BRIEFLY IN EDUCATION

Parents Club celebrates four years with party

More than 300 attendees took part in the Laguna Beach Parents Club’s Fourth Anniversary party at El Morro Elementary School on Sunday where they played games and grooved with Justin Roberts and his band, the “Not Ready for Naptime Players.”

The “all-star” family band labeled by People Magazine as “on-your-feet fun and laugh-out-loud funny,” who have received multiple national awards, including a five-time Parents Choice Gold Award, performed kid-friendly rock music for all to enjoy.

The carnival also featured traditional carnival games with prizes, face painting, Zoomar’s petting farm, fire truck rides, a Surfrider Foundation’s interactive watershed booth and a silent auction.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Laguna Beach PTA.

‘Giving Gala’ raises $150,000

More than 270 attendees supported the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach at its ninth annual “Art of Giving Gala” at the Montage Resort on May 8.

“This year’s theme was ‘Escape to Paradise’ and it truly was a wonderful evening where everyone came together in support of the community’s youth,” said Michelle Ray, development director at the club.

“The event netted $150,000, which will go directly toward maintaining the quality youth enrichment programs that have been built up over the last half century,” she said.

Guests were greeted by Pat Quilter on his ukulele, enjoyed a traditional hula dance performance by pre-schoolers, and learned from staff members including Board President Bob Whalen about the importance and influence of the Boys & Girls Club.

A highlight of the evening was $45,000 earned by the “Shining Star” program, which directly supports quality after-school programs, educational assistance, sports leagues, summer camps and leadership opportunities for youth ages 3 to 18.

Executive Director Pamela Estes was delighted that 128 guests purchased stars in support of the program.

“I am overwhelmed by the compassion our community showed [that] night. Their sincere support, even in light of a challenging economic environment, demonstrates an understanding that by investing in young people today, all of our futures will be brighter tomorrow,” she said. “Every child whose life is enriched through the Boys & Girls Club makes the world a better place for us all.”

For more information about the club, call (949) 494-2535x103 or visit www.bgclaguna.org.

Students collect cell phones for soldiers

Top of the World and El Morro Elementary Schools are participating in a joint PTA community service project, Cell Phones for Soldiers Community Service Project. The organization collects old cell phones and uses the money raised to provide U.S. troops overseas with prepaid calling cards. Student council members from both schools will help collect used phones from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday in the district parking lot, 550 Blumont St.

For more information about the joint community service project, contact El Morro PTA President Lynn Gregory at lynnthomas gregory@gmail.com or Top of the World PTA President Kimberly Knill at kimberlyknill@mac.com. For more information about Cell Phones for Soldiers, visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com.

Laguna girl is ‘Lemonhead’ winner

Kalani Gee, 7, from Top of the World Elementary School, was part of a “Meet Megan McDonald” author event on April 26, organized by the Laguna Beach Library and the Aliso Viejo Library.

Gee won the “Guess how many Lemonheads” game and received 1,313 Lemonhead candies as her prize. She later donated the Lemonheads to send to troops overseas, through her orthodontist, Dr. John DiGiovanni.

El Morro Elementary students donate to RUFF

Last April, after running in El Morro Elementary’s Jog-a-thon, 125 students donated $1,150 of their prize money to RUFF (Rescuing Unwanted Furry Friends) a local nonprofit animal rescue organization.

Each year El Morro’s PTA selects a charity to give students the opportunity to forgo their prizes and contribute to a worthy cause.