Ventura County Community Foundation Accepting Emergency Donations for Mountain Fire

The County of Ventura, in partnership with the Ventura County Community Foundation, has established an emergency fund accepting donations to support community members and local nonprofit organizations most affected by the Mountain Fire. The Ventura County Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund is open for giving at vccf.org/donate, and is dedicated to supporting individuals and nonprofit organizations that provide essential aid to those most affected in times of crisis. One hundred percent of contributions go directly toward relief efforts, focusing resources on those who need it most.

On Nov. 6, a wildfire broke outside of Moorpark following Santa Ana winds reaching 40 to 80 miles per hour. The fire has grown to 20,596 acres as of Nov. 8 according to VC Emergency, with 7% containment. VCCF has previously stewarded millions of dollars in donations for the Thomas, Hill, and Woolsey Fires, ensuring the funds had the most impact and supported those most affected. VCCF continues to monitor the status of the Mountain Fire, working with its nonprofit and government partners to best respond to the county’s needs.

"Through the Ventura County Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund, our community has a vital lifeline for those impacted by the wildfire,” said Dr. Sevet Johnson, CEO of Ventura County. “This fund stands as a testament to our county's unwavering commitment to provide swift and direct support to individuals and nonprofit organizations on the front lines of relief efforts. Ventura County is both compassionate and resilient, always ready to stand together and support one another in times of need.”

VCCF encourages all community members to stay informed and make safe decisions in the face of this emergency. Information on evacuation zones and shelters can be accessed at vcemergency.com or by calling (805) 465-6650.

“Ventura County has faced devastating wildfires over the years, but the resilience and generosity of our community is stronger,” said VCCF Board Member Leah Lacayo. “We are so grateful to the County of Ventura and our first responders for their heroic efforts to keep our community safe. Your community foundation is here to help, especially during times of disaster, and has set up this fund to support relief and recovery efforts.”

About VCCF

Established in 1987, the Ventura County Community Foundation has focused on building philanthropy in our region by stewarding legacies through careful management of the charitable capital entrusted to us. We are committed to a long-term perspective for Ventura County. We honor donor intent by protecting endowments forever and we specialize in connecting philanthropic resources with community needs for the benefit of all. We invest in the future through scholarships, grant making and collaborative partnerships. vccf.org

World Record LEGO Chain Event in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, September 27th

World Record LEGO Chain Event is taking place on Saturday, September 27th from 9 AM - 4 PM at Thousand Oaks City Hall.

We are attempting to break the Guinness Book of World Records by building the World Longest LEGO Chain. We need your help to do it.  We have over 100,000 LEGO bricks and need some families who love building with LEGOs to help us build it.

This charity event is a collaboration between the Conejo Recreation & Park District, Rotary International, and Play-Well TEKnologies to raise money to build a state of the art special needs playground at Old Meadows Park in Thousand Oaks.

By signing up to help build the world's longest LEGO chain, you will help bring this playground to the community.  To learn more and to register (only $5/participant), visit bit.ly/WorldLongestLEGOChainEvent

Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks Sunrise Spearheads New Special Needs "Dreamcatcher Playground" Project

Old Meadows Park at 1600 Marview Drive, Thousand Oaks houses the Therapeutic Recreation Unit of the Conejo Recreation and Park District, which provides recreation programs for Conejo Valley residents with disabilities. There is an existing special needs playground at the park but the playground needs to be expanded and refurbished. The popularity of this playground has steadily increased due to expanding awareness of the playground and its special features, the steady rise in incidence of autism.

Currently, there is opportunity to increase the square footage of the playground at Old Meadows Park. The Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks Sunrise is spearheading the effort to improve, modernize and expand the playground. Through careful research and a survey of the special needs community, the Rotary DreamCatcher Playground will be designed with great sensitivity to the needs, comforts and inclusion of special populations and their families.

The playground will include active and passive play areas allowing children to engage in stimulating activities, and areas to which they can retreat and calm themselves after anxiety-producing experiences while remaining close by to other children, parents or caregivers.

The goal is to raise $500,000 through funding partners and fundraising activities with the project completed in phases by 2016.

Would you like to learn more about this effort and find out how you can support it? Visit www.rotarydreamcatcher.org.

Free Pet Pantry for Needy Cats and Dogs in Ventura County

A free "Pet Pantry" program is open every Sunday in the east county due to the generous outpouring of donations that Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) has received from private residents, and regular contributions by local merchants including Wal-Mart and Do It Center.

The Simi Valley VCAS Pet Pantry is located at: 670 W. Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. or when supplies run out.

The Camarillo VCAS Pet Pantry is located at: 600 Aviation Avenue, Camarillo, Sundays from 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon or when supplies run out.

VCAS is accepting donations for this program, including cash, pet food, accessories and supplies.

Volunteers are needed to run the Pet Pantry Program, particularly at the Simi Valley location.  Interested individuals can contact the Animal Services Volunteer Coordinator at VCAS.Volunteer@ventura.org or call 805.388.4341.

For updates, visit www.vcas.us.

Janss Marketplace to Present $10,000 Donation to Conejo Recreation & Park District on November 19th

Multiple arts and teen programs will benefit thanks to a major donation from Janss Marketplace, which will be presented during a ceremony tomorrow, Friday, November 19 at noon at Janss Marketplace, located at 215 North Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony with leaders and families served through the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the Arts Council of the Conejo Valley. Janss Marketplace will present a $10,000 donation, which the center raised in just nine days from proceeds during the October Reign of Terror Haunted House. The Reign of Terror not only ranked as one of the top 10 Haunted Houses in the U.S., but also provided the center with the opportunity to donate much needed funds to the organizations.

The Young Artists Ensemble’s Conejo Theatre for Everyone program provides opportunity for youth to perform an annual fully-produced play or musical that draws high community attendance.  The donation from Janss Marketplace will provide financial aid for low income participants and help fund performance expenses

The Thousand Oaks Teen Center is operated through the cooperative efforts of the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the City of Thousand Oaks. The program benefits teens by providing a full service activity center and recreational programs.  The Janss Marketplace donation will help fund programs and purchase computer and sports equipment.

Janss Marketplace is professionally managed by NewMark Merrill Companies, LLC, which is owned by President and Chief Executive Officer, Sandy Sigal.  Since 1984 he has led NewMark Merrill in a community leadership role at the company’s shopping centers in more than 36 cities. For more information about the center, visit www.janssmarketplace.net or become a fan on Facebook.

For more information about the Conejo Recreation and Park District youth programs, contact Steve Wiley at 805.495.6471.

Janss Marketplace Presents $10,000 Donation to CRPD! CRPD Employees from L to R: Jim Friedl, General Manager; Brenda Coleman, Teen Services Director; Steve Wiley, Recreation Services Manager; John Short, Vice-Chair, CRPD Board of Directors; Scott Buchanan, Recreation Supervisor, Cultural Programs; Cecilia Laufenberg, Recreation Supervisor, Therapeutic Recreation Programs