News Release

The Fundraising arm for the Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council offers a new approach to community activism.

Hollywood -- Hollywood Neighborhood Charities (HNC), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Hollywood residents and especially its youth, today announced its new mission and board members. Formerly known as Hollywood Youth Charities, this newly reformed organization is focused on fund-raising to support the goals and projects of the Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council (CHNC).

Said Debbie Webhe, President of the Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council, "Hollywood Neighborhood Charities represents a new and important trend in community activism. More communities in L.A. and across the nation are doing exactly what we are: affiliating with non-profits so that we can affect positive change in our neighbor-hoods. For the first time, we can directly and quickly address needs in our community
-- such as planting trees in a park, adding lighting to a street or providing scholarships to at-risk kids.

"The programs funded by HNC augment the monies allocated by the CHNC, resulting in even more programs, projects and improvements for our neighborhoods. It's exciting to see the difference we can make."

For more information contact: John Brown at (323) 957-2255 - johnbrown@dslextreme.com

Helping the Hollywood Community

The first three among the many projects already underway for HNC are:

● Improvements to the Hollywood Recreation Center
● Sponsorship of the Noguera and Mansfield community gardens
● Funding for the fifteenth annual Hollywood National Night Out

In addition, HNC has partnered with the Community After School Program (CAP) to provide funding for 60 kids to attend after school programs this summer. A bonus is an invitation to a ballgame at Dodger Stadium -- complete with box seats and lunch.

Additional projects include music and art grants, a donation to the De Longpre Intergenerational Art Center and sponsorship of summer swim teams.

Supporting the Community Since 2001

The predecessor organization to Hollywood Neighborhood Charities was Hollywood Youth Charities, founded in 2001. During the subsequent four years, that organization gave over $500,000 in grants to local charities including the Police Activities League, Boys and Girls Club, H.E.L.P., L.A.C.E.R., YMCA, Project Angel Food, Sunset Junction Neighborhood Alliance, and The Gay and Lesbian Services Center. In addition, the charity sent 100 children and their families to the Ringling Brothers Circus.

Last year, Hollywood Youth Charities sponsored the Hollywood National Night Out, a local version of an annual national event. National Night Out partners local police departments and neighborhoods in an ongoing effort to keep their communities safe; this year's event will feature a street festival with food and entertainment.

Volunteer!

Hollywood Neighborhood Charities is actively seeking volunteers, additional board members and funding. For more information, please contact us at (323) 465-659.