Pasadena and its surrounding communities proudly support an extensive network of non-profit service and cultural agencies, all quietly doing amazing work. To help create a broader awareness
of their contributions and accomplishments, the Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF) honored several of these institutions at its January 26 th annual Celebration of Local Heroes held at the University Club of Pasadena. Attended by approximately 150 donors, agencies representatives and volunteers, this Celebration opened with a large-screen visual depiction of the work and activities of the 50 local agencies which last year shared the $560,000 in grants distributed by the Pasadena Community Foundation. Over its 51 year-old history, the Foundation has distributed approximately $28 million to nonprofit service agencies and cultural institutions working to improve the quality of life in our local communities.

Among those agencies briefly sharing information about how PCF grants have assisted in facilitating its mission was the Pasadena Educational Foundation which has received $500,000 from the Pasadena Community Foundation since 1999. Another agency anxious to share its story was the Community Health Alliance of Pasadena (CHAP) which has used a $50,000 PCF grant to continue providing much-needed health and dental services to low-income families.

This 2005 Local Heroes Celebration also honored two retiring Pasadena Community Foundation Board members, Mina Byrne and Peggy Phelps both of whom served ten years on the PCF Board. As a token of appreciation for their service to both the Foundation and the community, PCF awarded each a $10,000 grant to donate to the charity or charities of their choice.

The Executive Director of the Pasadena Community Foundation, Jennifer DeVoll, acknowledged the contribution of donors and public service agencies attending this Local Heroes Celebration. She reminded them that “PCF is a vehicle for connecting people to causes they care about. Its mission is to build perpetual support for this community and to improve the lives of all who live here.”

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