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Volume 24 Issue 10
HOLIDAY EDITION 11/27-11/28
smdp.com
Locals thankful for loved ones and community
Thomas Leffler, St. Joseph Center
THANKSGIVING: St. Joseph Center in Venice recently gave out Thanksgiving meals to locals in need, and the nonprofit was presented with an award check by Bank of America. STAFF REPORT
Locals have plenty of reasons to be thankful this year. From city officials and education leaders to business owners and law enforcement, Santa Monicans pointed to friends and family as well as community as bright spots in 2024. The season of thanks was also felt at St. Joseph Center in Venice last week, as the nonprofit hosted its annual drive-through turkey giveaway, providing more than 1,600 Thanksgiving meals to individuals and families in need. The center was also honored with a Neighborhood Builders award from Bank of America that day, presented with a $200,000 check to expand community efforts such as the giveaway. The staff of the Daily Press wishes all of Santa Monica, Venice and the Westside a wonderful holiday, and leave you with Santa Monica locals’ own reasons for thankfulness this season. “I’m grateful for the Samohi Theatre Department; the students are talented, quirky, hardworking and kind to each other and it’s a joy to teach and direct them!” -Kate Barraza, Theater Director, Santa Monica High School “I am particularly thankful for our business leaders who not only create good jobs in Santa Monica but give back and serve the community in so many ways creating a vibrant place to live, play, and work.” -Judy Kruger, President/CEO, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce “I am grateful for love and friendship and their miraculous ability to heal in times of trouble.” -Rob Schwenker, Executive Director, Santa Monica History Museum “I am thankful for the incredibly caring, compassionate, and collaborative community of Santa Monica. I have deep gratitude for the unbreakable partnership between our families and staff in ensuring all our students are provided with everything they need to be successful.” -Christian Fuhrer, Principal, Grant Elementary School “I saw the official City of Santa Monica’s Instagram post on November 20th honoring transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of transgender violence, and it took my breath away. Thank you to my childhood hometown for creating a city that INCLUDES ALL; it’s a place where I still want to be a resident, I love raising my children in our public schools, and I get to build a small business to give back to my own community that has given me these opportunities. I am grateful that I am in this particular place, right here, right now. #SaMoPride” -Nicole Blaine, Owner/CEO, The Crow
“I am so thankful to work in the Santa Monica-Malibu USD for 24 years as the Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator as I plan to retire in June 2025. Also, I am so thankful for our dedicated visual, Performing Arts teachers, staff and students. I have had the pleasure of working with and watching the difference they make every day and the lives of our students! Lastly, I am thankful for such a supportive community that values arts education in our public schools! Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!” -Tom Whaley, Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator, SMMUSD “I am so thankful for our beautiful beach. Tower 24 has been the backdrop for so many important moments over the last 30 years. It has warmed my soul in good times and held my tears in bad... and all the in betweens. I am lucky for the privilege and grateful for the access to step on that sand and say, I live here.” -Meredith McCarthy, Director of Community Connection, Heal the Bay “We are thankful for four years of competent and ethical leadership from the Biden Administration, Vice President Kamala Harris for stepping up to run a strong campaign against impossible prevailing headwinds, and our local Democratic candidates for providing Santa Monica with the opportunity to become a beacon of hope for progressive governance during the uncertain times ahead of us.” - Santa Monica Democratic Club “Teaching is a journey of the heart. As teachers, we get to experience the challenges and the triumphs our students experience by their side. Being able to share those moments has been the biggest joy and honor of my life. I am thankful for sharing the gift of those moments with our students and being there also to accept them exactly as they are each and every day.” -Claudia Bautista-Nicholas, President, Santa Monica-Malibu Classroom Teachers Association SEE THANKSGIVING PAGE 7
Gary Limjap (310) 586-0339
In today’s real estate climate ...
Experience counts! garylimjap@gmail.com
www.garylimjap.com
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