Often we are caught up in the excitement and fun of the special events put on by our community and do not realize the effort and support that goes into such an event. In this instance, I am referring to the Chili Cook-off and Carnival put on by the Kiwanis Club of Malibu. The members of our community may or may not be aware of how hard the members of the club work for months to put on this three-day event. Believe me, they do, as do many of their family members! I thank all the members of the Kiwanis Club of Malibu and their families for their hard work and time.
This event is not just an effort to raise money for the youth programs, project and many other things we support but it is a coming together of our community to enjoy each other and recognize the many valuable things that go on in Malibu daily. Without the involvement and support of the community, we would not succeed. To that end, I would like to recognize and thank the individuals and groups who gave of their time and professional experience to assist in this great weekend.
I wish to extend special thanks to the Malibu Association of Contractors (MAC): Mark Armfield, Scott Hailey, Steve Stobaugh (Terry Lumber), Roger Trivette, Frank Braggiotti, Kevin Peterson, Martha Galisky, Gary Wannacott, Gerald Lemonier (Malibu Glass), Bill Kane, Linda Yannetty (Landscape), Russ McFadden (Pacific West Electric), Richard Sherman (Topanga Underground), Malibu Lumber, Jeffrey Hronek and their children. Your professional and personal help was a blessing.
A big thank you also goes to the following groups who worked to raise money for their programs and the youth who came not only to have fun but to earn community service hours and support our event. An additional thank you goes to the many individuals and agencies who made me look good: The Explorer Scouts, the Malibu High School Cheerleaders, Boy Scouts (leader Mr. Tarek), Pepperdine Volunteers, D.J. & Tampa Fobert & family, Judy & Bill Hatch & family, Malibu Little League, Malibu Pony Baseball, the Girl Scouts (Cherie Larson and Point Dume), the Malibu Rotary Club, School on Wheels (Agnes, Nick, et al.), Foundation for the Junior Blind (Debra and the gang), Pacific Bell Pioneers, Malibu Presbyterian Church, Our Lady of Malibu, Point Dume Marine Science School PTA, Don Kowalewsky, Malibu High School Athletic Booster Club, Arson Watch, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Posse, Craig Ewing (City of Malibu planning director, and planner Meredith Elguira and Rick Morgan of Public Works), Arnie Fielding (L.A. County Mountain & Rural Sanitation), Los Angeles County Sheriff (Thom Bradstock), L.A. County Fire Prevention Bureau, Stations 88 & 125, city of Malibu staff, Judge Lawrence Mira & staff, Malibu Bay Co. & staff, Adale and the guys and special lady Jordan at Malibu Tow, Lyle Michaelson and all of our security team, Malibu Chamber of Commerce (for fielding all the calls and giving out info), Mr. Dalbey (Caltrans), Mark Olson (Edison), Tony Meripol and the crew at GTE, Roy Bros., Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and ISD, Malibu Feed Bin, Bank of America (David Byron, VP Malibu), Brian Hepburn (Bank of America), L.A. County Lifeguards (medical services).
Thank you Wolf for all your hard work and the $14.95 ties. A loving thank you to John Grams (1999 chili chairman) for spending all those work hours setting up the site and working the car.
The support of corporate sponsors is important as well. Thank you GTE, Malibu Travelstore, Budweiser, Zuma Jay, Malibu Tow, Bank of America and Pepsi. Your generosity and help is appreciated.
To the community: No successful event is done by one person. Credit and praise must be given to many. I personally thank all of you for all you have done. Because of the efforts put forth at the cook-off, the Kiwanis Club was able to fund over $30,0000 for programs in the week immediately following the cook-off. Support the efforts of the Kiwanis Club and other service clubs in our community for they provide much to our children and town. Have your children participate in the programs we support and volunteer to help. It feels terrific. When you see these individuals around town say “thanks” for helping the children and other special programs and for assisting in helping the Kiwanis Club of Malibu hold a successful event.
Marissa Coughlan
president
Kiwanis Club of Malibu