“My Why”, By Paula Hornbuckle-Arnold, Managing Director
My name is Paula Hornbuckle-Arnold. My journey in the Laguna Beach non-profit community started around 2009 when I was asked to join the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach. I served as chairperson of the annual Girls Night Out event for ten years. In addition, I chaired the annual Night of Giving gala for the same period of time. I was elected Chairman of the Board and served out my last two years in 2017 & 2018.
But wait! There’s more….in 2019 I took over a struggling Chamber of Commerce. That responsibility has been one of the most rewarding in my life. I won’t bore you with details, but it was challenging and wonderful at the same time.
In 2022 I was presented with the opportunity to help revive the Laguna Beach Police and Community Foundation, an organization that was originally formed by then Chief Farinella and Captain, now Chief Calvert in2019 right before Covid closed down life as we knew it. I was delighted!
I grew up in a law enforcement family. My “single” mother was a police officer and detective in Las Vegas in a time when female officers weren’t highly regarded. I knew that her work family was also part of my home family. When my mother worked nights and left my sisters and myself home alone, we would always get a knock on the door at curfew from the officers working our neighborhood to make sure we were ok. We even had helicopters doing flyovers with their spotlight if they happened to be in the area working a case.
My first job, at 15, was in the crime lab at the LVMPD. Yep, the stuff CSI was made of!! It was so incredibly interesting and taught me responsibility and ownership of work. At times, we needed financial help and the department always pulled together to make sure we had what we needed. There was no “foundation” or government assistance for us. #FAMILY
The Laguna Beach Police and Community Foundation, www.lbpcf.org, hopes to be that for the officers and support staff for the Laguna Beach Police Department. We are fully engaged in funding scholarships, financial assistance, and additional needs that would not otherwise be funded by the city. This organization is exactly what we need.
Can you join me in supporting the Laguna Beach Police & Community Foundation? Click this link to support whatever level you are comfortable with. I and our department thank you!!
Paula Hornbuckle-Arnold
Managing Director
Laguna Beach Police & Community Foundation