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Local Voices

The Torrey Pines Kiwanis Foundation Donates $50,000 to Fund City of San Diego Disabled Services Programs and Scholarships

The Torrey Pines Kiwanis Foundation (TPKF), producers of the La Jolla Festival of the Arts (LJFA), announced a donation of $50,000 to the Disabled Services Advisory Council, which supports the City of San Diego Park & Recreation Department Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS). 

This gift will be distributed over two years by TPKF to TRS, who provide sports, recreation, leisure and outreach services to San Diegans with physical, cognitive and psycho social disabilities. “We are so thankful for the generous donation and continued support from Torrey Pines Kiwanis,” said Therapeutic Recreation and Senior Services District Manager Kristi Fenick. “This funding will enable TRS to expand recreational/sporting opportunities for children and adults with disabilities, while enhancing their quality of life and increasing their self confidence.” 

The first check of $25,000 was presented Friday, March 21 at the LJFA special event held at Monarch Fine Art of La Jolla. Torrey Pines Kiwanis Foundation President Peter Ballantyne presented the donation to Francis Barraza, representing Mayor Kevin Faulconer and TRS’ Fenick. “We’re delighted to make a commitment of $50,000 to the City of San Diego’s TRS programs,” said Ballantyne. “We strongly believe in the programs and the people that this funding will benefit. This gift will increase the Torrey Pines Kiwanis Foundation’s total donations to $150,000 to the City over the last 20 years.” 

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The special event attracted over 100 guests, and was hosted by the Monarch Fine Art of La Jolla gallery. Gallery owner Elsie Arredondo presented internationally-renowned artist Andre Desjardins for a special art exhibition, as well as live entertainment, delicious appetizers, fine wine and Stone Brewery craft beer.  

The TPKF, part of the Torrey Pines Kiwanis Club, is committed to empowering San Diegans with disabilities and paralyzed veterans to live beyond their disabilities. To help fund over 30 adaptive sports, recreation and education programs, TPKF produces the annual La Jolla Festival of the Arts, which has raised over $1.7 million, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting San Diegans with disabilities.

Torrey Pines Kiwanis 

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The La Jolla Festival of the Arts started as a small fundraiser for the Torrey Pines Kiwanis Club in 1987 and has since evolved into one of California’s top fine arts festivals. LJFA is a fine arts festival presenting nearly 200 of the West’s best artists in painting, sculpture, photography, glass, jewelry, ceramics, wood, fiber and mixed media. Guests enjoy delectable cuisine and live music in a scenic environment, where they can stroll with a glass of wine or craft beer while interacting with the artists. The Festival, now in its 28th year, will be held on June 21 and 22 at UC San Diego’s Warren Field. 

The Torrey Pines Kiwanis Club meets every Wednesday morning at the Torrey Pines Christian Church on La Jolla Scenic Drive.  

For more information about the Torrey Pines Kiwanis Foundation and Club, or to buy tickets to LJFA, visit www.ljfa.org. LJFA is funded in part by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture.
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