Laguna Beach, CA — May 30, 2025 — The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach (the Club) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand reopening of its revitalized Bluebird Branch, a cherished hub for local youth and families. The remodel enhances the Club’s ability to deliver high-quality programming in a safe, inspiring, and modern space.
Held on May 27, 2025, the celebration welcomed community members, families, donors, and Club supporters. Guests enjoyed guided tours of the upgraded facility, which now features refreshed learning zones, a reimagined creative space, and new amenities designed to better serve the children of Laguna Beach. To mark the occasion, grilled hot dogs were served to all attendees, creating a warm and welcoming environment.
The Bluebird Beautification Project (2023–2025) was also a tribute to two Laguna legends who have since passed away: local realtor and Rotarian Harry Bithell, and long-time philanthropist and founder of the Laguna Beach Community Foundation (LBCF), Wayne Peterson. Harry was responsible for moving the building onto the park decades ago, when he founded the Laguna Girls’ Club. Eventually, it became “TLC” and then in 2005, it joined the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach. Wayne Peterson supported the Club over the years, but his true legacy is the community investments made by the LBCF to improve the lives of Laguna Beach residents. The LBCF made the initial matching pledge to kick off the Bluebird Capital Campaign to support the improvements.
This project was made possible by the extraordinary generosity of the community. Special thanks go to Davita, AGI, Design with Purpose, the Crevier Family Foundation, Jessica & Sten Lilja, and the Laguna Beach Community Foundation, with additional support from Costa Mesa Stonework, Kay & Steve Munn, Robert & Stephanie Mister, Shipp Group, Epic Stone, and the greater Laguna Beach community.
“These improvements have been a long time coming and we know generations more of Laguna families will benefit from them. It isn’t easy and it isn’t inexpensive, but it is profoundly rewarding, and we need everyone’s help to keep up this good work. We are profoundly grateful for our ‘Village’ and the collective impact of everyone showing up for our kids,” said Pam Estes, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach.