The past year was one that the Santa Monica Pacific Palisades Lions Club demonstrated resilience in action.
Our highest priority was supporting the Pacific Palisades community following the devastating January 7 fire. Working with the Salvation Army, our members volunteered at the emergency shelter in Westwood and distributed gift cards to those in need. In coordination with Lions District 4-L3, we also provided blankets, food, toiletries, and other essential items to those in need at a Westwood church.
Helping the Palisades retain their sense of community and honor a long-established tradition of celebrating the Fourth of July, we provided funding for the festival held at Paul Revere Junior High and hosted a children’s activity booth. In November, we contributed $36,200—raised through the California Lions Foundation—to the Palisades Forestry Committee to replant street trees lost in the fire.
Under the leadership of Community Service Chair Brian Ransom, our partnership with the Salvation Army continued throughout the year, including holiday gift adoptions for families and bell ringing during the season. Lions members also participated in community walks benefiting the Foundation Fighting Blindness, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the Westside Food Bank. These efforts reflect the Lions’ guiding belief: Where there is a need, there is a Lion.
This month we renewed our food collection for the Westside Food Bank, recognizing that need often increases after the holidays. Given its impact, this has become a service we plan to repeat at least twice annually.
At our January meeting, after passing the president’s gavel from Pam Andrews to Derrick Beerensteyn, we welcomed Matthew Takahashi from the Santa Monica YMCA, who shared information about programs supporting healthy, active lifestyles—particularly for older adults. Offerings include fitness classes, book clubs, social activities, workshops, and new technology classes, including an introduction to AI. More information is available at ymcasm.org.
On February 4, the club will host the 89th Annual Student Speaker Contest, offering up to $21,500 in scholarship funding. This year’s topic, Youth Mental Health: Overcoming Barriers to Well-Being, invites local high school students to share their perspectives. Interested students may contact Gail Litvack at smpplionsclub@gmail.com or visit md4lions.org/studentspeakers.
If you’re interested in becoming more involved in your community, we invite you to join us as a guest at our next Lions Club dinner meeting on Wednesday, March 4, at 6:00 p.m. at Elks Lodge, 1040 Pico Boulevard. RSVP to Kingsley Fife at 310-367-2679 or smpplionsclub@gmail.com.