Need continues all year long

Throughout the holidays pocketbooks opened up to benefit many in

need. Fortunately, around here, charitable souls don’t wait for

Thanksgiving and Christmas time to give.

All year long, charities based in Laguna work on events,

fundraisers and membership drives to raise money for important

causes.

The Friendship Shelter’s doors have been open since 1988 to those

in need of some food or warmth and time to get back on their feet.

The Artists in Need Fund has brought aid to people often living

without health care but with the same medical needs as the 9 to 5

set. This year’s Tie-One-On event raised $13,445 for the group.

For five years the Crosscultural Council has been working to

better the lives of the day workers around town, and therefore their

families, through a center on Laguna Canyon Road. They help match

workers with jobs and offer health education and English lessons

while they wait.

This year’s Pet Parade and Chili Cook-off raised more than $15,000

for the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, the Laguna Animal Shelter and

Blue Bell Cat Foundation, all important animal protection groups in

the city.

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center, for example, isn’t just a great

place to get an up-close look at sea lions. It is an organization

that saves marine animals all year. They save orphaned pups, sick

mamas and even big hulky papa sea lions.

Here’s to a great New Year to all and special blessings to those

who give of themselves for those in need.