The community came out to celebrate Playa del Rey resident and local real estate agent Jane St. John at the Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club’s annual Cultural Dinner celebration on October 20th.
The crowd at the sold-out Westchester Elks Lodge was treated to dinner, cocktails and entertainment courtesy of two singing waiters at the “That’s Amore” themed gala, which raises money for the Marina del Rey-based club’s local and international services projects.
During the event, St. John was recognized with the club’s 2021 Sunrise Community Service Award for her decades-long support of the community, events and nonprofits including AMCS, the Holiday Home Tour, Helen’s Room, local schools, the Fourth of July Parade and more. St. John has also hosted the Playa del Rey Toy and Shelter Animal Drive for the last 21 years in Triangle Park. All of the toys collected are donated to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. This year’s event is scheduled for December 4.
“We were thrilled to recognize Jane as this year’s honoree,” said Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Club President Maria Davis. “Jane is the epitome of Rotary’s ‘Service above self’ motto, and is so incredibly generous to our local Westchester/Playa community. With the money raised from the event, we will be able to support many deserving nonprofits and give back to our area in a variety of ways. We love Jane’s philosophy of ‘You make a living by what you earn…and you make a life by what you give!’”
For Jane St. John, giving back and supporting her community is in her blood. Growing up in the small town of Wasco, near Bakersfield, her father instilled in their family the importance of philanthropy and keeping your dollars local. He would always say “You spend your money where you make it,” and St. John has always taken that to heart.
Thanks to the generosity of attendees and sponsors, as well as an exciting live auction, more than $68,000 was raised, which will support the club’s upcoming projects like the Holiday Adopt-A-Family program, serving at the Midnight Mission, the local Santa Tour, distributing Teacher Mini Grants, providing scholarships for high school students, and more.
Pictured: Jane St. John (center) poses with Rotary Club President Maria Davis (left) and event committee member Lisa Schwab. Photo by Glenn Marzano.
Posted November 2021.