Seven years ago, Madonna Slattery was a newcomer to Malibu’s Point Dume Community, but today she is the chair of the annual Point Dume Block Party and Fundraiser for the L.A. County fire, sheriff, lifeguard and other service organizations in this beach neighborhood.
“When I first moved out here, I realized I didn’t know my neighbors and decided to throw a block party,” Slattery said. “It was my husband’s idea to include a fundraiser for the Fire Department, which was just down the corner. I’d never done this before in my life, and it’s become bigger and bigger every year and everyone has fun.”
Among Sunday’s events, which took place at the Malibu Community Center at Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School, were a best-dressed luau contest, a rock climbing wall, live music, crafts and, of course, a barbecue, hot dogs and ice cream. But the real point of the afternoon was for the community to meet and help support its own rescue teams and law enforcement department.
Fire Department Captain Leary of Fire Station 71 on Pacific Coast Highway said he was able to get a fax machine and glucometer for his department with funds raised in the past. The fax helps get important messages out quickly to the hill and beach community and the glucometer speeds up testing in rescue situations by determining if an unconscious person is suffering from diabetes.
“Whatever we get from this fundraiser winds up going right back into serving this community,” Leary said.
For Captain Tom Martin of the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station, the fundraiser has enabled his department to add equipment to its beach team as well fix the trailer they use as a command post.
“This is just a great event and Madonna works so very hard to put it on,” Martin said. “What I like is that the community gets to know my deputies on a personal basis,” he added.
Representatives from his station were there from the STTOP group, which is the Sheriff’s Teen Traffic Offender Program; the STARS unit, a proactive educational group helping kids avoid drugs, and the Equestrian Volunteers on Patrol, which is a posse unit.
“It’s a way to give back to all those who risk their lives for the community on a daily basis and is good for kids who come out and volunteer,” Slattery said.