Despite recession, city remains in giving mood

Several local nonprofit agencies, school clubs and other groups received more than $26,000 in grants from the city of Agoura Hills during last week's budget workshop.

The Agoura High School Music Boosters will receive $2,000, although the group requested a funding hike to $4,000. The school's senior class booster club received $1,000.

Since the Agoura High's theater booster club failed to submit an application, money will not be allocated to that group this year.

The "Every 15 Minute" antidrinking and driving program that alternates between Agoura and Calabasas High Schools each year will get $6,500.

The American Cancer Society received $2,000 for the Relay for Life program, and a new program called Bookends will receive $1,000.

The city granted the California Wildlife Center $1,000 and the Conejo/Las Virgenes Future Foundation $2,500.

Conejo Youth Employment Service asked for $12,000, but received $1,000 from the city.

The Friendship Circle Jewish mentoring program was granted $2,500 for its Miracle League Sports program, and Many Mansions received exactly what they asked for, $1,110.

Meals on Wheels, a new applicant this year, received $1,000, as did the New West Symphony.

The Triunfo YMCA asked for $5,000 and got $3,000, a sum that was $500 more than last year's award.

Two non-profit groups from the Agoura Animal Shelter requested funding for the first time, but only one, Friends of Homeless Animals, received a grant of $500. Malibu Pet Companions, a group that also works out of the Agoura shelter was denied funding this year.

- Stephanie Bertholdo