Board members of the Village Green (back row, left to right)Betsy Collins, Sandy Alarcon, Sandy Eddy, Bob Gold and Cindy Kirven and Marge Gold (center, sitting), welcomed Anthony (left) and Max Marguleas’ annual donation to the nonprofit.
Marking what has become an annual tradition, realtor Anthony Marguleas once again donated $5,000 to the nonprofit Village Green board on January 12.
Since 2013, the founder/owner of Amalfi Estates has helped support the private triangular park in the heart of the town’s business district.
The Village Green is not a city park and must rely entirely on donations and grants from residents, businesses and organizations to cover its yearly budget of about $21,000, according to board member Bob Gold.
“Anthony’s donation means so much to us,” said VG President Marge Gold. “It represents about 25 percent of our operating budget.”
In addition to tree care/trimming, the nonprofit looks after the fountain, is responsible for trash pickup, takes care of the lawn and landscaping and pays for insurance and utilities.
“Amalfi has always made a point of giving back,” said Max Marguleas, 24, who grew up in Pacific Palisades and graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder before joining his father’s real estate office on Monument. “This is a special place. It’s the heart of the community.”
“It’s a visual reminder of why the Palisades is so special,” the elder Marguleas said. “I think of what the town stands for and how this used to be a gas station before the town rallied to raise money to buy the property and build the Green [in 1972-73].”
Marguleas added, “I’m honored to have the opportunity to give back,” noting that his team of 10 agents donated more than to $510,000 from their commissions every year to six partner charities. (Visit: amalfiestates.com.)
He was thankful for the work of the Village Green board and said, “The focus should be on the volunteers and all the work they do.”
The VG property used to be occupied by an unsightly Standard gas station, but in 1972, Standard Oil decided not to renew its lease. The newly organized Community Council established a five-member Village Green Committee and signed a lease giving the committee an option to buy the land — if it could raise the necessary funds. Starting in October that year, nearly $70,000 was raised. About $46,000 was used to purchase the land and the rest of the money went to park development.
The Palisades Village Green was certified as a California nonprofit and formally dedicated on August 17, 1973.
Marge Gold said when the three tipu trees were planted almost 50 years ago, there was a conversation about how big they would grow. And now the trees, located in the center, are huge, joined by a pine tree and five evergreen pears.
This past year, the Village Green suffered vandalism when someone cut the Christmas tree lights that were hung on the pine tree. The electrical conduit that supplied energy to the lights that wrapped the pear trees was also cut.
Replacing the lights and paying for an electrician to replace the cut wires will cost about $500. If anyone has information about the vandalism (or wants to make a donation), please contact palisadesvillagegreen.org.