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Way back when, in 1996 when I started working for the Foundation, the very first grant that I recommended was for Para Los Ninos. (How can twelve years have gone by so fast?) All those years ago, it was a pretty small place – mostly day care and early childhood education for the families in the Skid Row area. Boy, has it grown!
Now they have two charter schools, after-school programs, classes and programs for adults, special programs for teens – and of course, day care and pre-school programs. Para Los Ninos is remarkable, and a lot of the credit goes to the terrific staff and administration. Many thanks are due to my friends there, Amy Schweiger, Evelyn Ramirez-Schultz and Blythe Cotton Maling (who recently retired to take care of her new daughter). Of course, I need to mention Miki Jordan who was the Woman-In-Charge at PLN for years (she’s now at Junior Blind of America) and the new and totally wonderful President, Giselle Acevedo.
We’ve been making grants and supplying books to Para Los Ninos for years – why don’t you help them, too? To make a donation, just click here to be directed to their website – you’ll be amazed at the scope of their programs. And don’t forget to tell them that we sent you!
To help us help Para Los Ninos by making a donation, please click here.
If you are ever in Syracuse, New York, and not feeling well, just head over to the very kind people at the St. Joseph Health Center – you’ll feel much better in no time! St. Joseph is a huge organization that treats a gazillion people a year, and we help supply books for their Maternal and Pediatric sections - a couple of years ago, we enrolled St. Joseph’s in our “A Book Just For Me” program and they have been enthusiastic participants ever since.
I know that it’s unusual for us to focus the spotlight on an organization that is not based in California, but Ella lived in New York for quite a long time, and since she loved children, our support of Pediatric and Family Literacy in central New York is so appropriate!
If you would like more information about how our Book Program works, please send me an email by clicking here. And if you would like to learn more about St. Joseph’s, just visit their website, listed above.
To help us help the St. Joseph Hospital Health Care Foundation by making a donation, please click here
Okay, how many of you remember this little poem by Ogden Nash?
I think that I shall never see
A billboard lovely as a tree…….
Perhaps unless the billboards fall
I’ll never see a tree at all.
So sad, but too true. However, let’s feel encouraged - because the Tree People are out there, planting trees by the thousands. Actually, by the MILLIONS!
The Tree People began in 1973, thanks to Andy Lipkis, who was a teenager at the time. Andy is one of my heroes – he saw a problem (smoggy, yucky air in L.A.) and he actually did something about it. He started planting trees, and getting all his friends and relatives to plant trees, and pretty soon, the entire city of L.A. was involved. Now, the Tree People has spread out its branches, helping to plant trees all over the world.
And they don’t just plant trees – they do a lot of work in education, which is where we come in. For years now, we have been sponsoring the educational field trips that the Tree People run for at-risk and disadvantaged elementary school children in the greater Los Angeles area. I went on a field trip and had a great time, learning about trees, nature, compost, ecology, water….and just enjoying the beautiful setting that is the Tree People headquarters. They also have terrific programs for adults, so please visit when you are in L.A. You can get lots more information from their web site.
Don’t forget to think about planting trees the next time you need to give a gift or celebrate a happy occasion…or to remember a loved one. After all, who needs another chachke, wouldn’t you rather have a tree?
So, you’re not doing very well, barely making the rent payment. Your children get free meals at school….but where do you take them for dental care? Well, you don’t have to take them anyplace at all – the USC School of Dentistry will bring the dentist to you!
Providing free, top-quality dental care to children from low-income families
So, you’re not doing very well, barely making the rent payment. Your children get free meals at school….but where do you take them for dental care? Well, you don’t have to take them anyplace at all – the USC School of Dentistry will bring the dentist to you!
A little over five years ago, we heard about a wonderful program run by the caring folks over at the Dental School at the University of Southern California. We were intrigued, so we went to campus and met the founder of the clinics, Dr. Charlie Goldstein, who took an old RV and fitted it up as a complete dental lab and exam room.
The Mobile Clinics have grown quite a bit since 1968, and now, under the wise leadership of the always energetic Dr. Marge Domingo, they are serving more kids than ever, over 3000 in 2007. And every time a boy or girls leaves the Clinic, he or she is clutching a not only a new toothbrush but also a brand new book from our “A Book Just For Me” program (USC Dental is one of our most enthusiastic participants).
And just in case you’re near the campus, you can pop over to the on-campus Pediatric Dental Clinic which sees 1800 children each year.
Our son volunteered at the Mobile Clinics when he was in high school, and he would come home full of stories of grateful parents and healthier kids. So with that in mind, we are just starting our second five-year grant to support this wonderful, wonderful program. You can help too, by contacting www.usc.edu/hfc/dental/community/index.htm And remember, contributions and volunteers are always in demand!
Oh , one more thing……DON’T FORGET TO BRUSH!
Do you want to hear great jazz? Then look no farther than our friends at the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, fondly known as "SJMO". This group of ultra-talented musicians travels around the world, sharing the true American art form we call Jazz.
Dr. David Baker (Distinguished Professor of Music at Indiana University, Bloomington) is the Artistic and Musical Director and the Orchestra is led by the hard-working and very, very nice Ken Kimery, who sometimes even takes the stage to lend his talent to the percussion section.
Every single time we have seen the SJMO, we have had a fabulous musical experience - I wish you could have been in DC last year when they performed a tribute to Ella - what a night that was! The show was so popular that the performers all schlepped up to New York City and did it again at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem! And then, it was "one more time" at the Duke Ellington High School for the Arts in Georgetown (where we sponsor the Vocal Jazz Program).
You can find Ken at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History on the Mall (it should be re-opening soon, but Ken's there even though the Museum is closed) and remember to keep an eye on their website so you'll know where they will be playing next.. and don't forget to tell Ken that we sent you!
For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.smithsonianjazz.org/sjmo
Isn't that a great name for an organization? And the people at SOS are great, too. Here's how it came about, all thanks to Ginny Mancini (the widow of the remarkable Henry Mancini), and her friend, Gilda Maikin Anderson.
It was the early 80's and Ginny (a pretty darn good singer) looked around and noticed that many of her vocalist friends were in trouble - no health insurance, no pensions, no union to fight on their behalf. So she and Gilda established a non-profit organization to help singers in need. What a great idea! Wait, it gets better..
Ginny came up with the idea of having a fund-raising dinner and presenting a lifetime achievement award to a singer. Yes, you guessed right, the first recipient was Ella Fitzgerald and the award is called "The Ella"! And it's been given to the very best in the business - after Ella, the award went to Frank Sinatra, Elton John, Julie Andrews, Celine Dion - well, the list goes on and it's impressive as heck. Plus, the gala evening and award ceremony is one of the most enjoyable events in Hollywood with incredible entertainment (this year we saw Johnny Mathis and Gladys Knight!)
So of course, we have been helping fund the wonderful programs at SOS for years, and just last we year, we established the "Ella Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship" with them which is awarded to a vocal student in need.
My sincere thanks go to the very hard working and dedicated staff - the President, Jerry Sharell, Judy Varley and Wendy Garfinkel, - I love working with you guys!
For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.singers.org
About half-way between the "O.C." and my office in Pacific Palisades, lies the beautiful campus of California State University, Long Beach. This multi-cultural educational mecca is fondly known as "the Beach"...like."Hey Dude, where you going to school?" "Oh you know, the Beach".
Cal State Long Beach is home to a wonderful Vocal Jazz department, led by the enthusiastic and incredibly energetic Christine H. Guter. She also is in charge of the vocal jazz singing group called (appropriately) "Pacific Standard Time". I hope that you will get yourself over the "The Beach" to hear them,..or if you are in Toronto in January, you can catch them at the IAJE Conference. (See our "upcoming events" page for the information"
For the past few years, we have been supporting both undergraduate and graduate music students with four scholarships per academic year. In the 2007-2008 year, we are proud to sponsor four very talented young women who not only practice, study, write papers, take tests, and go to class.., they also work in the local Title One schools teaching music and jazz to at-risk and disadvantaged children. Is that terrific or what? We are very, very proud of them and of Christine and the whole darn Arts Department.
Christine and "Pacific Standard Time" are frantically trying to raise enough money to pay for their upcoming trip to Toronto, so if you'd like to help, let us know or contact the school directly at 562/985-4280.
For more information please visit www.csulb.edu.
So say you are living in L.A. and you get sick. And you don't have health insurance..
Or you have a terrible toothache and not enough money to pay the dentist..
Maybe it's time for your little ones to start school, but they need to have their vaccinations before they'll be allowed in the classroom...
What do you do?
You go to The Los Angeles Free Clinic, of course!
(But don't forget to call first and make an appointment, 323/653-1990)
Do you get the feeling that I love the Los Angeles Free Clinic? Well, you're right. They provide excellent medical and dental care, as well as social services, in a compassionate environment, and thankfully, they have more than one location - a good thing considering how big Los Angeles is. And I admire and respect the Administration, the Medical Staff and the countless volunteers who treat all patients with dignity. I actually remember when the Clinic first opened - and now they are celebrating their 40th anniversary! (okay, I admit it, I'm getting old)
We give the Clinic a grant every year to help cover the costs of their medical and dental programs PLUS we provide brand-new books for them to give to their pediatric patients. Just imagine - little Susie and little Johnny walk out from their doctor/dentist visits SMILING 'cause they each have a shiny new book of their very own. I just sent Abbe Land, the Co-CEO, a huge box of hard-cover childrens' books for the waiting area; I don't know about you, but I really hate to see kids sitting around, bored stiff, with nothing to do. Well, that just isn't going to happen at the Los Angeles Free Clinic!
If you would like to help them out, just click on the link below.and don't forget to tell them that we sent you!
www.lafreeclinic.org
September 2007
So tell me the truth, have you ever heard of the ADL? And if you have, do you know what the initials stand for? Here's the answer:
A stands for " ANTI", meaning they're against it
D stands for " DEFAMATION", doing or saying rotten things about others
L stands for " LEAGUE", getting together to do something about it
So the good folks at the ADL work hard to make sure that America is free of people doing or saying bad things to or about other people, things based on their nationality, creed, religion or race. For over 90 years, the ADL has been fighting anti-Semitism and bigotry of ALL kinds.
We got involved with the ADL a few years ago to help them teach tolerance and acceptance to teachers and children. (However, I was no stranger to them, a while back they honored my father-in-law, Elliot Rosman, which made me extremely proud!)
Ella Fitzgerald was a woman of the world, able to get along with just about anyone, anywhere, always treating others with respect. And that's just what the ADL's "A World of Difference" programs aim to achieve. We support these programs that work with teachers - so that the teachers can help their students learn to get along with kids who might not be just like them..So far, over 360,000 teachers have participated in this program. With our help, (and YOURS, too!) the ADL can reach even more people, making this world a little more peaceful, and a much better place to live.
For more information, please visit www.adl.org
Duarte, California
August 2007
So, have you ever heard of the City of Hope? It's one of the finest medical centers and research institutions in the world. I grew up hearing about it since my parents were ardent supporters, and I have always been astounded by the high caliber of care they provide as well as the research they undertake.
The City of Hope started with a nurse and two tents and some poor patients suffering from tuberculosis...way back in 1913. Patient care was free, as it was for many, many years. Located in Duarte, California (an eastern suburb of Los Angeles), the City of Hope treats patients suffering from a variety of diseases, including cancer and Diabetes.
Our relationship with COH began in 1996, right after Ella died from complications of Diabetes. We looked around to see just who was doing cutting-edge research into this devastating disease and we found the City of Hope, right in our own backyard. We've been funding their programs ever since.
If you are ever in the Duarte area (just a bit east of Pasadena, home of the Rose Parade), please stop by for a visit. The Rose Gardens are incredibly beautiful this time of year (Ella loved roses, so don't forget to look for the part of the Garden that bears her name), there is a Japanese Garden and lots of great outdoor sculptures. Don't forget to stop into the Diabetes waiting area which highlights Ella's career and features art from her Beverly Hills home.
For additional information, please visit www.coh.org, and if you wish to make a donation, email the wonderful Ms. Sandee Zschomler, our Development contact, at Szschomler@coh.org
Long Beach, California
July 2007
It was a long time ago (in Foundation time) that I first heard about Dramatic Results. There was an article about it in the L.A. Times and at first, I thought it must be some kind of performing arts club. Boy, was I wrong - the name of the organization refers to the truly DRAMATIC RESULTS they get when this program is implemented in the disadvantaged and at-risk areas of the greater Los Angeles area.
I remember schlepping down to some fairly unsavory part of Long Beach and accompanying the founder, Christi Wilkins, to see the program in action at a Title One elementary school. (By the way, I'm nominating Christi for sainthood..) Well, I was just blown out of the water - Dramatic Results is unbelievably terrific. And they make a HUGE impact
on these kids, helping bolster their self-esteem, their sense of self-worth, helping them excel in school, improving their understanding of math - and all this in a warm, fun and truly caring way.
So we started funding their programs in 2000 and since then, we've doubled the amount we give them because we think their enrichment and intervention programs
are so terrific. They've been a part of our "A Book Just for Me" since its inception, and we provide Christi and her staff with new books and dictionaries for all their kids - now that's a lot of books!
I hope you will visit their website and learn more about Dramatic Results - you will be dramatically impressed! www.dramaticresults.org
Los Angeles, California
June 2007
Promise me that the next time you are on the Westside of Los Angeles, you will go spend an afternoon at the Skirball Cultural Center. What a wonderful place! It's located just north of the Getty Center, and like its famous neighbor, it's a gem. Stop by, have lunch at Zeidler's Café (yum) and spend the afternoon marveling at the core exhibit "Visions and Values" - kids will love the replica of the Statue of Liberty's torch, and adults will be mesmerized by the artifacts, photos and stories from around the world. And don't forget to stop at Audrey's Museum Store for a little shopping (I go at least once a month to check out all the great jewelry and gifts and books).
The Skirball is proud to announce the opening of their newest permanent exhibit: "Noah's Ark" - a walk-through, participatory celebration of everyone's favorite story. I was honored with a sneak preview and I didn't want to leave. Bring your children and grandchildren and have fun! The exhibit opens to the public on June 26th, tickets are available beginning June 1st.
As much as we love the exhibits at the Skirball, what we really truly admire most are their programs for children - well thought out, interesting even to the kids and essential to teaching people how to get along, no matter their background or culture. If I had my way, these programs would be mandatory for every student in the greater L.A. area! Thank you to all the wonderful staff at the Skirball for promoting tolerance and acceptance.
For more information, for tickets or reservations, please visit www.skirball.org or call 310/440-4500.
JazzReach
Music Outreach Programs
May 2007
 For the last five years, we have been supporting the music outreach program run by the Thornton School of Music at USC, right here in Los Angeles. We love JazzReach, as this program is officially called, how could you not love knowing that the very talented Thornton jazz students go out into the community and teach music to our local at-risk and disadvantaged kids? Kids who otherwise could not afford private music lessons. Kids who are talented, enthusiastic and totally in love with jazz. Kids who are very, very cute as you can see from the photos. What a win-win situation!
JazzReach is run by the talented Dr. Susan Helfter, who received her DMA at USC. Here, in her words, is a brief summary of the program:
"JazzReach is an exciting and motivating after-school program that fosters the development of skills and appreciation of jazz for underserved students, and, through its mentoring component, helps build relationships between local and USC students. It's the longest, continually run outreach program offered by the Thornton School of Music and has served as the model for several, newer, initiatives which provide weekly music classes in violin, guitar, choir and general music".
During the 2006/07 school year, JazzReach provided:
· In-School Concerts for over 1,100 children in schools located
near USC or on the campus itself
· JazzReach Lessons and Ensembles, providing 600 private
Lessons and performance opportunities to local middle and
High-school students.
· The L.A. Youth Jazz Ensemble ("LAYJE") performed five
Concert workshops at USC or in the community schools,
including the end-of-the-year concert at Newman Hall on
May 6th, where the second JazzReach CD recording will
be completed.
For more information, please contact Susan Helfter at helfter@thornton.usc.edu or 213-740-3129.
An International Project Sponsored By The Smithsonian
Institution and Their Partners
April 2007
 About six years ago, our friends at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History came up with the idea of designating one month of the year for an annual public spotlight on jazz. We are proud of the fact that we are a founding partner in this great endeavor to draw public attention to the glories of jazz as both an historical and a living treasure. Every single April, all around the world, musicians, concert halls, schools, libraries, museums, radio stations (and on and on) are encouraged to offer special programs on jazz. After all, it’s the one true American art form, and don’t forget that Ella Fitzgerald was born in April – in fact, this year, we are celebrating Ella’s 90 th birthday on April 25, 2007.
The Smithsonian has one of the largest collections of jazz and jazz-related materials in the world, so it makes sense that they should lead the initiative. (and yes, Ella’s archival materials were donated to the Smithsonian in 1997) With the help of the Smithsonian leadership, many federal agencies, Governmental organizations, charitable foundations and broadcasting networks (among others) have joined in to celebrate jazz.
This year, many, many exciting events are scheduled in April to bring attention to Ella’s favorite music. For more information and a schedule of events around the world, please visit www.smithsonianjazz.org. And tell them that we sent you!
An International Project Sponsored By The Smithsonian
Institution and Their Partners
 For the last several years, the great jazz musician/educator Loren Schoenberg has been dedicated to creating a national museum dedicated to jazz – our uniquely American art form. Today, his idea is a reality at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, with offices located at 104 E. 26th Street, just a block away from the historic Apollo Theater where Ella was “discovered”. Loren, and his co-director, the fabulous Christian McBride, are working hard to both preserve and celebrate jazz. The Museum presents programs such as “Jazz Speaks” featuring important jazz figures such as Mercedes Ellington, Dr. Billy Taylor, Clark Terry, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Paul Robeson, Jr.
 Last year, the Museum, in partnership with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, presented a tribute to Ella that played to a packed house. The featured vocalist was Delores King Williams – what a voice! It was great – I was there! The Ella concert was so popular that the Museum just held another one, this time with Jennifer Sanon (a former “Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocalist winner”) doing the singing.
We began supporting the Museum last year with a grant to fund their program for young musicians, “Harmony in Harlem”. I’m pleased to report that the kids are doing very well. If you would like to know more about this terrific place, please visit their website at www.jazzmuseuminharlem.org. And if you are moved to make a donation, please tell Loren that we sent you!
A participant in our Scholarship Program
February 2007
 We love the UNCF! And so did Ella; she was a dedicated supporter for years, even before she officially started our Foundation. And since I've been here, (over ten years, who can believe it!) we've been funding four scholarships per academic year - for talented young students who otherwise could not afford to attend college. This year we have two "Ella Fitzgerald Scholars" at Fisk University in Nashville, one scholar at Talladega University in Alabama and one student at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. All four are undergraduate students in Music, and I'm happy to report that they are all doing well (they had better, if they don't keep a 2.5 GPA, their scholarships will not be renewed!)
The United Negro College Fund has been around since 1944 - and it currently supports 65,000 students at nine hundred different academic institutions, including such famous Historically Black Colleges such as Morehouse, Spelman and Tuskegee. It offers support to both undergraduates and graduate students who are often the very first members of their families to attend college. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank James Mayo, UNCF vice-president of the Western Region, for his knowledge and guidance; he works very, very hard to insure that deserving kids are able to achieve their goals. Also, thanks to Renita Tyson in the L.A. office for her dedication to making the future a better place.
For more information, or to make a donation directly (please say that we sent you!), please go to www.uncf.org
January 2007
 Since we’re going to be in New York this month for the celebration in honor of the new Ella Fitzgerald Postage Stamp, we thought we’d spotlight an organization with whom we have a long and very close history.
It’s kind of funny, but JALC (as it’s fondly called) isn’t even AT Lincoln Center any more! It’s so popular that it now has its very own space in the magnificent Time-Warner center in Columbus Circle. In fact, the Ella Stamp celebration is taking place in the Allen Room on January 10 th - the same venue where Ella was inducted into the Jazz at Lincoln Center Hall of Fame last year. If you’re in New York, please be sure to visit this special exhibit – you will hear fabulous music and see great video footage of Ella and other jazz greats.
Every year, JALC runs the “Essentially Ellington” Festival for high school bands all over North America. These bands compete for the opportunity to come to New York and compete against each other to win prizes and recognition. The high school vocalists sing and scat, trying to win the coveted “Ella Fitzgerald Vocalist Award”. You just won’t believe the talent that comes out of the Ellington Festival – I never knew there were so many gifted musicians in our schools – let’s hear it for all the devoted music and band teachers out there!
Let’s face it, keeping jazz alive and teaching it to a new generation is very expensive. So we’ve been funding JALC since the year 2000. If you would like to offer your support directly, or if you just want to learn more, please visit their website at www.jazzatlincolncenter.org , and don’t forget to mention you heard about them right here!
December 2006
Los Angeles , California
To end 2006, we thought we’d spotlight an organization with whom we have a long and close history. PUENTE (People United to Enrich the Neighborhood Through Education) Learning Centers were started by Sister Jennie Lechtenberg, SNJM, who saw a need in her East L.A. community – a need for a safe and helpful place to help the neighborhood kids. PUENTE now has two locations, one in Boyle Heights and one in South L.A. These centers are places where children and families can come to do homework, learn English, and even learn how to use a computer. PUENTE also provides a nurturing and educational day care program, complete with music lessons, and after-school care and homework help.
We have been helping to support PUENTE’s educational and music programs since 2002, and we are happy to report that they are an enthusiastic member of our “A Book Just For Me” program. We hope that you enjoy some photographs of the kids with their books. If you’d like to learn more about PUENTE, please visit www.puente.org. And if you are moved to make a donation, please let them know that you learned about them here!
October-November 2006We are pleased to announce our first ever donation to the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem. It was at the Apollo that Ella Fitzgerald was “discovered” during an amateur night in 1934. The story goes that Ella had signed up to dance, but got too nervous and ended up singing instead. And we’re all so glad she did!
The Apollo is busy updating the facility – make sure you go over and take a tour if you are in New York City. It’s a real thrill to stand on the stage where Ella and Duke Ellington and Count Basie performed. There are terrific murals on the walls and it’s fun to try to identify each of the famous faces.
Earlier this year, the Apollo Theater inaugurated its “Apollo Legends Hall of Fame”, with Miss Fitzgerald as the very first inductee. What a meaningful way to pay tribute to her legacy.
We are helping support the educational and outreach programs run by the Apollo. Every year, hundreds of schoolchildren take field trips to this important icon of African-American history, learning about the famous performers who graced the stage. The Apollo also runs a neighborhood health fair, which is very important to the well-being of the surrounding community.
For more information, or to help support the Apollo’s Education and Community Outreach Initiative, please visit www.apollotheater.com
August - September 2006
In 2005, we partnered with the Ellington School to provide lessons and classes in Vocal Jazz. Now that we are beginning our second academic year with this fabulous Arts High School, we are very pleased with the progress the students have made. Many thanks to Ellen Coppley of the Ellington Fund for helping us set us this terrific program.
For more information, please visit the school's Web site.
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