21 Non-Profits Awarded $38,500 in Grants at Pasadena Rotary’s Community Grants Award Luncheon

The Pasadena Rotary Club held the 2016 Community Grants Award Luncheon at the University Club facility on Wednesday, awarding 21 Pasadena non-profit organizations grants focused on serving Veterans and at risk and/or developmentally disabled children under 18 years of age.

The luncheon kicked off at noon while attendees including guests, Rotary members and non-profit representatives gathered in the banquet room to socialize over a bountiful catered lunch buffet.

Following the lunch hour, an introductory speech from the Rotary Club Community Grant Committee Co-Chair Colleen Carey introduced the committee members and outlined the grants.

“This year we had $38,500 to distribute. Our funds are the result of the investment performance of the fund that our foundation has,”explained Carey.

Co-Chair Catherine Haskett then took the podium and presented each non-profit organization with their donation check.

Representatives from each organization delivered acceptance remarks, outlining the role and functions of their organizations in Pasadena, thanking their donation sponsors and explaining specifics of where and how the grants will be allocated.

“As a non-profit in this community it’s always amazing to see this kind of support that Pasadena non-profits get. I think it’s unique and the Rotary is a perfect example of the generosity of this community,” said Mark Waterson, the Executive Director of the Convalescent Aid Society.

There was excitement and gratitude expressed by the organizations in regards to their successful grant awards.

Juliana Serrano, who is Board Member of Planned Parenthood Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley, was among the representatives who said she was filled with joy.

“It’s so exciting and so beautiful. It’s a true testament to the wonderful work that is happening in this community. It’s with honor that we join all the other recipients and our grant money will be put to really good use,” said Serrano on the impact of the community grants.

The Rotary’s tradition of switching up each year’s area of focus allows diverse organizations to apply for grants over time.

Here is a detailed list of the organizations awarded at the 2016 Community Grants Award Luncheon:

A Noise Within: $500
Ability First: $1,500
American Legion Post 13: $3,000
Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena: $1,360
College Access Plan (CAP): $2,000
Convalescent Aid Society: $1,000
Door of Hope: $1,600
Foothill Family Services: $1,552
Hathaway Sycamores: $1,787
Hillsides: $1,600
Learning Works Charter School: $2,000
Light Bringer Project: $1,700
Los Angeles Children’s Chorus: $2,000
Outward Bound Adventures: $1,950
Pacific Clinics: $1,000
Pasadena City College Foundation: $4,000
Planned Parenthood: $2,000
Professional Child Development Associates: $1,600
Ronald McDonald House: $2,000
Union Station: $2,351
Young & Healthy: $2,000

For more information visit www.pasadenarotary.com