Gifts and Grants Awarded by Pasadena Showcase House
Pasadena High School Jazz Band
$770,000 of the proceeds from the Pasadena Showcase House of Design has been distributed to local music groups and educational groups as part of the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts Gifts and Grants program.
At a reception, held at this year’s house, President of the group, Joy Sullivan, introduced Kathy Feely, this year’s Gifts and Grants Chairman, who in turn presented the 40 non-profit organizations and community schools that would receive a portion of the distribution. Delise Menik, Benefit Chairman of the 2008 Pasadena Showcase House of Design congratulated each recipient. The Pasadena High School Jazz Band entertained.
The lucky 40 selected to receive grant money were chosen from 62 applicants. They represent diverse programs such as music education in schools, music therapy for children with disabilities, concerts, and even musical instruments.
Feely expressed her delight at her appointment as Gifts and Grants Chairman, saying, “Chairing the PHSA Gifts and Grants Committee is certainly one of the most rewarding positions I’ve held in the organization. Nothing is more gratifying than giving financial support to so many deserving programs, especially right now when the needs are greater than ever. I sincerely hope that the public will continue attending the Pasadena Showcase House of Design each year so that PSHA can continue giving financial support to the arts for many years to come.”
The forty groups receiving grant money are: A Place Called Home; The Altadena Children’s Choir; Braille Institute; Classical KUSC Radio; C.O.O.L. – Thomas Edison Elementary School Booster Club, Burbank; Crowell Public Library, San Marino; Don Bosco Technical Institute; Education Through Music, Los Angeles; Friends of Levitt Pavilion; Hillsides; K.L. Carver Elementary School PTA, San Marino; La Cañada High School Choral Parents; Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra; Los Angeles Opera Company; Maranatha High School; Pasadena Community Youth Orchestra; Alhambra Unified School District; Blair International Baccalaureate Magnet School, Pasadena; CalPhil Foundation/California Philharmonic Orchestra; The Coleman Chamber Music Association; Crescenta Valley Arts Council; Don Benito Fundamental School PTA; Downey Symphonic Society; Field Elementary School, Pasadena; Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services; Institute of Art Music and Science; LACA Music Foundation; Los Angeles County Museum of Art Museum Associates; Los Angeles Master Chorale; Los Angeles Philharmonic Association; Odyssey Charter School; Pasadena Conservatory of Music; Pasadena High School Instrumental Music Club; Pasadena Senior Center’s Crown City Symphony Orchestra; Shakespeare League of Pasadena’s All-Star Community Orchestra; Verdugo Young Musicians Association; Los Angeles Opera Guild; Pasadena Symphony Association; Southwest Chamber Music; and Villa Esperanza.
Other awardees for contributions to organization include: Alhambra/San Gabriel American Association of University Women; Cañada Auxiliary of Professionals of Assistance League of Flintridge; Committee of Professional Women; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Friends of the Pasadena Playhouse; Montebello Monterey Park AAUW; Pasadena AAUW; San Marino Area Auxiliary of Five Acres; Teen Futures; The Green House; Verdugo Hills Showtime Chorus Affiliates at-large; College Women’s Club of Pasadena; Delta Kappa Gamma, Omicron Chapter; Foothill Philharmonic Committee; Long Beach Auxiliary for the Los Angeles Philharmonic; NZ Chapter of P.E.O.; Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center Sisterhood; Shakespeare League; The Glendale Committee for the Los Angeles Philharmonic; and Trojan Affiliates.
Applications for the 2010 Gifts and Grants program will be available in June, 2009. PSHA’s website provides details. Visit www.pasadenashowcase.org.
Side Story: Around 2003 a couple came upon the Gifts and Grants 
reception. The “mystery couple” from Sierra Madre who are known only as Deanna and John, were so taken with the PSHA program and the worthiness of the recipients of the grants, they have attended every year, even shortening a vacation to congratulate the winners. An official with the PHSA tells us, “They love the cause and where the money goes. John always has tears in his eyes.”
By Bill Peters
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