Ways to Give: Charity begins at home
It goes without saying that La Jolla has some dedicated and generous residents who frequently step up to make the community a better place for all. For example, there are civic organizations that do not rely on city funding, “Friends Of” groups that enhance what they hold dear. Here’s a list of those seeking some help this year (and next!) that strive to ensure The Jewel retains its sparkle. All are 501 (c) 3 non-profits.
La Jolla Library
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What to give: A financial donation to Friends of La Jolla Library
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Why: The library made history when it opened its biotech lab and 3D printing lab in April, becoming the first public library in the country with such facilities. To keep it going, the lab needs its equipment updated and working properly. Contributions are also used for laptops for the 3D design workshops; to fund programming such as children’s story times, lectures for adults and chair yoga for seniors; to support modernization of the sound system and audio-visual equipment; and buy books for the new Scripps Express Book Collection that features the latest bestsellers each month, exclusively for La Jolla patrons.
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How to give: Send or drop off a donation to Friends of La Jolla Library, 7555 Draper Ave. San Diego, CA 92037 or visit lajollalibrary.org
La Jolla Recreation Center
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What to give: A financial donation to La Jolla Rec Center board
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Why: Now in its 100th year, the Rec Center provides low-cost children’s programming during the day and in the evening becomes a venue for more than a dozen monthly civic meetings. Leading up to the centennial, the interior and exterior were repainted and the floor was replaced, but there are other cosmetic improvements to be made. Chiefly: the audio system needs to be replaced (the current one is from 1960!) and more lighting would make the facility safer at night and deter people from sleeping on the grass. The play equipment on the “tot lot” needs to be sanded and repainted. The Rec Center board would prefer to keep the wooden equipment rather than replace it with metal gear that gets hot during the summer. Because these are optional improvements, the city will not pay for them.
La Jolla Community Center
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What to give: Financial donations
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Why: La Jolla’s adult Community Center provides lost-cost programs and services to promote lifelong learning, wellness and friendship including yoga, dancing, technology workshops, language classes, movie clubs, bridge clubs, cooking classes and special events. Center leadership said a common misconception is that the center receives government funding, which it does not. The Center is in the midst of its end-of-the-year appeal and hopes to raise $100,000 by the end of December. In previous years, the campaign paid for capital improvements, but with many of them complete (including the new courtyard), funds collected this year will help underwrite programs and special events for 2016.
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How to give: Donate at ljcommunitycenter.org or mail/drop off a donation to 6811 La Jolla Blvd. San Diego, CA 92037
La Jolla Historical Society
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What to give: Time or a financial donation
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Why: The Historical Society is dedicated to the discovery, collection and preservation of La Jolla’s heritage through its collections and programs. Monetary contributions would support rotating exhibits throughout the year that are free and open to the public. The current exhibit, on display through January 2016, explores the architects that studied under Frank Lloyd Wright. The next, which goes up in February, will look at the work of La Jolla resident and La Jolla Country Day School art and drama teacher William Newport Goodell. The Historical Society is also seeking gallery docents for the exhibits. Those interested can call the Society for more information about volunteering.
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How to give: Donate at lajollahistory.org or call (858) 459-5335 or mail an end-of-year gift to La Jolla Historical Society, P.O. Box 2085 San Diego, CA 92038-2085
La Jolla Town Council
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What to give: Time (in the form of membership)
While monetary contributions would help the council promote meetings and rent equipment for community events, current leadership would like to see its membership increased. By being a member, one also qualifies to be elected a voting trustee in early 2106.
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How to give: To become a general member, e-mail president@lajollatowncouncil.org for an application.
La Jolla Parks & Beaches, Inc.
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What to give: Financial donations
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Why: In addition to serving as an advisory group to the city, Parks & Beaches manages an account to raise funds for projects and enhanced services. Current projects under its the auspices include: Whale View Point, to improve the coastal area on the 300-500 block of Coast Boulevard; Children’s Pool Walk, to upgrade the sidewalk area above Children’s Pool; La Jolla Cove Pavilion Project, to replace the restroom facility near La Jolla Cove; WindanSea S-Curve, to repair infrastructure at WindanSea; and more.
By giving to this advisory group, funds may be used for myriad projects along the coast, and ongoing park improvements and miscellaneous smaller projects. The board also produces a wish list of projects for the city to fund.
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How to give: Go to lajollaparksandbeaches.org or drop off a donation at the board’s monthly meeting: 4 p.m. fourth Mondays at La Jolla Rec Center, 615 Prospect St.
Muirlands Foundation
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What to give: Financial donations
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Why: Muirlands Foundation is a parent-led community building and fundraising organization with the goal of raising $114,000 this year. Contributions will support afterschool homework help, teaching assistants, materials for student clubs, updated books and scholarships for students to go on organized school trips (Camp Cuyamac for sixth-graders, Yosemite for seventh-graders and the East Coast for eighth- graders). But chiefly, the Muirlands Foundation would like to purchase 12 new touchscreen computers for the library and ultimately, a whole new computer lab.
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How to give: Visit muirlandsfoundation.org and click on “fundraising” and then “Muirlands Gives.” Or mail a donation to Muirlands Foundation, c/o Muirlands Middle School, 1056 Nautilus St., La Jolla, 92037
The Foundation of La Jolla High School
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What to give: Financial donations
La Jolla Community Foundation
La Jolla Town Foundation
The three main projects under the Town Foundation are: the Sparkle & Shine campaign, to clean up Village sidewalks; the Village Memorial Bench Program; and the annual Fourth of July Fireworks at La Jolla Cove. Donations to these projects are made to the Town Foundation, which then funds the cause. The Town Foundation has been funding community improvements for more than 20 years, is project-specific and does not give grants.
Friends of La Jolla Shores
To help with this project, leadership requests letters of support be sent to City Council President Sherri Lightner’s and Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s office.
Friends of Coast Walk Trail
The Friends have already improved trail safety by filling in the deep grooves down the middle of the path and restoring some of the plantings. Volunteers also host cleanup days to remove dead vegetation and litter from the trail.
The group also contracts for regular maintenance to prevent deterioration and limit the need for larger projects. In addition to smaller projects, the Friends are working toward a master plan to examine the ecosystem as a whole and look at long-term maintenance.
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