobie Surf Shop and managing partner at The Ranch at Laguna Beach, with the Hall of Fame award at its annual trustee dinner earlier this month.
“SchoolPower is only as successful as the passion and commitment of its donors,” said Marcus Skenderian, vice president of a SchoolPower, an education foundation that supports four local public schools.
Also known as “The Claes Award,” named after its first recipient, Claes Andersen, the award is given each year to an individual that has made a singular difference in the success of the organization, says a statement from Executive Director Robin Rounaghi.
She described Christy as a “homegrown champion for this community,” who supports schools he and his siblings attended.
Hobie purchased advertising in SchoolPower’s Student Directory as early as 1998 and Christy continues to actively bid for its prized cover spots while contributing auction items for fundraisers and this year underwriting a benefit golf tournament, 3 Clubs Barefoot Canyon Classic.
Vacation Bible School Opens
Children from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade are welcome to attend United Methodist Church’s free vacation week-long Bible school, which starts on Monday, June 27.
Hours are 9 a.m. to noon at the church, 21632 Wesley Dr. The “Catch the Wave of God’s Amazing Love” theme will play out in storytelling, crafts, science projects, games and music.
Register with Lauren Smith at [email protected].
Celebrate Greeter Mania
The Inaugural International Greeter Day takes place Saturday, June 25, and local resident Martin Yewchuk, producer of “The Greeter Documentary,” says he intends to recognize the current Laguna Beach greeter.
Yewchuk, who is behind the promotion, says at 10 a.m. he will bestow a certificate of appreciation on Michael Minutoli at the corner of Brooks Street and Coast Highway.
Greeter mania t-shirts will go to the first 25 participants. Others attending will be eligible to enter a drawing for a director’s cut DVD of Yewchuk’s documentary.
Impact Giving Reveals Awards
Women’s collective giving organization Impact Giving gave $125,000 to six non-profit organizations at their annual awards gala, Thursday, June 9. The event was attended by 150 philanthropists from the Orange County area.
Recipients, partners and donors celebrated the evening at an Irvine restaurant as each grantee received their surprise check.
Impact Giving aims to double its number to 300 women and attain a financial goal of giving their first $1 million by next June.
In the last seven years, the organization distributed $865,000 to a mix of local and global organizations. This year’s recipients included Give a Child Life, Voices for Children, Free Wheelchair Mission, Just in Time for Foster Youth, Families Forward and Indigenous Education Fund – Tanzania.
Club Leader Embarks on Leadership Summit
Pamela Estes, chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Club, has been selected to participate in a leadership development program at Harvard Business School.
The invitation-only program is designed for high performing Boys & Girls Club organizations, whose chief executives completed a rigorous application process. Participants will discuss solutions to organization-wide challenges.
Pantry Palooza Receives Generous Surprise
Laguna Food Pantry’s second annual Pantry Palooza fundraiser event was enriched by news of a generous extra donation, a matching offer from the William and Sue Gross Family Foundation.
The event Friday, June 10, at the Marine Room included food from La Sirena restaurant, music by The Agave Bros. and support from many other donors.
The pantry distributes 2,000 pounds of free, fresh groceries weekdays to shoppers from 20652 Laguna Canyon Road.
More info: call (949) 497-7121.
Stars and Stripes Organizers Receive Recognition
Laguna Beach residents Dick and Debbie Gebhard will be honored at this year’s 20th annual Stars & Stripes tournament, which takes place June 23-26 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
The Stars & Stripes charity fundraiser combines deep-sea fishing and golf and benefits six children’s charities in Orange County and Mexico.
Mr. Gebhard, the event’s chair and founder of the fundraiser, will be honored for his dedication to the effort.
Stars & Stripes began in 1997 raising funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County.
The grand finale musical lineup includes The Rembrandts, Tommy Tuton, Wally Palmer of The Romantics and others.
More info: starsandstripestournament.com.
