[Girls & Boys Town]

Through the initiative of one of our most dedicated Southern California volunteers, Cathy Chapman of Coto de Caza, the Tilly's Baby Home at the Girls and Boys Town campus in Trabuco Canyon has been the beneficiary of two very special gifts.

The first project transformed the Home into a magical place for the children through the generosity of the Room To Heal Foundation, based in Coto de Caza. With research showing that art can help heal both the body and spirit, the mission of the foundation is to provide an artistic "healing space" for children. The foundation provided whimsical makeovers for the kids' bedrooms with striking murals that feature playful animals, colorful creatures and fanciful places. Some 30 volunteers spent 10 hours per day on July 23 and 24 creating these unique environments. The foundation also provided bedding to match each theme to complement a warm and welcoming environment.

The second contribution through Cathy's contacts involved the Ladera Ranch Kids-Who-Care Club. A group of 35 local kids participated in a special day in July to plant trees, flowers and shrubs around the Tilly's Baby Home. In addition to the Club volunteers, O'Connell Landscape Maintenance donated shrubs and mulch to the project.

"The kids at the Tilly's Baby Home are very special to us all. And it's the generosity and spirit of volunteers like Cathy Chapman, the Room To Heal Foundation, Ladera Ranch Kids-Who-Care Club and O'Connell Landscape Maintenance that make a real difference for them," noted Keith Diederich, Girls and Boys Town of Southern California President and CEO.

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