by Elka Worner
The Hermosa Friends Foundation distributed $10,000 in grants to local non-profits during its seventh anniversary celebration on Saturday, October. 7 at the home of Ryan Nowicki and Rosé Romero.
“It was such a wonderful night,” Hermosa Beach resident Erin Phillips said. “Great food, great people and a great cause.”
Nearly 100 residents attended the “A Little Bit Country” event, which included music by “Beach Cowboy” Scott Fleetwood, and catering by Britt’s BBQ in El Segundo.
Hermosa Friends Foundation founder Nowicki said the organization “raises money among friends” and votes quarterly on where to donate the funds. Since its inception, the foundation has given more than $200,000 in grants, mostly to local non-profits and schools.
On Saturday, the foundation made a $7,000 donation to the Hermosa Beach Sister City Association; $2,000 to Reignite Hope, which provides free vocational welding training to veterans, and the homeless; and $1,000 to South Bay Village, a Torrance organization that helps seniors remain in their homes with the help of volunteers.
Nowicki said he founded HFF as a way to give back in a “fun and meaningful way.”
“The foundation brings together all walks of people in Hermosa with the common cause of doing good for the community,” he said. ER
