FRIENDSHIP AND PHILANTHROPY
THE WOMAN ’ S CLUB OF LAGUNA BEACH ENCOURAGES CAMARADERIE THROUGH CHARITY FUNDRAISING AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS .
The club also raises money and gathers other donations for charity , like holiday toys for kids in need .
LEFT : ASHLEY LITTLEFIELD ; ALL OTHERS ON PAGE : NANCY VILLERE / CRUSH PHOTO STUDIOS
Smaller gatherings like a monthly book club allow members of the Woman ’ s Club of Laguna Beach to get to know one another better .
GROUP GATHERINGS The Woman ’ s Club of Laguna Beach comes together for regularly scheduled monthly events , including book clubs and a walking club , which will be picking up again soon . These monthly gatherings enable members to develop relationships with each other . “ In general , when we have small group gatherings , like [ the ] walking and book club [ s ], one of our members will be the facilitator and keep the group going ,” explains Kitty Malcolm , president of the Woman ’ s Club . “… As a board , we are constantly working to provide smaller group events as a way to engage our members who are interested in meeting new people and getting involved in the community . We are looking at adding [ a ] monthly game night as another example of bringing our members together .” The book clubs are for members only and have been in existence for about five years . When active , the walking group takes place weekly and works around participants ’ schedules .
EXCITING EVENTS Each year , the club hosts several annual events as well . “ The Holiday Luncheon is a popular social event that enables our members and guests to enjoy a festive holiday get-together ,” Malcolm says . “ It is also our only annual fundraiser for our various outreach programs , … [ like our ] Adopt-A-Family giving .” The Woman of the Year Luncheon , which regularly sells out , recognizes a local woman who has consistently served or enhanced the local community . Nominees are selected and then voted on by the club ’ s members . Furthermore , the group was treated to a private , docent-led art tour of Laguna Art Museum ’ s exhibitions at the end of January , with additional tours to take place later this year , and looks forward to a High Tea & Hats social event planned for March 5 in addition to its spring wine and cheese event . “ We do have additional pop-in events coming up , but dates are still being worked out ,” Malcolm adds .
ORGANIC OUTREACH According to Malcolm , the club has been big on community outreach since its inception . Today , with significantly more fundraising opportunities , the group is able to offer larger donations as well as include additional nonprofits in its contributions of goods and services to children and women in need . In 2022 alone , the club donated 40 backpacks to the Laguna Beach Unified School District for local children ; provided scholarships of up to $ 3,500 for SchoolPower ’ s Thrive program for teen girls ; donated $ 5,000 to Laguna Food Pantry ; offered two scholarships through the Laguna Beach High School Scholarship Foundation ; sent two kids to Camp Pinniped through the Pacific Marine Mammal Center ; and donated $ 10,000 to the Friendship Shelter to help women find permanent housing . “ Through [ our ] Adopt-A-Family program , we [ also ] provided 25 children with individual Christmas gifts , as well as food gift cards for each of the individual families ; provided 45 gifts for the Laguna Beach Fire Department Spark of Love toy drive ; and provided 48 gifts for young teens at the … Waymakers Youth Shelter ,” Malcolm adds . g
Annual events range from a holiday luncheon to wine and cheese socials .
LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE 29