Nelda Gruenthal and Lynn Byrne Simon, artist members of the Pastel Society of the Gold Coast, delivered a check for $1,750 to the Board of Directors of Camarillo Hospice at its meeting in August. The checkrepresented all proceeds of a Meet the Artists Reception in July and ten percent of all sales made during the group’s month-long exhibit at the Thousand Oaks Community Gallery.

Hospice President/CEO Sandy Nirenberg and Lynne Byrne Simon spoke about the great collaboration of “art and heart” that has been created between the PSGC and Camarillo Hospice. Board Chair Randy Churchill commented on the similarities between and importance of the work of both groups and how grateful Camarillo Hospice was for this unexpected fundraising opportunity.

The Pastel Society of the Gold Coast is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide public exhibitions for its members, to educate the community through collaboration with environmental and other non-profit organizations; and to promote the arts in general. The membership consists of approximately 30 Southern California artists who “utilize the dynamic and diverse application of soft pastels to express the nature and beauty of our Gold Coast region. “For more information visit www.pastelsocietyofthegoldcoast.org.

Founded in 1978, Camarillo Hospice is a volunteer hospice and grief counseling center dedicated to the dignity of life by providing care, comfort, support and counseling to individuals and families facing a life-limiting illness or grieving the loss of a loved one, as well as offering education on end-of-life care and planning to all. All services and programs are free of charge. For more information, please call 389-6870 or log onto www.camarillohospice.org.