Project Cuddle Gets $25,000 From Neiman Marcus

The Neiman Marcus Foundation awarded a grant of $25,000 to Project Cuddle, an organization that rescues abandoned babies through a confidential 24-hour hot line. The gift will be used to hire a full-time employee to handle crisis calls and cases. The money will also fund the printing and distribution of materials that offer help to teens across the country.

Project Cuddle has rescued 152 babies since Debbe Magnusen launched the nonprofit organization three years ago from her Costa Mesa home. Kelly Cole, vice president and general manager of Neiman Marcus in Fashion Island Newport Beach, presented the check to Magnusen on Thursday. (714) 432-9681.

The Gay & Lesbian Community Services Center of Orange County received a $20,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation. The center provides activities to foster community understanding of gender, cultural diversity and sexual orientation as well as services to ensure the physical, psychological and social well-being of the gay, lesbian, transgender and HIV/AIDS-affected community. (714) 534-0862; e-mail: CenterOC@millenia.com

The Serra Project, an HIV/AIDS housing provider, has been awarded a grant of $91,250 from the Sisters of St. Joseph Healthcare Foundation of Orange. The grant will be used to furnish 28 apartments and homes that the agency will lease for homeless men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS. (213) 413-0306.