CONCORD
The Concord-based nonprofit group White Pony Express (WPE) has launched a campaign to collect and distribute gift cards to the survivors of the Los Angeles County fires.
Gift cards will offer recipients the flexibility to address their unique needs during this challenging time, and each card will be accompanied by a heartfelt, hand-written message of love and support. The public is encouraged to share the word about WPE’s gift card campaign.
“A gift card allows individuals to make their own choices about what they truly need. Many people receive gift cards over the holidays they’d like to donate; others can provide practical gift cards they feel are most needed at this time,” says Eve Birge, WPE’s chief executive officer.
Gift cards for those impacted by the Los Angeles County fires can be mailed to the attention of Eve Birge or dropped off at WPE’s headquarters (2470 Bates Ave., Suite D, Concord CA 94520). Email WPE’s volunteer coordinator at Volunteer@whiteponyexpress.org to learn about card-making opportunities and other volunteer projects.
— WPE
WALNUT CREEK
Cat rescue group’s ‘Love Stinks’ fundraiser runs until Feb. 14
This year, Community Concern for Cats (CC4C) is embracing the sentiment that sometimes “Love Stinks,” so join CC4C’s anti-Valentine’s Day campaign now through Feb. 14! With a $10 donation, you can name an “unspecial someone” to be written on a paper heart and placed in kitty litter at our adoption site to be buried.
It’s not just about sour relationships, though — if something else in your life stinks (like cancer, diet culture or any burden), let’s “bury” it together. As an all-volunteer nonprofit, CC4C relies on donations to rescue and care for homeless cats. From spay/neuter surgeries to lifesaving medical care, your support gives them a second chance.
This year, we’ve seen a heartbreaking rise in abandoned friendly cats and kittens, making your help more crucial than ever. Turn those stinky feelings into a force for good! To donate, visit communityconcernforcats.org/love-stinks-fundraiser online.
— CC4C
Community Arts Foundation seeks new board members
The Community Arts Foundation (CAF) in Walnut Creek is seeking dedicated new board members to help ensure that arts education is available to everyone regardless of financial background.
CAF board members will directly affect the lives of Contra Costa County students, providing scholarships for youth, adults and seniors at the Center for Community Arts. The need is great, with many scholarship recipients designated as “extremely low-income.”
Working together, driven by our motto of “Arts for All,” the foundation is dedicated to bridging this gap. In addition to fundraising work, board members will play a vital role in advocating for arts awareness and access throughout the county.
The foundation needs individuals with social media and marketing skills and welcomes expertise in fundraising, accounting or simply a passion for community service and the future of arts and culture. Foundation members look forward to connecting with applicants.
The CFA encourages prospective applicants to support their mission and help them bring creativity and inspiration to their entire community. For more information and to apply, email the CFA’S development director, Cole Portocarrero, at colep.caf@gmail.com or visit commartsfoundation.org online.
— CAF
Garden club meeting Feb. 10 in Gardens at Heather Farm
The Walnut Creek Garden Club (WCGC) will hold its free monthly meeting Feb. 10 in The Gardens at Heather Farm, in Walnut Creek’s Heather Farm Park at 1540 Marchbanks Drive.
Registration will start at 9:15 a.m. followed by a brief meeting; a break at 10:15 a.m. with complimentary tea, coffee and snacks; and then an educational program entitled “Cora Metivier: Behind the Scenes at the Bouquets to Art.”
Member and ikebana enthusiast Metivier will share her experiences as a participant in the 2024 Bouquets to Art at San Francisco’s de Young Museum. The club welcomes the public to visit their meeting and join them. For more information, visit walnutcreekgardenclub.org online.
— WCGC
BRENTWOOD
Apply in February for high school intradistrict transfers
To balance enrollment among the comprehensive school sites in the Liberty Union High School District (LUHSD), attendance areas for Liberty, Freedom and Heritage high schools have been established.
Students who live within the LUHSD boundary but would prefer to attend a school that is not designated for their residential area must apply for an intradistrict transfer. February is the “open enrollment” period for students and parents to complete intradistrict transfer requests for the 2025-26 school year.
Decisions regarding these requests will be made by May 15, 2025. Intradistrict transfer request forms are available online in February at www.luhsd.net. For any questions, contact Valerie Noble at 925-634-2166, ext. 2021.
— LUHSD
MARTINEZ
Hidden Valley Elementary honored for waste reduction efforts
The Sustainability Resources Department of the city of Martinez bestowed an Eco Award on Hidden Valley Elementary School’s waste reduction efforts during 2024. The award is in acknowledgement of the school’s efforts to keep materials out of the landfill by properly composting and recycling under the leadership of Principal Tosi.
Fourth-grade teacher Rebecca Campos coordinates the campus recycling program through her class, which picks up and returns recycling bins around the entire campus of roughly 800 students each week. Her students have run this program for a number of years to help ensure school recyclables don’t go into landfills.
Sara Young teaches enrichment to about 265 fourth- and fifth-graders at Hidden Valley Elementary, and all of her classes took part in an organics program that includes learning about composting; volunteering in a rotation to be on the Compost Crew; and weighing, calculating and providing school-wide updates on how much compostable weight has been diverted from landfills. The school’s fourth- and fifth-graders have composted more than 500 pounds.
— Sara Young
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