Contributing to Community: Local Philanthropists
The Conejo Valley is home to numerous nonprofits that exist to improve and enrich our quality of life. Thankfully, generosity also lives in the Conejo, in the form of local philanthropists who support area organizations and enable them to keep up their good work.
Here, we recognize some of our community benefactors and hope you will join us in thanking them for all they do!
Rosemary Allison, Estates Director, Coldwell Banker Realty
Organizations Supported: For the Troops, St. Jude’s, and the Ventura County Sheriffs Foundation
There are so many deserving charities, but I am especially passionate about For the Troops, an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing deployed members of our armed forces with “We Care” packages containing necessities, snacks, games and, most of all, a show of support from home. Since its inception in 2005, For the Troops has grown substantially in volunteers and donors, annually distributing over 100,000 We Care packages annually to American troops who risk their lives around the world to thank them for their service and to demonstrate that we have not forgotten them.
My passion for supporting St. Jude’s started when our close friends and neighbors Patrick and Cathy Warburton hosted their first annual Warburton Celebrity Golf Tournament in 2010—I am in awe of their accomplishments; through their efforts they have raised more than $17 million for this worthwhile charity. Patrick and Cathy educated me about the strides St. Jude's made in finding cures and saving children from cancer and other deadly diseases. Through their involvement I had the opportunity to meet some of the kids and their parents who received lifesaving treatments at St. Jude.
The Ventura County Sheriff's Department, headed by our esteemed Sheriff Bill Ayub, is one of the best law enforcement agencies in the nation. It is our privilege and honor to assist the department by financially supporting many divisions and programs within the department through the Sheriff’s. My husband and I are the proud contributors to the following programs funded by the Sheriff's Foundation Criminal Justice Training Center: Equipment for K9 Unit, Crisis Intervention Team and the CIT State-of-the-Art Simulator. We are very proud that our son, Joe Markiewicz, is on the Sheriff's Foundation Board of Directors.
Arlene, Doug & Devon Braun
My Stuff Bags
We choose to support Janeen and Bob, and the My Stuff Bags Foundation because they are a beacon of hope in our community. Being able to address the immediate physical and emotional needs of a rescued children at such a critical moment in that young person’s journey is what the human spirit is about. We are just a helping hand on their mission to reduce the nearly 300,000 children each year who must enter the foster care system with nothing of their own. If you are a member of this community, look to support the amazing people around you that are changing lives every day.
"People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care" - Zig Zigler
Anita Brodecty, Owner, Toyota Thousand Oaks
Organization Supported: Shelter Hope Pet Shop
The staff at Shelter Hope, and the work that they do, is nothing short of heroic. The organization has a special place in my heart because of what they provide for our community and for our four-legged friends.
Shelter Hope is committed to letting us never forget the amazing role that animals play in our lives. Caring for pets is a blessing, as they truly make our lives complete. Sometimes I find myself looking at my two Yorkies, Precious and Prudence, and I remember that for all I do to take care of their needs, they give me back so much more in return. Every dog deserves a forever home, and Shelter Hope helps us get a little closer to that dream each and every day.
Keets & Hugh Cassar
Organizations Supported: Senior Concerns, Casa Pacifica, Cancer Support Center, TOArts, New West Symphony and 5 Star Theatrical
We believe in supporting those charities that are singular and unique to our community and county. Senior Concerns deals with the aging population in our community and assists the caretakers who many times find themselves in the position of caring for elderly parents, many of whom suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s. Senior Concerns provides a safe haven for the elderly, while providing some time off for their caretakers to return to their jobs or just have a break. Meals on Wheels is an integral part of their program. Hugh worked at Los Robles Hospital when it first opened in the late 60s and was instrumental in setting up the first Meals on Wheels program. Senior Concerns also provides legal advice and seminars to seniors needing assistance with paperwork on professional matters.
Casa Pacifica has an amazing staff and administrators who work with disturbed adolescents and their families as well as juveniles placed in their campus housing program, many of whom do not have families or homes.
We also donate to Cancer Support which has many varied programs for those cancer patients seeking help in dealing with their diagnosis. Cancer Support provides activities, meetings and various classes that promote health and well-being for their clients during their challenging journey as well as programs for the children of said family members.
We also support the arts and TOArts at the BAPAC and are big fans of New West Symphony and 5-Star Musical Theatre. We donate to the Harmony Project which is under the umbrella of NW Symphony. The Harmony Project provides musical instruments, classes and teachers to underserved schools; ultimately producing polished musicians upon their graduation who continue their love of music as they matriculate on to high school. 5-Star Theatrical serves to give the community fun experiences plus a love for the theater. Adults and children both benefit from viewing live productions given by talented performers. The arts provide food and challenges for the soul and are as essential as breath itself.
The above organizations take care of both the young and the old and that is what makes our community so special.
Linda & David Catlin
Organizations Supported: Senior Concerns, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley, New West Symphony, Casa Pacifica, Safe Passage, Hospice of the Conejo, and Cancer Support Community, among others.
All seven of the local charities we support are doing important work and providing vital services in the community, and we are proud to offer our support to each one. However, when we started to look at local charities to support on a long-term, more major basis, we chose to focus most of our giving on two charities where we felt we could have the greatest impact.
Our good friend, Joanie Young, recommended Senior Concerns. We had both turned to Senior Concerns for support and guidance as we cared for aging parents with dementia, and we knew Senior Concerns would become more and more critical based on future age expectations in our area. Their programs, including Meals on Wheels, the Adult Day Program, and Caregiver Support, are all vital to the senior community. The impact they’ve made these past two years during the pandemic is tremendous, as they worked to keep seniors safe and healthy.
Another good friend, Cal Johnston, was just starting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley when we got involved. We feel their mission to enhance the lives of young people and their families by providing a positive environment that cultivates academic success, healthy lifestyles, good character and citizenship is so important for the youth of this area. When we started to support the Boys and Girls Clubs, they only had one club. Today, there are nine clubs throughout the Conejo Valley and Calabasas making a positive difference in the lives of children.
Bonnie Inai, 11-Year Volunteer
Organization Supported: My Stuff Bags Foundation
My heart goes out to kids who have been traumatized by abuse. So often these kids enter foster care and crisis shelters with nothing of their own. Getting their very own My Stuff Bag means these kids will have comforts and necessities at the most difficult time in their lives. I enjoy sorting all the wonderful donations and selecting the “stuff” to include for each age child.
Barbara Ito
Organization Supported: Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families
Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families is very important to the very fabric of our community. The programs and services available strengthen and support not only children and families in crisis but extended family and friends. Because Casa Pacifica embraces and enriches the lives of our most vulnerable citizens, we are a better and stronger community. Bringing awareness and support to such a worthy organization is my mission and I embrace it wholeheartedly! I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to my community and serve those who need love and support through difficult times. As a member and the current President of the Casa Pacifica Angels, the fundraising events I have been involved with over the years have introduced me to the best and brightest that Ventura County has to offer. Our goal is that the children’s parties bring enjoyment and a sense of community to the families and youth of Casa Pacifica. I am humbled to be part of an ever-increasing and inspiring group of dedicated volunteers. I am also passionate about supporting Casa Pacifica financially, both through my business, Five Star Bookkeeping, and personally. The agency’s work is so important, and it is my pleasure to support their work in this way. The additional funds and in-kind gifts that have been generated support a loving and caring staff. I look forward to supporting and fostering interest and community involvement in Casa Pacifica, engaging in future fundraising activities, soliciting in-kind gifts and volunteer hours for programs.
Patricia & George Jones
Organizations Supported: American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Boys and Girls Club, Casa Pacifica, Childhelp USA, Community Conscience, Conejo Free Clinic, Conejo Valley Senior Concerns, Council on Aging, Gary Sinise Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Hospice of the Conejo, Museum of Motion Pictures, New West Symphony, Open Hearts Foundation, Rotary International and Foundation, St. Jude’s, Support for the Troops, Tushita Kadampa Buddhist Center, TOArts, Westlakers Scholarship Fund, Yarrow YMCA
We both come from large families, and our values were shaped by parents who understood the importance of giving and sharing. George’s parents were old when he was born. His father was often mistaken for his grandfather and his father passed away when George was 14 years old. Having this relationship with his older father gave George insight into the ways, thoughts, passions and concerns of older people. That is why he is so passionate about Senior Concerns and why he started an elder care business.
Patricia got involved with Senior Concerns at the urging of former Board Chair David Catlin. David believed that Patricia’s fundraising background and owning a senior care business would make her a good fit for the Board of Directors at Senior Concerns. Senior Concerns is an incredible organization. They have steadfastly kept the needs of seniors in the forefront for more than 45 years. The Meals on Wheels Program has grown from delivering 800 meals per week to 4,000 per week. The Adult Day Program helps keep seniors and family caregivers engaged in meaningful and productive ways. The financial and legal aid assistance is one-of-a-kind. The Conejo Valley, unlike many other communities, has invested in this valuable resource which cares for people in the fourth quarter of their lives. We cannot discard the elderly as useless and a burden. There is so much we can learn from them. Their stories and wisdom can enrich our own lives in ways we can’t imagine. All you have to do is listen, and that’s what Senior Concerns is doing.
Mike & Loretta Merewether
Organizations Supported: Rubicon Theatre, Ventura Botanical Gardens, VCCF, YMCA, CLU Leadership, Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra, Cabrillo Economic Development Corp, Housing Trust Fund of Ventura County, Peoples Self-Help Housing
Housing Trust Fund of Ventura County which together with CEDC, PSHH, fits our passion for clean, safe and well-managed housing and family housing support programs. We support Ventura Botanical Gardens which provides a healthy outlet to help the environment, to educate, preserve endangered plants and to help provide for a strong economic base for our downtown and region. We support VCCF because it helps connect and educate NFP Boards, ourselves, including our family members and peers, on how best to invest our donation dollars and serves as an important catalyst in working with the County and others with education scholarships, helping with the census count that returned many dollars to our community to name a few.
We support the Rubicon and other art organizations, as they enrich our community culturally and help educate young people as well as help our area economically.
Mike Murray, Director of Community Relations, Pet Food Express in Conejo Valley Plaza
Organization Supported: Shelter Hope Pet Shop
A core value of Pet Food Express is helping homeless animals and supporting organizations who work to save them. Upon meeting Kim Sill and getting to know Shelter Hope Pet Shop, it was clear that we had found the perfect match to bring one of our values to life in this caring community. Kim is a remarkable leader in animal welfare in Southern California and we strongly believe in her position against puppy mills. It's an honor to call her and Shelter Hope a partner as we work together to find the right forever homes for rescued animals.