Ben Lee Properties — April 2025 Newsletter

Issue: April 2025  |  Cheviot Hills & Beverlywood, Los Angeles

This Month's Article

By Ben Lee S pring is officially here and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

The first few months of 2025 were, for lack of a better word, tough.

With spring comes a sense of renewal and rebirth and I, for one, am optimistic for a more upbeat quarter of the calendar year.

One thing you may notice about springtime is there happens to be a lot of parties, galas and fundraisers.

If you have children, then your school is probably asking for donations and if you’re a local business owner, now is usually the time when well-meaning volunteers ask you to give merchandise or gift cards in support of their charity of choice.

It likely comes as no surprise that real estate agents get asked to support various projects and endeavors more often than other professions.

This is because we’re altruistic and generous to a fault!

But beyond that, of course, it is because so much of our business is a result of good word-of-mouth endorsements and name recognition.

In the split second you see my banner hanging on a school fence, you may be subconsciously thinking: that guy values education (true!), cares about kids’ wellbeing (also true!), he must be a decent guy (hope that’s true!) and therefore will do a good job representing me in my home purchase or sale (definitely true).

In the past, I would be asked to sponsor so many different things that we had to figure out a way to be helpful and generous without going broke.

So, I came up with a policy that essentially said we’d support organizations that directly pertained to a member of the family.

This covered the boys’ various school auctions, neighborhood block parties, close friends’ charities, and a smattering of philanthropies in which relatives were involved.

I wish I could give at the highest level to everyone who asks because not only are they all worthy causes, but I wholeheartedly value the efforts of the doers- those who are out there soliciting funds and doing the actual work to help people in need.

Writing a check is one thing but money won’t do much without the volunteers with boots on the ground, putting those funds to good use.

Now that our sons are a bit older and we are off the hamster wheel of all the pre, elementary and middle school fundraisers, our sponsorships have been more diversified toward a handful of charities actively making a difference in the lives of Los Angelinos.

Recently, I was approached by a neighbor asking if I would be interested in taking out a program ad for the upcoming Assistance League Spring Fundraiser.

She mentioned that her grandmother was one of the original members of this philanthropy started by Anne Banning in 1919.

Since its humble beginnings, essentially a small group of affluent, prominent Los Angeles women providing food/ clothing to those impacted by WW1, the Assistance League has since grown into 120 chapters across America, with about 23,000 volunteers who raise nearly 40 million dollars and help roughly 1.5 million people in need annually.

Learning about the League’s origins is literally a road map of early philanthropy in Los Angeles.

Anne Banning’s brother- in-law, Ben Meyer, served as chairman of the board for Union Bank- a bank that was started in 1914 by his father-in-law, Kaspare Cohn, a real estate investor and developer.

If Cohn’s name sounds familiar, it’s because not only did he help create the city outside of LA called Montebello, but he is also credited with starting many of the Los Angeles institutions that are still around today: Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in 1930 (later merging with Mt.

Sinai Hospital thus becoming Cedars Sinai in 1961), Cohn served as an early President of Temple B’nai B’rith (which later became Wilshire Boulevard Temple), helped create the Los Angeles Social Club and downtown’s California Club in 1869 and was on the organizing committee for the California Jewish Orphans Home (better known today as our neighborhood’s very own Vista del Mar on Motor).

It makes sense that these early Los Angeles residents with such a rich history in philanthropy and creating institutions that have served the test of time would have a connection to the Assistance League, too.

Clearly, charitable giving was a family affair and serves as a reminder that we can all play a part, no matter how big or how small, in giving something back to this city we all love and share.

In fact, one of the tenets of the Assistance League is to encourage the young people it assists to volunteer, too.

Founder Anne Banning often said, “It was fine to serve youth but better to let youth serve.” LA native Shirley Temple was just one celebrity who was involved from an early age and today thousands of teens are giving back to the program by mentoring others, providing meals/hygiene kits for shelters and participating in reading programs and so much more.

The Assistance League is just one of countless worthy causes to which one can contribute.

Sometimes it feels overwhelming when you consider how many organizations that exist that need our help.

I suggest you find the institution that resonates with you and your family and focus on that.

Maybe it’s your school, church or synagogue.

Maybe it’s rolling up your sleeves to help solve the unrelenting homeless issue, how best to combat local crime, or perhaps you want to help create a co-op garden.

The needs are endless but potential to make a difference, limitless.

So, this spring, when you’re asked to lend a hand to a school or charity in need, I hope you’ll consider doing it.

Whether it comes in the form of donating some extra dollars, a gift certificate from your business, or even just an ad in a charity program…. it not only feels good to help but it’s a low-impact way to keep these extremely worthwhile organizations afloat.

Because, after all, this city is really just ours to borrow.

It's our duty and responsibility to leave it better than it was before.

Featured Listings

Community & More

Cheviot Hills happenings By Ben Lee I t may be spring but there’s Summer Lovin’ happening over at Hamilton High.

Catch the final weekend of this fun family musical that has charmed audiences for decades.

Head to hamiltonmusic.org/ events/ to purchase tickets and try hard not to sing along with all those talented T-birds (and Pink Ladies).

Grease is the word! Grease! By Ben Lee T hanks to all those who entered the raffle to win a $50 gift card to Sanook Soi 38!

We had so many entries but only one winner and that distinction goes to: Laura Haydel.

Congratulations! Hope you enjoy all the tasty Thai treats this new restaurant has to offer.

To all those who entered but didn’t win- don’t worry!

There’s always another raffle around the bend (or in this case, down Pico Boulevard!).

This month we are offering a $50 gift card to Al Dente!

Featuring a wide selection of fresh pastas, sauces and authentic pizzas to go, Al Dente makes getting a healthy and delicious dinner on the table a breeze.

To enter, simply send me an email: ben@benleeproperties.com and write ‘Al Dente’ in the subject line.

That’s it! We’ll draw a winner at the end of the month.

Good luck Raffle By Ben Lee I f you found this month’s feature article interesting, you might want to read more about the history of Los Angeles’ Westside.

My father-in-law, Michael Harris, wrote three coffee table books all about this fascinating subject.

The first book, Westside Stories, is a collection of essays of personal musings and remembrances from watching the neighborhood grow and change from the vantage point of his boyhood home on Glenbarr Avenue.

The next book, Westside Stories Too, includes more stories pertaining to the sights, monuments and notable people who shaped the Westside post 1960.

He passed away while writing his 3rd book and it was finished by his younger brother, Jeff.

This final book in the series, More Westside Stories, looks into the development of the region and how various industries (entertainment, golf, aerospace, etc) and personalities shaped the area.

The books are available for purchase on Amazon or if you give me a call, 310-704-6580, I can put you in direct contact with the publisher.

Westside Stories By Lilli Lee I t’s been so much fun matching local singles up with one another!

There have been lots of phone chats, email exchanges, book club joinings, Rancho Park walks and pickleball matches!

Whether you’re looking for companionship, wanting to meet some neighbors or hoping to meet someone to date, please send me a note and let me know.

Guys, there are many ladies who have reached out but fewer gentlemen so if you’ve been on the fence about getting involved, don’t be shy!

I’m definitely not a professional at this, it’s merely a hobby to bring people together.

So, no promises that you’ll meet ‘the one’ but maybe you will and how cool would that be?

Send me a note and I’ll add you to the growing list of local residents looking to meet: lillijlee@yahoo. com.

Singles! By Lilli Lee A nother way to get involved with the community and meet neighbors is to come to our bi-monthly Ladies’ Wine Nights!

The next one will be held on April 30 at the Beverlywood home of Linda di Franco.

These are casual get togethers to get out of the house and meet a few new friends while reconnecting with old ones.

If you’d like to receive all the details, please send me a note: lillijlee@yahoo.com Everyone is invited and we look forward to seeing you there!