Chamber celebrates non-profits

(Cont'd. from Pg. 1) and is a strong supporter of the Lakewood/Long Beach Relay for Life. "We're looking forward to celebrating our non-profits and highlighting everything that they do for the Lakewood community. Nonprofits give back every single day; there is a lot of truth to the saying that time is the most valuable thing you can give someone. It will be our honor to celebrate and recognize lo- cal non-profits for the work that they do in Lakewood."

Local non-profits will be receiving a personal invite from the GLCC, and its co-sponsors early this month. Every nonprofit will be invited to have a table at the mixer where they can promote the work that they do, resources they provide, and also to recruit new members to their service club.

The idea was spearheaded by GLCC Vice Chair Joanie

Dixson, who is also First Vice President of F&M Bank. Dixson is also a member of the Soroptimists Club and serves on the LakewoodYMCA Board. "Like the Rotary Club motto, 'Service Above Self,' is one of F&M's core values, too," she said. "I don't just believe it, I live it," she said. "It is our honor to celebrate the people and the clubs, who volunteer their time to enhance the community by putting service before themselves. This is our way of giving back to all of the volunteers who make Lakewood a wonderful family."

The City of Lakewood's Leadership Academy will be a co-host of the August Mixer. Deputy City Manager Paolo Beltran, who oversees the Leadership Academy, said he heard about the idea and wanted to make sure the City could participate in honoring and celebrating Lakewood Service Clubs.

Lakewood Mayor Steve Croft, who is a member of the Lions Club, said, service clubs are a major part of what makes Lakewood a strong, caring community.

"This mixer is a great way to honor those clubs and to introduce more residents to what the clubs do," said Mayor Croft. "Hopefully more residents get involved in them as a way to give back to their community."

Pathways cultivates friendships after grief

The loss of a loved one can leave you crushed, depleted, and hopeless. It’s a feeling none of us can escape.

But nothing prepares you for the unexpected, the loss of your life partner. When we marry, we vow “til death do us part”, but so often we do not think about those words becoming reality. That was the question once asked by Alma Egan, a member of the Widows Support group at Pathways. When Alma first joined the group meetings after the death of her husband, she was distraught. The purpose of the Pathways Widows Support group is to uplift those dealing with loss. One of the ways members are encouraged to help themselves is by helping others. As they say, “When you put good into the world, something good comes back to you.” For Alma, that meant becoming a Volunteer at Pathways She was also recognized recently as the Bereavement Volunteer of the Year. Stories like Alma’s resonates with so many others. It illustrates the impact that Pathways’ programs. As a 501(c) 3 community-based nonprofit, the mission at Pathways is to always provide compassionate care to those dealing with illness and loss. There is no fee for services. Pathways aims to be your trusted friend through life’s toughest moments, whether that involves a caregiving companion, hospice respite, or grief support, Pathways has a program for you.

For more information on Pathways programs and services or to become a volunteer or donor, please call 562-531-3031 or visit www.pathwayshospice.org