MAULI OLA FOUNDATION Through children ’ s hospital visits and one-on-one surf sessions that bring together top action sports athletes and kids and young adults with life-threatening illnesses and disabilities , the Mauli Ola Foundation aims to educate , raise awareness and provide alternative therapies for cystic fibrosis and other genetic disorders . The organization also hosts golf tournaments and concerts and also sells merchandise and accepts donations to support the cause . ( mauliola . org )
THE PEACE EXCHANGE From Congo to Kenya and Tanzania , The Peace Exchange works alongside nongovernmental organizations to help local artisans sell their handmade items through fair trade practices . Seamstresses in Congo use African wax print textiles to create bags , aprons and home goods . In Kenya , artisans make jewelry from snare wire traps that are removed from local parks to save wildlife . Also , widowed women in Tanzania craft handwoven baskets as well as beaded coasters , chargers and trivets . These are all sold on the nonprofit ’ s website . ( thepeaceexchange . com )
POLLINATOR PROTECTION FUND Started by local author Laura Ford , this reserve was created in 2021 in an effort to rebuild the populations of Western monarch butterflies in Southern California . The Pollinator Protection Fund provides monetary support for butterfly gardens , with the founding garden located in Heisler Park in partnership with the Laguna Beach Garden Club . ( protectmonarchs . com )
PROJECT SCIENTIST Laguna Beach resident Sandy Marshall launched Project Scientist in 2011 when she was unable to find a suitable STEM program for her daughter . Deciding to start one herself , the group ’ s sessions are centered around science , technology , engineering and mathematics in an effort to empower young women and inspire them to find work within the scientific community . ( projectscientist . org )
ROTARY CLUB OF LAGUNA BEACH There are many facets to the work done by the Rotary Club of Laguna Beach , from community service and vocational experiences to international projects . Some of the biggest local efforts include the Classic Car Show held at the edge of Laguna Canyon each fall to benefit regional charities and the Grapes for Grads fundraising event that takes place in the spring to raise money for student scholarships . ( lagunabeachrotary . org )
SEASIDE LEGAL SERVICES From family law to elder legal issues , landlord-tenant disputes , immigration , consumer law , wills and trusts , end-of-life planning and disability law , Seaside Legal Services is a nonprofit public interest law firm that provides free legal help for those who can ’ t afford legal counsel . The firm doesn ’ t deal with criminal matters as the public defender is available for those who can ’ t afford an attorney in criminal cases . ( seasidelegalservices . org )
SOUTH LAGUNA COMMUNITY GARDEN PARK For many , real estate prices in town are steep — and often don ’ t include the outdoor space for a garden ; however , the South Laguna Community Garden Park fills that gap , offering planters that locals can use to grow fresh fruits , vegetables , herbs , flowers and succulents . Donations go to OneOC , which holds funds for the nonprofit , which is in the midst of a yearslong effort to raise enough money to buy the land the garden is on . ( southlaguna . org / garden )
VILLAGE LAGUNA The Laguna Beach coastline remains iconic thanks to Village Laguna , whose members banded together in the 1970s to fight against proposals to construct high-rise buildings ; the group was also responsible for creating Main Beach Park . Over the years , the nonprofit has continued to preserve the town ’ s authenticity as well as local cultural heritage . ( villagelaguna . org )
WHEELS 4 LIFE Mountain Bike Hall of Famer Hans Rey and his wife , Carmen , founded Wheels 4 Life to provide bicycles to those in need of transportation in developing countries . Often , these people live in remote areas where the nearest doctor , school or workplace might be 10 to 20 miles away , and public transportation doesn ’ t exist . Wheels 4 Life works with nonprofits , schools , health clinics and local leaders to find people in need of a bike . ( wheels4life . org )
WITH MY OWN TWO HANDS FOUNDATION Founded by former basketball player Lindsey Pluimer , the With My Own Two Hands Foundation helps provide people in Africa with access to clean water , sustainable agriculture and education . Various documentaries have also been released by the nonprofit , focusing on the work the group is doing overseas . ( withmyown2hands . org )
WOMAN ’ S CLUB OF LAGUNA BEACH Marking its centennial this year , the Woman ’ s Club of Laguna Beach brings together women for friendship , community service and education , helping support hundreds of local charitable groups through volunteerism and donations . Over the years , the group has raised money to build Laguna ’ s hospital and Bluebird Park playground , and assists women , children and families in need . ( wclb . org ) g
January 3-9 , 2023
SPORTS • ART • GAMES • STEM • HOT COCOA PIZZA PARTY • FIELD TRIP TO DAVE & BUSTERS
Canyon - Grades K-8th Bluebird - Grades K-5th 7:30 am - 6:00 pm
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
~ TAKING REGISTRATIONS NOW ~ ayline @ bgclaguna . org 949.494.2535 bgclagunabeach . org
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