Nonprofits to support and ways to give back

Local nonprofits and organizations offer ways to volunteer, give back to community this holiday season

As our thoughts turn to the holidays and ways to give back, local nonprofits are inviting the community to get involved, donate and volunteer with their organizations. We reached out to Westchester/ Playa nonprofits to learn about their upcoming projects and asked them to share how the neighborhood could support their efforts as we head into the holiday season.

Below is our round-up of local organizations offering volunteer opportunities and ways you can help make a positive impact on the community, whether you’re passionate about the environment, mental health, seniors or anything in-between. If you are feeling extra generous, make sure to visit these nonprofits’ websites and social media pages on Giving Tuesday (November 30) to donate to their worthwhile causes.

Submit your Makeover Project ideas to the Westchester Rotary Club to support a community space.

In September, the Westchester Rotary Club unveiled the more than $100,000 in upgrades and hundreds of volunteer hours its members contributed to the Emerson Avenue Community Garden as part of its Makeover Project, which happens every two years. Since COVID delayed their work at the garden, the club’s next large-scale project is scheduled for 2022, and they’re currently looking for ideas on a worthwhile location to transform!

The community is invited to submit suggestions for the club’s next big undertaking that embodies the spirit of Rotary and allows the group’s volunteers to roll up their sleeves and make a difference. In the past, the club has selected the Westchester Senior Center, local homes, the Westchester Townhouse and Venice’s Safe Place for Youth. Visit rotarywestchester.com for more info and to share your thoughts. Once the project is announced next year, volunteer opportunities will also be available.

Participate in Westside Pacific Villages fundraising drive to support seniors.

Westside Pacific Villages (WPV) has been adept at pivoting quickly throughout the pandemic and is always looking for ways to meet the needs of its members, so it’s no surprise that more positive changes are coming to the Westchesterbased nonprofit focusing on helping seniors age in place. WPV recently announced that it has created a new membership fee structure to support even more local seniors after retiring its free WPV CARES COVID emergency response program. The new reduced fee for membership is now $250 per year, with monthly payment options available. WPV has also added a program to help low-income seniors receive services, regardless of their ability to pay.

This month, WPV is hosting a fundraising drive with the goal to raise $12,000 to provide 50 seniors with a full year of its services, which include transportation to appointments, technology assistance, social support calls, friendly visits, helping with light chores and more. During each week of their fundraising drive through the end of November, a sponsor has committed to matching up to $1,500 in donations. The first week of the drive is sponsored by The Book Jewel.

And of course, WPV is always looking for passionate volunteers interested in supporting seniors. Learn more at thewpv.org.

From top: 1. Westchester Rotarians help beautify the Emerson Avenue Community Garden as part of their Makeover Project. Photo by Lek Pollard. 2. A volunteer helps with transportation at WPV. 3. The Y’s Food Pantry is open 24/7 for anyone in need.

Help feed those in need at the Westchester Family YMCA.

The Westchester Family YMCA has always been a community hub with a variety of opportunities for people to get involved and be of service. Since February, the Y has been hosting a weekly produce distribution event on Wednesdays for anyone in need through a partnership with FeedLA. In order to make the distribution of items like lettuce, fresh fruit, and a rotating selection of veggies, go quickly and smoothly, the Y is looking for volunteers to assist people with signing in and passing out bags. Volunteers are needed through the end of the year and can sign-up at ymcala.volunteermatters.org/ project-catalog/873 or by emailing JasonRamos@ymcaLA.org.

The distribution events are held on Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Y’s Annex, located at 8020 Alverstone St. in Westchester.

The Y is also looking for support for its Painted Pantry Project. The pantry, which is located in their parking lot, is stocked with readyto-eat snacks, drinks and shelf-stable food items available to all. The pantry is open 24/7 and is supported by the generosity of community members. For those interested in donating to the pantry or volunteering to clean and restock items, please email John Sharpe at john@sharpeonline.com.

Donate blood with the LAX Coastal Chamber.

The LAX Coastal Chamber is hosting a blood drive this month in honor of one of its members. The community is invited to sign up for the Thursday, November 11 event by visiting cedarssinai.org/giveblood and using the group code BDKD. During the drive, the Cedars-Sinai bloodmobile will be located in the CVS parking lot at 8900 S. Sepulveda in Westchester from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donors should be in good health and must be at least 17-years-old to participate.

As an added bonus, donors will receive a coupon for a free pint of Baskin-Robbins ice cream or a limitededition T-shirt as a thank you. (continued on next page)

Bring canned goods to the Woman’s Club of Playa del Rey.

The Woman’s Club of Playa del Rey is hosting a holiday canned food drive to benefit Food Pantry LAX this month. Those interested in donating are asked to drop off their items on Saturday, November 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to the club’s parking lot, located at 8039 W. Manchester Ave in Playa del Rey.

Thanksgiving dinner food items including canned ham, soup, packaged mashed potatoes, packaged pie crust and fillings, stuffing, cake mix and boxed macaroni and cheese are especially appreciated. Email womansclubplayadelrey@ gmail.com with any questions or for more info.

Join The Bay Foundation in restoring the dunes.

For a unique volunteer opportunity with a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean, volunteer with The Bay Foundation (TBF) for their monthly restoration event at the LAX Dunes. Since 2015, The Bay Foundation, Friends of the LAX Dunes and Los Angeles World Airports, along with thousands of volunteers have worked to restore, enhance and protect this special habitat. Participants must

Left to right: 1. Volunteers help TBF remove invasive plants during a community restoration day event. Photo courtesy TBF. 2. A member of Silicon Beach Social promotes their canned food drive with the Woman’s Club of Playa del Rey during the holidays last year. Photo courtesy SBS.

RSVP at santamonicabay.org/events to participate and this volunteer opportunity is currently capped at 30 people. TBF is also hosting a Ballona Wetlands Community Restoration event on November 10 to help remove invasive plants and non-native vegetation in the wetlands.

Help Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary provide a nice holiday season for families in need.

The holidays are the best time of the year for the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club, and they have a full schedule of giving back activities planned for November and December.

The club, which meets at Whiskey Red’s in Marina del Rey on Wednesday mornings, is getting ready for its annual Adopt-A-Family program, which will provide 10 families from the Mar Vista Family Center and the Boys & Girls Club of Venice with a special holiday season. The program will kick-off on November 17, and thanks to their members and the support of the community, the families will be provided holiday gifts, food, household items and other treats. Community members are welcome to contribute to the program by contacting Adopt-A-Family chair, Kristen Hemanes at kristen@ glennsdesigns.com.

The club also hosts the annual Westchester/Playa Santa Tour, which will take place on Monday, December 13. During the event, Santa, accompanied by LAFD and local volunteers, will make his way through the community and make stops at 5 locations. Each location will be staffed with volunteers who will be handing out treats, and helping Santa pose for photos with attendees.

Stayed tuned for the locations in next month’s edition. For more info on the Santa Tour, please email gvuchsas@secoteam.com.

Visit playavenice.org to learn more about the club’s upcoming projects. (continued on page 14)

Westchester’s newest mural pays homage to an old 7-Eleven jingle, while giving a shout out to the neighborhood. The Instagram-worthy spot is already proving a hit with locals and tourists alike who stop by the location on Sepulveda across from In-N-Out.

New mural pops up in Westchester.

Community members were on hand to celebrate the grand opening of Westchester’s newest 7-Eleven and latest mural on October 5. In addition to the regular 7-Eleven offerings like Slurpees, snacks, hot dogs and a coffee bar, the new Westchester location features a more than 100-foot mural on its southern wall. The colorful artwork features a giant parrot and hummingbird with the shout-out to the neighborhood, “Oh Thank Heaven for Westchester” a nod to one of the convenience store’s memorable slogans. The mural was created by local artist Ernest Doty who is known for his bold, distinctive style often featuring birds. The mural is part of 7-Eleven’s recent efforts to help beautify their locations and support the arts by teaming up with creative agency, the Ammersion Group, to bring neighborhood-specific murals to stores. 7-Eleven Westchester is located at 9210 S. Sepulveda Blvd.

Gateway to LA to host annual Holiday Concert and LAPD Toy Drive.

Reservations are now open for the 17th Annual Holiday Concert hosted by the Gateway to LA Business Improvement District. This year’s concert is scheduled for November 23 at 11:30 a.m. at the LAX Marriott Hotel. Guests will be treated to an hour of holiday music courtesy of the award-winning Angel City Chorale—a

Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner.

On October 21, the winners of the HomeTown News’ Second Annual Pet Photo Contest in partnership with Wallis Annenberg PetSpace visited the location for a group photo and to pick up their prize baskets filled with goodies for their four-legged family members! Located in Playa Vista, PetSpace is not your typical pet adoption center. The unique community space offers monthly education opportunities and a robust schedule of events, which focus on the bond between people and their pets. This month, PetSpace will host a Young at Heart Pet Adoption event on Saturday, November 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in honor of “Adopt a Senior Pet Month.” Learn more at annenbergpetspace.org. Pictured from left to right: Annenberg PetSpace Executive Director Gabrielle Amster; Juanfra Rodriguez with Horchata; Joan Kane with Maxwell and Michelle Navarro with Norman. multi-generational, multi-cultural musical group that was featured on America’s Got Talent—and lunch. Guests are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for the LAPD Toy Drive and donors will be entered into a prize drawing at the event.

Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Westchester Family YMCA, Airport Marina Counseling Service and EmpowerTech. Space is limited and tickets are $500 for a table of six. For more information and to RSVP, please call (310) 216-7328.

Silicon Beach Social readies for Comedy and Cocktails event in Playa del Rey.

The community is invited to attend a Comedy and Cocktails event on Saturday, November 13. The event will feature comedians seen on Comedy Central, Netflix and HBO, including Greg Fitzsimmons, Nicole Aimee Schreiber and Garrick Bernard who will be performing at the Women’s Club of Playa del Rey, located at 8039 W. Manchester Ave. in Playa del Rey.

The comedy show starts at 7 p.m. and food and drinks will be available for purchase. The event is hosted by Silicon Beach Social, a club that combines making friends and doing good through “FUNraising.” A portion of the night’s proceeds will benefit B.R.I.D.G.E., a nonprofit that focuses on equality in education and mental health resources. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased via eventbrite.com Bit.ly/SBScomedyandcocktails. (continued on next page)