Bob Jacobs, chairman of the project, gave special thanks to Ken Lady of the Santa Monica Elks, who volunteered his truck and made two trips to haul the 36 cartons to the post office. Parties extended to those down on their luck
By Daily Press staff
American soldiers abroad should feel a little more at home, thanks to local service groups.
At a recent meeting at the Santa Monica Elks Lodge, men and women from The American Legion Post 123, Santa Monica Elks Lodge, Santa Monica Red Cross, and eight school children prepared gift boxes to be shipped to soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and Bahrain. An assembly line was set up in which volunteers filled each box with a writing pad, cassette tapes, AA batteries, playing cards, cookies, candy, a book and a letter from a student from San Mateo Elementary School.
As all items, including postage, were purchased, which required large donations, furnished by American Legion Posts Santa Monica 123 and Pacific Palisades 283, and the Santa Monica Elks, as well as numerous individual contributions. Doug See BRIEFS, page 8 Colored lights and scented candles will burn brightly at 11 holiday parties for homeless, and low-income individuals and families at St. Joseph Center throughout December.
Business owners, professionals, community leaders and celebrities will join the center to support its life-building programs for the working poor by donating their time, energy and resources.
“It’s the one time of the year when clients, staff, volunteers, board members and donors can get together to truly celebrate,” said Rhonda Meister, executive director of the human services agency. “Everyone is welcome at St. Joseph Center.”
There’s a holiday party for each St. Joseph’s program. Neutrogena sponsored a party this past Tuesday for the Veterans Representative Payee Program on the VA grounds. On Dec. 15, they will hold a party for the Monetary Advisory Program at the Bread & Roses Café in Venice. Volunteers will serve food, play games and give door prizes.
At the Early Learning Center in Santa Monica on Dec. 15, the Village School will throw a party for the preschoolers in childcare. And on Dec. 21 the family center will make its “Adopt-A-Family” distribution to close to 500 families.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 13, 2004. Read the original PDF.