The gift of giving

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers GRATEFUL FOR THE GRANTS—Meadowlark Service League President Cindie Dalton, center, and Mary Little, right, project funding chair, present Liz Daily of the Pleasant Valley Historical Society with a grant during the Meadowlark's annual Spring Luncheon at Spanish Hills Country Club June 4. The service league awarded $25,000 in college scholarships and $212,300 to 32 nonprofits that benefit the community. The Meadowlark Service League, a philanthropic group of women, donated $237,300 to various groups at a June 4 luncheon at Spanish Hills Country Club in Camarillo. The league awarded $25,000 in college scholarships and $212,300 to 32 nonprofits that benefit the community.

President Cindie Dalton said although the amount donated is 8 percent less than what was given last year, league members can be proud of their efforts.

"Never in my imagination would I have predicted that, despite these tough economic times, we would achieve so much," Dalton said.

Last year the league, itself a nonprofit of about 80 women who volunteer their time and talents, gave $255,200 in grants and scholarships.

The organization raises the money it donates through three annual events: a tennis tournament in April, A Taste of Camarillo in July and Homes for the Holidays in December.

Since 1971, the league has given $2.2 million to local charities; more than half that has been awarded in the past decade, said Mary Little, funding chair. The group tries to select charities that benefit all segments of the community, from children to seniors, Little said.

The league donated $10,000 to FOOD Share, Ventura County's regional food bank.

Kristy Pollard, FOOD Share grants manager, said the money will help feed the growing number of hungry families. This year FOOD Share expects to serve some 40,000 people, compared to 32,000 people last year, Pollard said.

Cassie Sorenson, director of Lighthouse Women & Children's Mission, a transitional living and addiction recovery program based in Oxnard, said the $3,000 grant from the league will provide families with something most people take for granted. After asking the audience to lift their glasses of water, Sorenson said the children at Lighthouse homes will have ice with their beverages for the first time because the money will buy ice machines.

The $7,500 the league gave to the RAIN Project Transitional Living Center in Camarillo for homeless families will pay for residents to receive therapeutic counseling.

"I can't tell you what a difference it makes, from the moment they walk in counseling to the moment they walk out—they hold their heads high," spokesperson Summer Willison said.

Make-A-Wish Foundation of TriCounties received $4,700. After accepting the donation, Director Shanna Wasson Taylor read a letter from a young girl diagnosed with a life-threatening illness whose wish was granted last year. Make-A-Wish sent the girl and her family to Florida to watch the space shuttle launch. The girl was thrilled to be able to eat lunch with an astronaut and tour NASA.

"One thing about Meadowlarks is you guys are just there every year," Wasson Taylor said.

She then presented the league with her organization's Shining Star Award, given to benefactors such as Disney that have donated at least $25,000 to Make-A-Wish in the past five years

Other organizations receiving donations include Adolfo Camarillo and Rio Mesa high school after-prom events, Camarillo Arts Council, Cancer Center of Ventura County at St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital, Friends of the Camarillo Library, Save Our Kids' Music, Ventura County Sheriff's Search and Rescue, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and the Alzheimer's Association.

"I love the work we do," Dalton said after the awards.