Don Anderson

Virginia and Ian MacLean chair 2008 Ojai Hospital fund-raising gala.

Although Virginia and Ian MacLean moved to Ojai mainly for the golf, they've come to value something more in the 12 years they've lived in this idyllic community: its spirit of volunteer service and philanthropy.

"The strong sense of giving something back to the community makes Ojai the desirable place that it is," Virginia believes. "Many of the services and programs we use and enjoy wouldn't be here at all if people didn't give so generously of their time, talent and money."

The MacLeans, who still golf, know first-hand what community participation can do. Ian is secretary of the Rotary Club of Ojai and was formerly the club's director of community service. Virginia is a past president of the Women's Committee of the Ojai Music Festival, which helps support music education in the area's schools.

Both are involved with the Ojai Valley Community Hospital Foundation Guild and this year are serving as honorary hosts of the Guild's Nightingale Ball on Nov. 1. The gala event will raise funds for a portable patient monitoring machine for the hospital's new Emergency Room.

"As a retired physician with a background in academic medicine, I'm familiar with how well community hospitals can function," says Ian. "I'm particularly impressed with the way these facilities handle every-day medical situations and with the high level of patient service they provide.

"I know-as a doctor, a patient and Ojai resident-how important our local hospital is to this community, and I want to help it serve us well," he added. "The hospital service here in Ojai and the nursing staff are particularly exemplary, and I'm pleased to be part of the Guild's fund-raising efforts in support of the hospital."

As honorary hosts of the Nightingale Ball, the MacLeans will greet guests as they arrive at Top of the Harbor Room at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ventura overlooking the Pacific."This will be a wonderful event with dinner, dancing, live auction and sweeping view of the ocean and shoreline," Virginia maintains. "Last year's Ball raised more than $150,000 to complete the community's share of building a new Emergency Room. I know this community will come through again to help provide state-of-the-art equipment for the ER."

Information about sponsorship and underwriting opportunities, as well as information about purchasing individual tickets or raffle chances, is available at the Guild office, 640-2317.