PATRIOT OIL COMMUNITY BENEFIT TRUST FUND OF 2002
555 W. Redondo Beach Blvd. – Office 205, Gardena, CA 90248
Primary Purpose
The primary purpose of the POCBT2002 is to fund worthy projects that will protect, enhance, beautify, educate, reward or be of general benefit to the residents in the area within its established boundaries.
The North Valley Coalition’s Board (NVC) acting as the POCBT2002 fund’s Board will decide the merits and final amounts of any request by residents, community organizations, schools and parks located within its boundaries including any other organization or City and County departments that directly services, benefits or have a nexus with that area (i.e. fire & police).
Brief History
Formed on December 31, 2002 as the result of an agreement between the North Valley Coalition and Patriot Resources LLC in which both parties agreed to drilling four (4) additional oil wells, a limitation on the total number of oil wells in the Cascade oil field to no more than twenty-two (22), limited northerly drilling under the dump, and the establishment of a fund administered by the NVC for the benefit of the surrounding neighborhood. In return the NVC settled its appeal to the City of Los Angeles North Valley Area Planning Commission on August 15, 2002 in which it had opposed the additional wells. Several years later the oilfield was purchased by Castle Peak which was later renamed DCOR LLC. DCOR LLC has continued to honor the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and to fund the POCBTF2002.
Established Boundaries*
North: Sesnon Boulevard including all housing directly north of there. South: Lisette Street.
East: Balboa Boulevard. West: Meadowlark Avenue/Jolette Avenue.
*Note: all houses, organizations and institutions on both sides of any named streets are included, and any entity that directly services, benefits and/or has a nexus with any of those areas are also eligible.
Board Members (Past & Present)
The North Valley Coalition’s Board administers the POCBTF and all positions are mirror images of that organization.
NORTH VALLEY COALITION _______ ___ PATRIOT OIL COM BENEFIT TRUST FUND
Current:
Wayde Hunter (NVC President/ Board Member) (POCBTF2002 President/Board Member)
Ralph Kroy (NVC Board Member/Interim Treasurer) (POCBTF2002 Board Member/Interim Treasurer)
Meg Volk (NVC Board Member) (POCBTF2002 Board Member)
Bill Cotter (NVC Board Member) (POCBTF2002 Board Member)
Donna Zero (NVC Board Member) (POCBTF2002 Board Member)
Past:
Patrick Casparian (NVC Board Member) * (POCBTF2002 Board Member/Financial Advisor)
Ray Cote (NVC Board Member)* (POCBTF2002 Board Member)
Mary Edwards (NVC Spokesperson/Board Member) ** (POCBTF2002 Spokesperson/Board Member)
Barbara Iversen (NVC Board Member) ** (POCBTF2002 Board Member)
Mary Anna Kienholz (NVC Treasurer/Board Member) ** (POCBTF2002 Treasurer/ Board Member)
Kim Thompson (NVC Vice President/Board Member) * (POCBTF2002 VP/Board Member)
Anne Ziliak (NVC Board Member) * (POCBTF2002 Board Member)
Note: *no longer serving **deceased
Activities
The Board’s main job is to review requests for funds. A requestor is asked to either present an oral (optional) and/or a written presentation of the project to include its scope, exactly what is being requested, its benefits, who or what organization will directly benefit, a written estimate of the cost from a qualified supplier, and at least one additional quote (two preferred). If a project is properly presented, and all questions posed have been addressed; the Board will deliberate in the absence of the requestor and make a decision to fund or not to fund. The requestor will be notified in writing of acceptance (including any conditions*) or telephonically including reasons if rejected. If a project is deemed worthy but not complete, a Board member(s) volunteer(s), and/or is assigned by mutual agreement, and will assume the responsibility for reporting the status, and/or wrangling the project through to completion by providing the necessary information, co-ordination and legwork before it is returned for consideration. In some cases (if the Board deems necessary) it will negotiate and purchase of requested items/services in order to simplify and/or expedite the financial proceedings. On occasions, the Board will initiate a project itself. Under this arrangement, a Board member or members will fulfill the same requirements as the requestor (shown above), including securing the approval of the designated recipients.
*Note: One of the conditions in the acceptance letter if the check is made out to the grantee will require that they provide a letter and/or email to state that the project has been completed, and that the funds have been applied. If the Fund is paying for vendor(s) directly on behalf of the grantee to complete an approved project (typical), then this requirement is waived.
Program Service Accomplishments
2003
SCHOOLS (LAUSD) – Van Gogh Elementary School had an Autodialer and monitor donated for the school and local organizations use.
PARKS – An information kiosk was donated to City of LA Recreation & Parks Department for use in Bee Canyon Park.
COMMUNITY – The POCBT Board approved and hired a professional security company to patrol the entire area within Patriot Oil’s established trust boundaries on a daily basis during the evenings with special emphasis on O’Melveny Park’s parking area which had been experiencing vandalism problems.
2004
SCHOOLS (LAUSD) – Van Gogh Elementary School received funding for a Rose Garden and landscaping, plus a computer projector for the school and for local organizations use as well.
COMMUNITY – POCBT continued to provide a professional security company to patrol the entire area within Patriot Oil’s established trust boundaries on a daily basis during the evenings.
Funding for a Civic permit for a combined meeting with the City of Los Angeles Citizens Advisory Committee (SCL-CAC) & County of Los Angeles Department of Health Services was provided for a meeting that was held at the Van Gogh Elementary School.
2005
PARKS – The major project for this year was the funding of the restoration of the Ranch House in O’Melveny Park by the Los Angeles Recreation & Parks Department.
COMMUNITY – The POCBT approved funds for two flyers in the local newspaper announcing a County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health meeting, and the results of a County health study conducted in and around the fund’s established boundaries.
The annual Easter Egg Hunt conducted in O’Melveny Park by Los Angeles Recreation & Parks Department for the residents in Granada Hills was funded by the Board.
Our final project of the year was to fund the Porta-Potties for use at a “Day in the Park” at Bee Canyon Park sponsored by the Granada Hills North Neighborhood Council (GHNNC).
2006
SCHOOLS (LAUSD) – Van Gogh Elementary School funds for the orchestra were provided.
PARKS – The Board funded the trimming of fruit trees in O’Melveny Park and Bee Canyon Park by the Los Angeles Recreation & Parks Department.
COMMUNITY – The annual Easter Egg Hunt conducted in O’Melveny Park by Los Angeles Recreation & Parks Department for the residents in Granada Hills was funded by the Board.
MISCELLANEOUS – A project to fund the rental of a storage facility and the purchase of storage racks, cabinets for the ultimate use by community organizations within its established boundaries.
2007
SCHOOLS (LAUSD) – Van Gogh Elementary School bus trip to San Juan Capistrano & San Diego Wild Animal Park for 4th & 5th graders was funded along with matching funds for their Library Book Fund Raiser yearly event.
PARKS – The first project of the year and the major one was the funding the restoration of the Bunk House in O’Melveny Park by the Los Angeles Recreation & Parks Department. A night vision scope was funded and loaned to the Recreation & Parks resident Sr. Gardener at O’Melveny Park for his protection and use in nighttime enforcement of park rules.
COMMUNITY – Funding for planting poppies for Bee Canyon Park as sponsored by the Friends of the Park was also accomplished.
MISCELLANEOUS –We continued to provide free storage space at our Community Storage Unit for community organizations such as the GHNNC, and the SCL-CAC, which service our Trust’s area.
2008
SCHOOLS (LAUSD) – Van Gogh Elementary School was our major project this year with the funding and donation of twenty IMac computers to the school for their new computer lab. A Sibelius 5 Educational software was purchased and donated to them for writing music for the school orchestra.
Robert Frost Middle School percussion ensemble/orchestra was funded for a timpani section consisting of drums, gong and bell sets.
PARKS – O’Melveny Park was also a major project with the donation of one-half of the cost to regrade and restore the closed mountain trail/fire road from the end of the park to Mission Peak.
SCL-CAC – We started the year by funding a small account for copying and mailing purposes at a local copying business for the City of Los Angeles Community Advisory Committee – Sunshine Canyon Landfill (SCL-CAC).
COMMUNITY – The annual Easter Egg Hunt conducted in O’Melveny Park by Los Angeles Recreation & Parks Department for the residents in Granada Hills was funded by the Board.
We funded the planting and two-year watering program of 500 oak trees in O’Melveny, Bee Canyon and Zelzah Parks, and the co-ordination of the planting of an additional 500 oaks within a 3-mile radius of Sunshine Canyon Landfill with the oak trees donated by Browning-Ferris Industries (BFI) from their Nursery (which were left over from their mitigation program and were to be destroyed).
The year was culminated with a donation for the cost of P.O. mail box, and a small account for supplies for ACTION, a local non-profit group that were feeding and documenting lives of locally homeless persons.
MISCELLANEOUS –We continued to provide free storage space at our Community Storage Unit for community organizations such as the GHNNC, and the SCL-CAC, which service our Trust’s area.
2009
SCHOOLS (LAUSD) – Van Gogh Elementary School proposed a wish list which was subsequently fully funded to create a computer lab composed of twenty IMac computers, the paying of one-half of the salary of the school librarian who was being cut from the school by the LAUSD, and an additional ten portable MacBook computers that could be used school-wide.
Robert Frost Middle School also produced something of a wish list for their orchestra that was funded to provide the school with 2 French Horns, 100 Student Chairs, and mallets and 10 Bell Kits.
Van Gogh Elementary School had a small musical scholarship fund established for a limited time in order to encourage the children to take up music.
SCHOOLS (OTHER) – The North Valley Charter School in Granada Hills was given a grant to purchase a schoolyard shelter to provide relief from the summer heat for the students.
PARKS – O’Melveny Park’s project to prune, to remove, and to replace dead trees in the historic O’Melveny Grapefruit Orchard was also funded.
COMMUNITY – The first project in this year was the funding of the Los Angeles Radio Reading Service (LARRS) to repair, to update their computer system, and to restore transmissions after the transmitter they were using was destroyed in the Sesnon Fire.
That project was followed by funding the annual Easter Egg Hunt conducted in O’Melveny Park by Los Angeles Los Angeles Recreation & Parks Department for the residents in Granada Hills.
ACTION a small non-profit local group dedicated to helping improve the quality of life was funded for the purchase of a video camera to document homeless people in the area and to preserve their information.
The Friends of the Granada Hills Library received funds to purchase of books, computers, and education programs for the Petit Park Library.
Boy Scout Troop 549, who are located locally, were funded to create and install trail markers at O’Melveny Park.
ACTION given a small grant to provide books to the Los Angeles County, Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar.
The year ended by funding the Granada Hills Rotary Foundation for a memorial plaque to be placed at the Granada Hills Veterans Memorial Park.
MISCELLANEOUS – We continued to provide free storage space at our Community Storage Unit for community organizations such as the GHNNC, and the SCL-CAC, which service our Trust’s area.
2010
SCHOOLS (LAUSD) – Van Gogh’s Elementary School’s Wish List was funded for Part 2 (a computer server), Part 3 (for a part-time Yard Supervisor), Part 5 (supplies to implement various teaching programs), Part 6 (to provide library books), and Part 7 (to provide computer replacements, and all were accomplished at various times during 2010. Van Gogh Elementary School’s After School Music Scholarship Fund conducted by the Kadima Conservatory of Music was funded for a second school year in a row to assist with tuition to encourage the children to take up music.
Robert Frost Middle School received a series of funds for the following: 1) Bus trip to the African/American Museum of Art & USC for underachieving students. 2). Bus trip for school orchestra’s trip to compete at the interschool competition at Magic Mountain. 3). A Wish List for their tympany orchestra that was funded to provide the school with a Classic Chime, Cymbal Stand, Mallets), and a Crash Cymbal.
El Oro Way School, In an extremely trying year for all schools servicing our Trust’s area, was granted monies for a Wish List Part 1 (an auditorium projector), and Part 2 (a mobile computer station consisting of a cart and four MacBook computers).
PARKS – O’Melveny Park was a major recipient of funds this year for the following projects: 1). replace 2000-feet of damaged and burned fencing with woodcrete fencing which was completed just before the end of the year 2). Grapefruit Orchard Project was funded to assist the Recreation & Parks Department to prune, remove dead trees, and replace them with new ones.
SCL-CAC – A fund was established to help the City & County of Los Angeles, Sunshine Canyon Landfill-Community Advisory Committee (SCL-CAC) with copying and extra meeting expenses until they were able to secure their own funding. As a part of helping the SCL-CAC, the Trust provided a meeting place, food and refreshments for a Special Meeting to facilitate a creating a budget, and to arrangements for their own independent funding.
COMMUNITY – We continued to fund the Annual Easter Egg Hunt by the Los Angeles Recreation & Parks Department for the residents in Granada Hills, which is normally conducted in O’Melveny Park but was temporarily moved to Petit Park.
Donations were made to MEND and the Union Rescue Mission which serve the San Fernando Valley in the Trust’s name to honor Board Member, Mary Edwards who passed in December 2009.
Eagle Scout Leadership Projects for Boy Scout Troops 415 & 549 were both funded to help beautify Bee Canyon Park with Los Angeles Recreation & Parks Department approval.
A fund was established for the Granada Hills North Neighborhood Council (GHNNC) to help fund previous commitments that they had made to local organization which supported the Trust Fund’s area, which they were unable to meet due to budget cuts by the City of Los Angeles. As a result an additional donation was made to support the GHNNC promise the Annual Easter Egg Hunt in Granada Hills.
In a very special request, a guaranteed $18,000 fund for the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Parade 2010 was established in order to prevent the event from being cancelled, to allow planning to be initiated, and to pay for the costs of traffic control which had previously been born by the City but was being cut due to budget cuts.
MISCELLANEOUS – We continued to provide free storage space at our Community Storage Unit for community organizations such as the GHNNC, and the SCL-CAC, which service our Trust’s area. The year was ended by entering a parade float in the name of the Patriot Oil Trust Fund who had been identified as a major sponsor of the Chamber of Commerce’s 2010 Holiday Parade.
2011
SCHOOLS (LAUSD) – Van Gogh Street Elementary School provided a Wish List for 2011. As a part of their requests a Konica Minolta Copier for the office and Instructional Materials for all grades was provided. Van Gogh Elementary School’s After School Music Scholarship Fund conducted by the Kadima Conservatory of Music was funded for a third school year in a row to assist with tuition to encourage the children to take up music.
Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences (VAAS) were provided with trash/recycling receptacles for their grand opening.
Robert Frost Middle School was funded for several bus trips. The first of these was for the orchestra to Visit Disney Hall in Los Angeles followed by the school orchestra’s trip to compete at the Interschool Music Competition at Magic Mountain in Santa Clarita (which they won). Robert Frost Middle School also produced a Wish List for their orchestra that was funded to provide the school with violins, cases, bows, mallets, and a marimba.
PARKS – O’Melveny Park was our major project this year with the following projects: 1). woodcrete fencing completed this year with an additional 330-feet of fencing added to the cost of the 2000-feet already installed at the end of 2010. 2). repaired all bridges. 3). had the sedimentary material that had previously been removed from the park’s flood control areas and stored in lower parking lot, removed and recycled to one of the City’s garden centers. 4). A much-needed Utility Cart for O’Melveny Park was funded and paid for through the LA Parks Foundation, although due to Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department delays, O’Melveny had not received it by years end. Note: A small portion of these above repairs and their costs were also made in Bee Canyon Park, which is adjacent to the entrance to O’Melveny.
LAFD – Fire Station #18’s Wish List of items needed to replace worn out equipment such as the refrigerator, dishwasher, and exercise equipment was completed.
MISCELLANEOUS – A guaranteed $18,000 fund for the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Parade 2011 continues to be set aside in order to pay for the costs of traffic control should the City decide to charge them. We continued to provide free storage space at our Community Storage Unit for community organizations such as the GHNNC, and the SCL-CAC, which service our Trust’s area.
2012
SCHOOL (LAUSD) – Robert Frost Middle School received a series of funds for the following: 1). Funded a bus trip to Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles for band members. 2). Funded the bus trip to the Interschool Music Competion in Valencia for the school orchestra (which they won for a second year), and a bus trip the next day to Magic Mountain for the band members. 3). Funded a Marimba for the Percussion Ensemble. 4). Funded half the cost of a performance stage for the school Orchestra. 5). Funded a performance of the St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble at the school.
Van Gogh Street Elementary School now LAUSD Van Gogh Charter School received a series of funds for the following: 1). Funded Van Gogh’s “After School Music Scholarship Fund “conducted by the Kadima Conservatory of Music for a fourth school year in a row to assist with tuition to encourage the children to take up music. 2). Funded one-half of the donated matching funds for a SMARTBoard. 3). Funded ten IMac Computers for the school’s computer lab. 4). Funded cables, locks, and supplies for the school’s computer lab. 5). Funded St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble performance at the school. 6). Funded five Mac Computers for the front office staff.
Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences (VAAS) received a series of funds for the following: 1). Funding for the dance studio’s Matlay mats. 2). Funding for the dance studio’s for four ballet barres.
PARKS – O’Melveny Park which is owned by the City of Los Angeles was again the major receipient of funds with a number of projects as follows: 1). Funded necessary repairs to three bridges within the park. 2). Funded the installation of a wrought iron fence w/gate at the entrance to the park, in order to prevent public access to the Bull Creek drainage while allowing for sediment removal. 3). Funded the restoration of the Loop and Lookout Trails,by fine grading both, installing twenty-four pressure treated steps, and eight water bars. 4). Funded the installation of eight river rock monuments with granite plaques throughout lower part of park to mark the various hiking / riding trails. 4). Funded the restoration of the Lower Picnic Trail bridge substructure and decking, including the addition of an ashphalt roadway over its span. 5). Received previously funded Utility Cart.
COMMUNITY/SAFETY AWARENESS – Granada Hills North Neighborhood Council (GHNNC) which is a City certified group, administered by the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment/Board of Neighborhood Commissioners was assisted by co-sponsoring the following: 1) The Summer Social as a co-sponsor as part of their outreach program to enroll new members. 2). A California Emergency Reponse Team (CERT) Program as a co-sponsor to train residents how to respond to disasters.
MISCELLANEOUS – A guaranteed $18,000 fund for the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Parade 2012 continues to be set aside in order to pay for the costs of traffic control should the City decide to charge them. We continued to provide free storage space at our Community Storage Unit for community organizations such as the GHNNC, and the SCL-CAC, which service our Trust’s area.
2013
PARKS – We started the year by funding the partial restoration of the Grapefruit Orchard in O’Melveny Park plus other projects at the park through the year as follows: 1). Landscaped a portion of the entrance adjacent to the pedestrian walkway from Sesnon Boulevard. 2). Installed security system for the park entrance and its parking area, including the playground area in Bee Canyon Park directly adjacent. 3). Asphalted the Upper Picnic Trail Bridge to compliment the previous repairs made in 2011. 4). Installed two new combination water fountains/pet drinking stations in the upper part of the park. 5). Funded the installation of a swamp cooler in the ranch house.
SCHOOLS (LAUSD) – Van Gogh Charter School received a series of funds for the following: 1). Continued funding Van Gogh’s “After School Music Scholarship Fund” conducted by the Kadima Conservatory of Music for the 2013 – 2014 school year to assist with tuition to encourage the children to take up music. 2) Funded school’s ongoing Wish List through the school’s PTO.
Robert Frost Middle School received a series of funds for the following: 1). Funded a bus trip to Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles for band members. 2). Funded the bus trip to the Interschool Music Competition in Valencia for the school orchestra, and a bus trip the next day to Magic Mountain for the band members. 3). Funded a Music Storage Cart for the Percussion Ensemble. 4). Funded a performance of the St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble at the school. 5) Funded the cost of an Accompanist for several months for the newly formed school choir through the school’s PTSA.
Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences (VAAS) received funding for a button maker kit.
COMMUNITY/SAFETY AWARENESS – Granada Hills North Neighborhood Council (GHNNC) which is a City certified group, administered by the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment/Board of Neighborhood Commissioners, was assisted by co-sponsorship of the following: 1) The Summer Social as a co-sponsor as part of their outreach program to enroll new members. 2). A California Emergency Reponse Team (CERT) Program as a co-sponsor to train residents how to respond to disasters.
The Granada Hills Business Improvement District (GHBID) were given funds to assist them in their efforts to beautify the corner of Chatsworth Street/White Oak.
Granada Hills Youth Recreation Center (GHYRC) Golf Tournament was sponsored by Patriot Oil in order to assist them in raising funds for their organization.
MICELLANEOUS – A guaranteed $18,000 fund for the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Parade 2013 continues to be set aside in order to pay for the costs of traffic control should the City decide to charge them. We continued to provide free storage space at our Community Storage Unit for community organizations such as the GHNNC, and the SCL-CAC, which service our Trust’s area/
2014
SCHOOLS (LAUSD) – Van Gogh Charter School received a series of funds for the following: 1). Funded Van Gogh’s After School Music Scholarship Fund conducted by the Kadima Conservatory of Music for a fifth school year in a row to assist with tuition to encourage the children to take up music. 2). Refurbished the existing Computer Lab (which we originally funded) with twenty new IMac computers plus programs. 3). Added new projectors and document cameras.
Frost Middle Charter Middle School’s Percussion Ensemble was provided with a Yamaha Arius Piano Console and Bench, and Gibraltar Drum Shield T Panel. We also provided funding for buses to Music in the Parks Competition, Magic Mountain Trip, Disney Community Arts Showcase, and Disney California Adventure for school year 2014/15.
Kennedy High School was also a recipient of drums, gong, xylophone, cymbals, marimba, vibraphone and covers and stands for their Marching Band.
Valley Academy Arts & Sciences (VAAS) received funding for a number of projects. 1). Funding for accommodation for student competitors and their parents/chaperones at the 2014 Robotics Competition. 2). Funding for their Lifecycle program to assist the needy using various elements such as, the farmers market, app creation, and community dinners.
Once again, we funded the St. Petersburg Men’s Choir (a Russian performing choral group) to sing at the Robert Frost Secondary School, and Van Gogh Elementary School in Granada Hills.
PARKS – Bee Canyon Park Children’s Playground owned by the City of Los Angeles was our major project this year with the removal of excess sand (which was a hazard and maintenance nightmare), the installation of new rubber matting to replace the sand, the construction of a new sandbox, additional new climbing structures, and a large shade awning structure over the original climbing equipment. Los Angeles Recreation & Parks Department added additional benches, and a new table as a part of the improvements. A new combination water fountain/pet drinking station was funded and installed at the bridge entrance to the children’s park.
O’Melveny Park owned by the City of Los Angeles is still one of the major recipients of funds with a number of projects as follows: 1). Repaired trail damage washout caused by creek on the lower portion of the Grotto Trail. 2). Installed self-locking and opening security doors on the Men’s and Women’s restrooms in the park to eliminate costly vandalism that had been occurring at night. 3). Cleared and improved the Nature Trail trailhead including the addition of steps.
LAFD – Fire Station 18 was provided with a replacement portable cooler for their exercise area.
COMMUNITY/SAFETY AWARENESS – Co-sponsored a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program with the Granada Hills North Neighborhood Council (GHNNC), and we also provided funding to their VDP Team for the 2014 Valley Disaster Preparedness Fair.
MISCELLANEOUS – A guaranteed $18,000 fund for the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Parade 2014 continues to be set aside to pay for the costs of traffic control should the City decide to charge them. We continued to provide free storage space at our Community Storage Unit for community organizations such as the GHNNC, and the SCL-CAC, which service our Trust’s area.
2015
SCHOOLS (LAUSD) – Local Los Angeles Unified School District schools were our main focus this year. The American Heart Association was funded to teach CPR training for 2015/16 school year by providing twenty-six CPR Multi-Use Kits to Granada Hills Charter School, John F. Kennedy High School, and Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences (VAAS). Due to the sustainability of the kits use for up to three years, this grant has the potential to train approximately 8,037 faculty, staff, and students in one year and up to 24,000 over three years. In addition, Kennedy also received a public address system for their marching band, and VAAS banners and portable A-frame signs. Robert Frost Middle School received help on many projects such as: i). funding for buses to support their Music Department activities (i.e. Music in the Parks Competition, Magic Mountain Trip, Disney Community Arts Showcase, and Disney California Adventure for school year 2015/16). ii). funded a performance of St Petersburg Choir. iii). provided funds for a temporary accompanist for the Choir. iv). Funded early reservations for Worldstrides Heritage Performance Program for the 2016 Choir competition. v). music stands, drum sticks, self-storage cart/chairs, additional microphones for the public address system. Van Gogh Elementary Charter School received funding for their After School Music Scholarship Fund conducted by the Kadima Conservatory of Music for a sixth school year in a row to assist with tuition to encourage the children to take up music.
PARKS – O’Melveny and Bee Canyon parks, which are both owned by the City of Los Angeles, closely followed the school funding with several major projects funded and completed: i.). video security system was expanded to in order to enhance the project which we had started one year previously. ii). a combination water fountain/pet drinking station installed to complete the project of replacing all of the existing water fountains started one year earlier. iii). provided a chainsaw and accessories for R&P’s use in both parks.
CITY/COUNTY SCL-CAC – Co-funded a portion of a Waste Characterization Study initiated by the Sunshine Canyon Landfill-Community Advisory Committee to assist the Committee and the community in determining the nature of the waste deposited at the landfill and its potential to generate odors.
COMMUNITY/SAFETY AWARENESS – Co-sponsored the 2015 Valley Disaster Preparedness Fair, provided funding for handouts, and assisted them in incorporating. Co-sponsored a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program with the Granada Hills North Neighborhood Council (GHNNC).
MISCELLANEOUS – A guaranteed $18,000 fund for the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Parade 2015 continues to be set aside in order to pay for the costs of traffic control should the City decide to charge them. We also provided free storage space at our Community Storage Unit for community organizations such as the GHNNC, Valley Disaster Preparedness Team, and the SCL-CAC, which service our Trust’s area, as well as community members who have material such as documents or letters that are being disposed of but are worthy of saving for posterity. We continue to provide several loaner file cabinets to the GHNNC. Lastly, we purchased five 13’ x 13’ pop up canopies expressly to loan out to needy organization and/or community events upon request.
2016
SCHOOLS (LAUSD) – Local Los Angeles Unified School District schools were once again our main focus. Kennedy High School received funding for drums and covers for their marching band. Robert Frost Middle School received help on many projects such as: i). funding for buses to support their Music Department activities (i.e. Music in the Parks Competition, Magic Mountain Trip, Disney Community Arts Showcase, and Disney California Adventure for school year 2016/2017). ii). funding for early reservations for Worldstrides Heritage Performance Program for the 2016 Choir competition. iii). funded a complete sound system for the entire music program. Van Gogh Elementary Charter School received funding for their After-School Music Scholarship Fund conducted by the Kadima Conservatory of Music for a seventh school year in a row to assist with tuition to encourage the children to take up music. A sad note to add to this program is that this will be the last year. The LAUSD’s increased requirements for insurance at the school resulted in the balance of the program being suspended by Kadima, and which we subsequently funded so that children could complete the year at Kadima itself.
SCHOOLS (OTHER)- St. Euphrasia Catholic School received funding for their Curriculum Learning Program.
PARKS – O’Melveny Park, which is owned by the City of Los Angeles, had its trail system mapped. Plans to fund and to create a new kiosk to post the new maps have not yet been completed.
LAFD – Funded Fire Station 18 repairs and upgrades to office, captain’s dormitory and bathroom, kitchen, and apparatus floor area.
COMMUNITY/SAFETY AWARENESS – Co-sponsored the 2016 Valley Disaster Preparedness Fair. Funded the Rotary Club’s Veterans Park Christmas Tree Lighting project. Also funded Fire Station 18 Station Improvements project. Co-sponsored a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program with the Granada Hills North Neighborhood Council (GHNNC).
MISCELLANEOUS- A guaranteed $18,000 fund for the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Parade 2016 continues to be set aside in order to pay for the costs of traffic control should the City decide to charge them, although this year we also allowed a drawdown of funds to assist in defraying costs related to the parade We also provided free storage space at our Community Storage Unit for community organizations such as the GHNNC, Valley Disaster Preparedness Team, and the SCL-CAC, which service our Trust’s area, as well as community members who have material such as documents or letters that are being disposed of but are worthy of saving for posterity. We continue to provide several loaner file cabinets to the GHNNC.
2017
SCHOOLS (LAUSD) – Robert Frost Middle School received help on projects such as: i). funding for buses to support their Music Department activities (i.e. Music in the Parks Competition, Magic Mountain Trip, Disney Community Arts Showcase, and Disney California Adventure for school year 2017/2018). ii). funding for early reservations for Worldstrides Heritage Performance Program for the 2017 Choir competition. iii). Proved funding for tuxes and gowns for the choir. Provided Van Gogh Elementary School with a performance of the St. Petersburg Men’s Choir.
PARKS – O’Melveny Park, which is owned by the City of Los Angeles, had additional lighting and security cameras funded by us in order to deter car burglaries which were occurring in a part of the parking area that thieves thought was unprotected by our original security syst
COMMUNITY/SAFETY AWARENESS – – Co-sponsored the 2017 Valley Disaster Preparedness Fair. Funded contractor to remove dead eucalyptus trees along Sesnon Boulevard which were posing a safety hazard to neighbors (trimming of other overgrown eucalyptus trees to be completed early next year).
MISCELLANEOUS- A guaranteed $18,000 fund for the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Parade 2017 continues to be set aside in order to pay for the costs of traffic control should the City decide to charge them, although we allowed an additional drawdown of funds to assist in defraying costs related to the parade. Participated in the Granada Hills Street Fair 2017 by supporting the Rotary Club and being a sponsor for the Octoberfest. Provided additional funding to the Holiday Parade Committee for funding for trophies. We also provided free storage space at our Community Storage Unit for community organizations such as the GHNNC, Valley Disaster Preparedness Team, and the SCL-CAC, which service our Trust’s area, as well as community members who have materials such as documents or letters that are being disposed of but are worthy of saving for posterity. We continue to provide several loaner file cabinets to the GHNNC.
2018
SCHOOLS (LAUSD) – Robert Frost Middle School received help on projects such as: i). funding for buses to support their Music Department activities (i.e. Music in the Parks Competition, Magic Mountain Trip, Disney Community Arts Showcase, and Disney California Adventure for school year 2018/2019). ii). funding for early reservations for Worldstrides Heritage Performance Program for the 2019. iii). Funded buses for their Choir’s trip to San Francisco, including replacement gowns and tuxes. Iv). Tuba for orchestra. v). for Frost for a special trip for the Mariachi Band. Funded bus trip for John F. Kennedy High School so that their choir could compete. Also provided Kennedy High with capes to complete their new Marching Band uniforms, and with monies for the same for new instruments. Provided funding through the Knollwood United Methodist Church to provide Frost Middle School and Van Gogh Elementary School with a performance of the St. Petersburg Men’s Choir.
PARKS – We have not had any requests for funding so far this year, and the removal of two dead trees in Bee Canyon Park was performed by the R&P Department at our request.
COMMUNITY/SAFETY AWARENESS – Co-sponsored the 2018 Valley Disaster Preparedness Fair booth at the Granada Hills Street Faire as a way to bring information to our community since the VDPF has now moved to Northridge. However, we did provide funding for laptops for their 12th Annual Disaster Preparedness Faire in Northridge, and loaned 10×13 pop-up tents for same.. Also provided a bridge loan to them to help defray costs associated with same, when some sponsors were late in providing funds. Completed the trimming of overgrown eucalyptus along Sesnon Boulevard after previously removing dead eucalyptus trees which were posing a safety hazard to neighbors last year. Co-sponsored a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program with the Granada Hills North Neighborhood Council (GHNNC). Provided funding for uniforms and equipment for the Devonshire Volunteer Surveillance Team’s bicycle unit. Diamond Sponsor for Granada Hills Rotary Foundation’s Oktoberfest 2018. Platinum Sponsor for North Valley YMCA’s Thanksgiving Baskets 2018 program. Provided funding for Granada Hills Foundation/Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce for youth trophies and judges for the 35th Granada Hills Holiday Parade 2018.
MISCELLANEOUS- A guaranteed $18,000 fund for the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Parade 2018 continues to be set aside in order to pay for the costs of traffic control should the City decide to charge them, although we allowed an additional drawdown of funds to assist in defraying costs related to the parade. Donated to the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation in memory of Yvonne Karukas a member of our community who recently passed away. We also provided free storage space at our Community Storage Unit for community organizations such as the GHNNC, Valley Disaster Preparedness Team, and the SCL-CAC, which service our Trust’s area, as well as community members who have materials such as documents or letters that are being disposed of but are worthy of saving for posterity. We continue to provide several loaner file cabinets to the GHNNC.
2019
SCHOOLS (LAUSD) – Van Gogh Elementary School was our major project for the year with the purchase of laptop computers for the teachers, Chromebook carts for class storage and transportation of computers, and desktop computers for their library.
Robert Frost Middle School received continued help on projects such as: i). funding for buses to support their Music Department activities (i.e. Music in the Parks Competition, Magic Mountain Trip, Disney Community Arts Showcase, and Disney California Adventure for school year 2018/2019). ii). Funded the entire Festival Competition Trip to San Diego for the Advanced Choir and Strings.
Funded bus trip for John F. Kennedy High School so that their choir could compete.
PARKS – Took the lead to gather community support, to petition the R&P Department, and to fund a sign renaming the Children’s Playground in Bee Canyon Park in honor of the late Mary Ellen Crosby (also known as the Park Lady for her years of service protecting Bee Canyon and O’Melveny Parks).
COMMUNITY/SAFETY AWARENESS – Continued support of the Southern California Preparedness Foundation and their 13th Annual Disaster Preparedness Faire in Northridge, by loaning them 10’ x 13’ pop-up tents for same, and by providing them a bridge loan to help defray costs associated with same, when some sponsors were late in providing funds. Also co-sponsored a presentation of Earthquake Preparedness in Granada Hills by the renowned Dr. Lucy Jones of the USGS.
Removed the last two surviving eucalyptus trees along Sesnon Boulevard which had died after being trimmed last year in an effort to preserve them but were now posing a new safety hazard to neighbors.
Co-sponsored a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program with the Granada Hills North Neighborhood Council (GHNNC).
Funded the American Heart Association to provide schools in Granada Hills (Granada Hills High, John F. Kennedy High, Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences, Robert Frost Middle School, Patrick Henry Middle School, Van Gogh Elementary, and Granada Hills Elementary School) to provide instruction and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training and CPRIS and CPR Anytime kits.
Provided funding for uniforms and equipment for the Devonshire Volunteer Surveillance Team’s (VST) bicycle unit, including funds for the same for the Supporters of Law Enforcement Devonshire (SOLID).
Platinum Sponsor for North Valley YMCA’s Thanksgiving Baskets 2019 program.
Diamond Sponsor for Granada Hills Rotary Foundation’s Oktoberfest 2019. Provided funding for Granada Hills Foundation/Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce for youth trophies and judges for the 36th Granada Hills Holiday Parade 2019. Also provided the Chamber funding for Granada Hills Street Faire 2019.
MISCELLANEOUS- We continue to guarantee a replenishment of the $18,000 fund set aside for the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Parade 2019 in order to pay for the costs of traffic control should the City decide to charge them. We have allowed an incremental drawdown of this fund to $9,000 in 2021 to assist in defraying costs related to the parade.
We continue to provided free storage space at our Community Storage Unit for community organizations such as the GHNNC, Valley Disaster Preparedness Team, and the SCL-CAC, which service our Trust’s area, as well as other community members who have materials such as documents or letters that are being disposed of but are worthy of saving for posterity. We also continue to loan three 4-drawer file cabinets to the GHNNC.
2020
We know that you must be sick of hearing about COVID19, but our donations and/or support to schools, parks and other organizations et cetera were drastically reduced due to governmental restrictions, which impacted their usual fund-raising activities and/or resulted in the cancellation of their events.
PARKS – Our major project this year was funding the Recreation & Parks Department (R&P) to restore the security camera system in O’Melveny Park in the parking area and in the Bee Canyon Children’s Park area after the Saddleridge Fire destroyed them; a system which we had originally funded. We look forward to assisting R&P in future when they replace the ranch house and bunk house facilities which were also destroyed, and to further extend a replacement security system to that area as well.
SCHOOLS (LAUSD) – Due to COVID-19 shortening the school year, the only school requesting funds was John F. Kennedy High School for electronic keyboards, so that they could be loaned to their music students, so that they could continue to practice at home.
COMMUNITY/SAFETY AWARENESS – Continued to support the Southern California Preparedness Foundation and their 14th Annual Disaster Preparedness Faire at Northridge by contributing to their fund-raising efforts to produce a Virtual Faire to replace it due to COVID-19.
Funds were originally provided to the American Heart Association to provide schools in Granada Hills (Granada Hills High, John F. Kennedy High, Valley Academy of Arts & Sciences, Robert Frost Middle School, Patrick Henry Middle School, Van Gogh Elementary, and Granada Hills Elementary School) with instruction and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training. However, due to COVID-19 and the shortened school year, there were left over CPR Anytime kits, which were instead by agreement, redistributed to local organizations and churches.
Platinum Sponsor for North Valley YMCA’s Thanksgiving Baskets 2020 program.
Provided funding for the Granada Hills Rotary Foundation’s fund-raising efforts to provide COVID-19 relief in the form of equipment and lunches to local and Valley hospitals, police and fire stations after their Oktoberfest 2020 was cancelled.
MISCELLANEOUS- We continue to guarantee a replenishment of the $18,000 fund set aside for the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Parade in order to pay for the costs of traffic control should the City decide to charge them, even though the 2020 parade was cancelled because of COVID -19 and held virtually instead. We continue to allow for an incremental drawdown of this fund to $9,000 in 2021 to assist in defraying costs related to the next parade.
We continue to provide free storage space at our Community Storage Unit for organizations such as the GHNNC, Valley Disaster Preparedness Team, and the SCL-CAC, which service our Trust’s area, as well as other community members who have materials such as documents or letters that are being disposed of but are worthy of saving for posterity. We also continue to loan three 4-drawer file cabinets to the GHNNC.
2021
COVID19, continued to impact schools, parks and other organizations and resulted in the cancellation of some of their events and/or curtailed their usual fund-raising activities.
PARKS – We did not fund any major projects this year for the Recreation & Parks Department (R&P), however, we did host the dedication ceremony for the Mary Ellen Crosby Children’s Playground in Bee Park that had been delayed for over a year after we had organized the R&P approval and had funded the new signage in 2020.
SCHOOLS (LAUSD) – The only school requesting funds was John F. Kennedy High School for their Global Leadership & Environmental Action Magnet Green Space Project (GLEAM), which along with a curriculum on the environmental, climate based, and human rights facing communities locally will also create green spaces and provide training to students using raised irrigated gardens where students can gather and also raise vegetables.
COMMUNITY/SAFETY AWARENESS – Provided funding to the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce’s Street Faire 2021 and continue to be a Platinum Sponsor of their Holiday Parade 2021.
Provided funding for the Granada Hills Rotary Foundation’s fund-raising efforts to provide COVID-19 relief in the form of equipment and lunches to local and Valley hospitals, police and fire stations. Also provided additional funding as a Diamond Sponsor for their Oktoberfest 2021 fund raising project.
Platinum Sponsor for North Valley YMCA’s Thanksgiving Baskets 2021 program.
Provided funding to the Supporters of Law Enforcement Devonshire (S.O.L.I.D) for uniforms and equipment for use by our local police volunteers at the Devonshire Division.
Provided funding to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW 2323) to prevent their closure by the City for health reasons by remodeling their kitchen.
Continued to support the Southern California Preparedness Foundation by providing free storage for their equipment at our community storage unit.
MISCELLANEOUS – We continued to allow the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce to do an incremental drawdown from the original $18,000 fund which we established, and they maintain, in order to pay for the costs of traffic control should the City decide to charge them. This fund will be reduced to $9,000 in 2021 and was used for the past 4 years in defraying costs related to the Holiday Parade, and with our guarantee to replenish the $18,000 fund should it become necessary.
We continue to provide free storage space at our Community Storage Unit for organizations such as the GHNNC, Valley Disaster Preparedness Team, and the SCL-CAC, which service our Trust’s area, as well as other community members who have documents or letters that are being disposed of but are worthy of saving for posterity. We also continue to loan three 4-drawer file cabinets to the GHNNC, and canopies to the Valley Disaster Preparedness Team.
2022
COVID19, continued to impact schools, parks and other organizations and resulted in the cancellation of some of their events and/or curtailed their usual fund-raising activities.
PARKS – We did not fund any major projects this year for the Recreation & Parks Department (R&P).
SCHOOLS (LAUSD) – The only school requesting major funding this year was the Robert Frost Middle School for chairs and storage racks for their gymnasium.
COMMUNITY/SAFETY AWARENESS – One of our other major projects this year was to provide funding to the Veterans of Foreign Wars to re-roof VFW Post 2323.
We continued to provide funding to the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce’s Street Faire 2022 and continue to be a Platinum Sponsor of their Holiday Parade 2022.
Provided funding for the Granada Hills Rotary Foundation as a Diamond Sponsor for their Oktoberfest 2022 fund raising project.
We were again a Platinum Sponsor for the North Valley YMCA’s Thanksgiving Baskets 2022 program.
Continued to support the Southern California Preparedness Foundation by providing free storage for their equipment at our community storage unit.
MISCELLANEOUS – We continued to allow the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce to maintain a $9,000 fund in 2022 to be used should the City start charging for the cost of traffic control related to the Holiday Parade, with our guarantee to replenish the fund to $18,000 fund should it become necessary.
We continue to provide free storage space at our Community Storage Unit for organizations such as the Valley Disaster Preparedness Team, and the SCL-CAC, which service our Trust’s area, as well as other community members who have documents or letters that are being disposed of but are worthy of saving for posterity. We also continue to loan three 4-drawer file cabinets to the GHNNC, and canopies to the Valley Disaster Preparedness Team.
2023
The major project so far this year was to provide funding to the Devonshire Volunteer Citizens Patrol for uniforms and equipment for use by the local police volunteers at the Devonshire Community Police Station.
Revised WH 04/10/2023