Sally’s Fund started in 1982 when a group of concerned citizens began helping some of Laguna Beach’s seniors who thought they might have to move to a senior facility. Since the seniors could no longer drive and take care of their needs, the concerned citizens volunteered their time and one of their cars and began driving the seniors to grocery stores. Word spread quickly, and the generous effort put forth by the citizens became increasingly needed by more and more people . When it became apparent that the demand was so large that it could not be met on a regular basis by volunteers only, one of the group provided significant financial support and part-time employees were hired. The new non-profit was founded and incorporated in 1986 and was named Sally's Fund in honor of the donor’s mother who had recently died. Community organizations and individuals contributed funds, and it became an established feature of Laguna Beach life with the Sally’s Fund car seen regularly parked outside the supermarkets.
As time went on, it was realized that the seniors’ needs were increasing and services were added to drive people to medical appointments, grocery and errand shopping, visits to hospitals and the homebound, social outings, and “bridging” to senior facilities for those who could no longer live on their own.
With the expansion and success of our program, we became a well respected service agency which was confirmed by the city in 2002 when they contracted with us to drive seniors to the daily lunch program offered at the senior center. They lease a van for this purpose and for our own use as when we drive twice a month outside of Laguna Beach to shop at discount stores and to help with transportation for the Senior Club. We also use the van and our car to take people to grocery stores and other errands in town. Our out of town expeditions in the car include doctor appointments, help to find senior facilities when clients can no longer live on their own, and visits to these clients and other Laguna Beach residents in senior facilities. Visits to these residents along with homebound seniors give us a chance to share some time with them, go shopping for them, and watch that they are taken care of properly.
The program has developed into a full time service agency, with one owned vehicle, a van leased from the city, one full time and one part time driver (one is the director of client services and the other is the driver of the van), and an executive director. Volunteers have provided office space, program services, and administration assistance. Our board is comprised of eleven local residents including the original founder who continues as the President.
