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November 2014 Lafayette Community Foundation
Lafayette Today ~ January 2014 - Page 25
Serving the Lafayette Community
By Fran Miller
The Lafayette Community Foundation (LCF) celebrates its 15 anniversary this month, and its Thanksgiving-time inception date is not lost on its beneficiaries. A multitude of organizations have given thanks over the years to LCF for their financial support. Town Hall Theatre, Las Trampas, Inc., the Lamorinda Spirit Van, and the Lafayette Library and Learning Center (LLLC) are just a few of the many who have benefited from the work of the LCF and its board. The LLLC would actually not exist if not for the LCF, which was initially created in 1999 as a vehicle to raise funds for the state-of-the-art facility. The group, then led by president Anne Grodin, initiated the most successful grassroots fundraising campaign in Lafayette’s history. The Library building, at 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., is a testament to LCF’s fundraising fortitude. Once that project was completed, though, the LCF was forced to reinvent itself as a supporter of the greater community. “We did have a slight identity crisis after the Library was built,” says current board president Sereta Churchill, who admits that people Members of the vocation-diverse, multi-generational Lafayette Community Foundation Board. were initially confused about LCF’s post-Library purpose. The board initially elected to fund a few marquee projects, such as the Lafayette Reservoir stage, which was completed in conjunction with Lamorinda Sunrise Spread Kindness – It’s Contagious! By Jody Morgan Rotary. And, since 2009, LCF has sponsored the annual Senior Maria Haswell woke up one morning in February 2009 wanting to perform Symposium. But the organization has also settled into a valuable some random acts of kindness. Her online search found no area organizations that role as a funder of smaller, varied ventures, investing in programs matched her vision. Encouraged by husband Mark, Maria gathered a small group and projects that enhance the civic, cultural, educational, and environmental health of Lafayette and, occasionally, beyond. Since 2000, LCF has given more than $300,000 in grants. “When we look back at our 15-year record, it is quite an eyeth
See LCF continued on page 20
Community Thanksgiving Breakfast
The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce invites you to join city leaders, residents and the business community for breakfast as we have done for 35years. The 36rd Annual Community Thanksgiving Breakfast will be held on Friday, November 21, from 7am – 8:30am at Our Saviors Lutheran Church at 1035 Carol Lane in Lafayette. Breakfast will be graciously provided by Dave’s Cuisine. This Spread Kindness launches their mission at Central Park, San Ramon. Photo courtesy of Spread Kindness. event is our way of bringing the community together before of like-minded locals. Taking on a life of its own, the project grew, suggesting the we all get too busy with the holidays. M.J. Marggraff (author, need for a formal structure. In January 2010, the Haswells registered Spread Kindspeaker, Mission Support Representative for Virgin ness as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit. They wanted their gestures to be community-based, galactic spaceflight) is this year’s featured guest but they soon found their local acts had a global reach. Kindness is contagious, speaker and our Chamber President Stacy Spell spreading a spirit of generosity that gives back to the donor while reaching out to will take care of the MC duties. Music will be embrace countless strangers. provided by harpist Wendy Tamis. During the first event Spread Kindness organized at San Ramon’s Central Park, This event is held each year in the loving memory of Barbara Bupp, volunteers distributed flowers and treats and performed additional small acts of kind- who organized the first breakfast 35 years ago. ness. A group of friends the Haswells nicknamed “Dream-Team” helped brainstorm a Begin the holiday season in a variety of ideas including paying for the person in line behind you for coffee, tipping significant and meaningful way. well and leaving a compliment, and dropping off flowers with a thoughtful note at a Reservations can be made by calling Volume VIII - Number 11 See Kindness continued on page 19 the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce 3000F Danville Blvd #117 Alamo, CA 94507 at 925-284-7404 or by visiting our Telephone (925) 405-6397 PRSRT STD website at www.lafayettechamber. Fax (925) 406-0547 U.S. Postage editor@yourmonthlypaper.com org. The cost is $20 per person. PAID Local For more information, Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher Permit 21 Postal Customer opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and contact Jay Lifson, Executive The Lafayette, CA do not necessarily reflect that of Lafayette Today. Lafayette Director, Lafayette Chamber of Today is not responsible for the content of any of the adECRWSS vertising herein, nor does publication imply endorsement. Commerce at 925-284-7404.