In honor of Stu’s beautiful life & his commitment to charity, Tony’s Treehouse (501c3) has started a Donation Drive in his honor.
Gifts will go directly to the Scholarship Fund assisting children of the Laguna Beach Boys & Girls Club. Due to financial hardship, the Scholarship recipients ordinarily wouldn’t be able to attend summer camp and field trips. I was one of the parents who received scholarship for my boys, when I couldn’t afford that extra expense. This is my way of giving back and saying Thank You to our Community Patriot, Stu Saffer.
To participate, you can mail a tax deductible donation to our Laguna Beach address shown under the “Financial Support” tab, or you can make a donation through our secure PayPal button. Receipts will be mailed so please provide your email or address as well. *SEE BELOW WHO YOUR GIFT WILL BE HELPING!
In addition, I want to share how Stu impacted my life and through his kindness, helped raise community awareness for Tony’s Treehouse ~
When I moved to the town in July of 2000, I walked into Stu’s “CoastLine News” office. It was just months after the sudden death of my 9 year old son, Tony. I had been a member of the Laguna community for only a short time, and had no idea what love and support were in store for me.
A single working mom of 2 energetic boys, I was on a ‘less than shoe string’ budget. My sons Danny, 9 and Tony, 8 attended the Laguna Boys & Girls Club after school program and summer day camp. Finances were tight, but I was fortunate to qualify for a scholarship to help with the monthly fees & day camp, which allowed me to work and provide for my family.
After Tony’s death, I was living the unimaginable. I started this Foundation in his memory. Tony was a sweet, loving, generous spirit and this charity was dedicated to honoring his life. I shared my story with Stu, knowing I would need help. We have no paid staff and are 100% volunteer operated. I sat across from him at his desk and told my story. His initial gruff expression turned into kind and caring as we spoke. My grief was beyond what words could express, but his empathetic spirit made me feel like I wasn’t alone.
Originally I visited his office hoping CoastLine News would share our story of the upcoming ‘Bicycle Drive’ we were holding at the B & G Club. Volunteers would tune up and repair the donated bikes, which we would in turn, distribute to local needy children and families.
After our time spent together, we became instant friends, and as we were saying ‘goodbye’ he said, “I’ll do anything I can to help you fulfill your mission and honor the memory of your son.” I walked out of his office with a wonderful supportive friend of 17 years.
Stu will be greatly missed. Many lives have been enriched because of his work here on Earth, and I’m so very grateful to have known him.
Here are the Field Trips and Summer Camp events in which you can contribute:
Tony, 1999