Palisades Cares is a 501 (c) 3, California non-profit, public benefit corporation, formed in 2006, dedicated to encourage volunteer action in the community by residents and friends of Pacific Palisades. Palisades Cares started in 2004 as a group of Palisades residents who wanted to help others by collecting toys and food for the needy. The first Palisades Volunteer Week, in 2005, was inspired by Big Sunday. 

Our activities include Palisades Eco Forums, Community Volunteer Fair, Palisades Volunteer Week, activities for the National Day of Service, September book drive for School on Wheels, book drive for Access Books, Westside Food Bank food drive, and Holiday Toy Drive. Volunteer with us today and make a difference. Pay it forward!!

We work with residents and organizations within Pacific Palisades and Los Angeles to help create a more sustainable town and city.

Marie Steckmest, founder of Palisades Cares, is a long-time community volunteer, and has been honored by the Palisadian Post as the 2008 Citizen of the Year for Greening the Palisades. A former president of the Pacific Palisades Junior Women's Club, Steckmest holds a MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. She was chosen a Pacific Palisades Community Sparkplug in 2006 in recognition of creating Palisades Volunteer Week.  An environmental activist, she writes the "Save Our Earth" column for the Palisadian-Post. Steckmest believes that everyone can make a difference.

 Palisades Cares Officers

 Marie Steckmest, President and Founder

 Larry Steckmest, Treasurer

Suzanne Baraff, Secretary

Palisades Cares Advisory Board

Sid Greenwald, co-owner Sustainable Design Source, board member of Coalition for Clean Air

Peter Kreitler, co-host Earthtalk, Minister for the Environment, Episcopalian Diocese of Los Angeles

Gretchen Miller, Director of Community Service, Palisades Charter High School

Carol Pfannkuche, Executive Director, Palisades-Malibu YMCA

 Arnie Wishnick, Executive Director, Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce 

Thanks to our supporters:

Michael Edlen
Bruce Rosen
June Payne
Marge and Bob Gold
Joan Booke
Anonymous