Representatives of schools and nonprofit organizations from throughout the area came together at Sunset Beach last week as the women’s group Las Damas handed out more than $40,000 in educational and organizational support grants.
For over 50 years, Las Damas has hosted the Annual Sunset Beach Art Festival to raise money to hand out to art teachers and other nonprofits serving local communities.
“This is easily our most prized evening of the year because we get to hear directly from our donation recipients,” said Lisa Marie Moreo, president of Las Damas.
“The impact that our funding was able to make for their organizations and the people of our community,” said Moreo.
“Their stories always touch us, sometimes we laugh and sometimes we cry, but we’re always reminded why we do this and why we are all so proud to be a part of Las Damas.”
Monica Brady, Chairwoman of the group’s Philanthropy Committee, who presided over the awards ceremony, thanked the nonprofit executives and art teachers who attended the ceremony, held at the Sunset Beach Community Center.
To the nonprofit organizations who were awarded grants this year, Brady said “thank you to all of our charities for your outstanding and dedicated hard work and your compassion to help others in need,” she said.
“You truly are angels to provide a second chance for others, and for changing their lives for the better. We are grateful for what you do every single day,” she said.
To the art teachers, education administrators, and other program officials, Brady said, “teachers have a huge responsibility, not only to teach our young students, but to help in preparing them for their future.”
“Many times,” she said, “teachers are not recognized for the many talents they instill in our children, nor do teachers realize how important is the role they play in their students’ lives,” said Brady.
Brady then summarized the good work of each organization celebrated and supported by Las Damas in 2024, including the following schools and organizations:
Nonprofit organizations
• Waymakers Huntington Beach Youth Shelter, Nancy Galeana, program director.
• Thomas House Family Shelter, Shakoya Green, director of Development.
• Precious Life Shelter, Theresa Murphy, president/CEO.
• Casa Youth Shelter, Jessica Hubbard/CEO.
• Nami of OC, Amy Durham CEO, Stephanie Rocha, director of Finance.
Schools
• Huntington Beach High School, Garret Stryker and Matt Harwood, art teachers.
• Marina High School, Mike Dowdell, Art Department Director.
• Dwyer Middle School, Courtney Ries, art teacher and author.
• Smith Elementary School, Maria Ashton, principal and Timarie Sicoli, front office manager.
• Los Alamitos High School, Karissa Ferrell, visual arts manager.
• Oak Middle School, Carrie Harbour, art teacher.
• McGaugh Elementary School, Wendy Wood, principal, Anya Cappon, art teacher and Leslie Obert, Pageant director.
Each grant awardee then gave brief overviews of their organization’s program or classes supported by Las Damas, explaining how the financial support was being used.
Las Damas officials say grants to art departments are critical to support the teaching of art in an era when administrative support for many art programs has been eliminated.
Las Damas is a volunteer women’s non-profit organization that promotes the arts, philanthropy, and education. Las Damas contributes 100% of the profits from the Sunset Beach Art Festival to local public schools, local non-profit organizations, and continuing education grants for local residents.
“Join us Mother’s Day weekend for two days of creativity, community, food and entertainment at this beachside unique event,” urged Las Damas President Lisa Marie Moreo.
This year marks the 56th annual Art Festival, slated to be held May 11 and 12, 2024.
