Above : a SchoolPower golf competition fundraiser ; below : Sally ’ s Fund offers escorted rides to appointments and help with grocery shopping for seniors .
SALLY ’ S FUND Established in 1982 , Sally ’ s Fund offers door-to-door , assisted transportation , among other essential services , for Laguna Beach seniors and disabled individuals . For doctor ’ s appointments , Sally ’ s Fund drivers will walk clients to the door and stay with them . During grocery shopping trips , the driver will push the cart and carry the bags . Sally ’ s Fund also provides rides to the Susi Q for lunch , classes and events as well as weekly outings , plus home visits to offer companionship for those who are bedridden or homebound . ( sallysfund . org )
SAWDUST ART ENRICHMENT FUND Aimed at supporting public arts education and providing creative workshops for underserved populations , the Sawdust Art Enrichment Fund was established about a decade ago . Hands-on artmaking sessions are offered for at-risk youth and those in the armed forces and their families . The fund has also recently worked with nonprofit American Family Housing to provide art classes for formerly homeless at-risk youth . ( sawdustartfestival . org )
SCHOOLPOWER Local nonprofit SchoolPower helps fund academic endeavors , but also advocates for improvements to music as well as visual and performing arts , athletics , student support and more at El Morro and Top of the World elementary schools , Thurston Middle School and Laguna Beach High School through its grant program . Donations are accepted and fundraisers take place in town throughout the school year . ( lbschoolpower . org )
SEASIDE LEGAL SERVICES From landlord-tenant disputes and immigration to wills and trusts , child custody , divorce
44 LAGUNABEACHMAGAZINE . COM cases and record expungement , Seaside Legal Services is a nonprofit public interest law firm that has been providing free legal help for those who can ’ t afford counsel since 2014 . The group also partners with local organizations like the Friendship Shelter and the Laguna Beach Community Clinic . The firm doesn ’ t deal with criminal matters , as the public defender is available for those cases . ( seasidelegalservices . org )
SOUTH LAGUNA CIVIC ASSOCIATION Focused on community leadership since the 1940s , the South Laguna Civic Association has worked to pioneer change in south Laguna since it was an unincorporated part of Orange County . After it was annexed into the city in the 1980s , the nonprofit continued to implement improvements , from beautification projects along Coast Highway to an expansion of Treasure Island Park , the creation of Marine Protected Areas and more . ( southlaguna . 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 and flowers . Supported by both the South Laguna Civic Association and the Laguna Beach Community Foundation , the garden is in the midst of raising money to buy the land the garden is on . ( southlagunagarden . org )
THINK LAGUNA FIRST Supporting local business is incredibly important in a city like Laguna Beach , where a good deal of the shops and restaurants are independently owned . Instead of box chains , the town has a unique retail / dining landscape that attracts locals and visitors alike . Think Laguna First is managed by the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce and helps promote efforts like Small Business Saturday , held each November , which keep funds in Laguna . ( thinklagunafirst . com )
UNCONDITIONAL Senior and special needs dogs are often the hardest to adopt out , but Unconditional is working to change that . Founded by Laguna Beach husband-and-wife team Julian and Amy Mack , the rescue group is currently building an 8,000-square-foot , homelike adoption center in Laguna Canyon . The nonprofit also recently launched Rise Pet Health , an emergency
and specialty medicine clinic in Laguna Hills that is open to the public and will treat Unconditional ’ s animals . ( unconditionalrescue . org )
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 helping to create Main Beach Park . Over the years , the nonprofit has continued to preserve the town ’ s authenticity and local culture . It also hosts the Charm House Tour in the spring . ( villagelaguna . org )
WHEELS4LIFE 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 is up to 20 miles away , and public transportation either doesn ’ t exist or they can ’ t afford it . Wheels 4 Life works with nonprofits , schools , health clinics and local leaders to find those in need of a bike . ( wheels4life . org )
WITH MY OWN TWO HANDS 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 ; the group also focuses on climate mitigation and gender equity . More than 50 communities — and 120,000 individuals — have been affected by WMO2H ’ s efforts , with various documentaries having been released that showcase the work the group is doing . ( withmyown2hands . org )
WOMAN ’ S CLUB OF LAGUNA BEACH Marking its centennial last year , the Woman ’ s Club of Laguna Beach has a long history of bringing together women for friendship , community service and education . In addition , its members help support hundreds of local charitable groups through volunteerism and donations . The group helped raise money to build south Laguna ’ s hospital and the Bluebird Park playground while regularly assisting women and children in need . ( wclb . org )
WYLAND FOUNDATION Marine wildlife artist Wyland — known for his large-scale whale murals across the globe — established the Wyland Foundation more than 25 years ago to help preserve the world ’ s waterways . Among this organization ’ s educational programs is the Clean Water Mobile Learning Experience and a conservationfocused student art contest , while also encouraging waterway cleanups and partnering with mayors nationwide for a friendly competition to see which city can be the most water-wise . ( wylandfoundation . org ) /
With My Own Two Hands helps provide access to clean water , sustainable agriculture and education in Africa .
FROM TOP : CANDICE DARTEZ ; JOHANNA ELLIS ; LUKE GRIGG OF CIRCLE3PRODUCTIONS