The Laguna Playhouse has received two $5,000...

The Laguna Playhouse has received two $5,000 grants for its Disabled Actors Project from the BankAmerica Foundation and the McDonnell Douglas West Employees Community Fund. The 2-year-old project trains young physically challenged actors. Earlier this year, Toyota USA also contributed $5,000 to the project.

“We are especially proud that this particular program not only provides cultural accessibility, but also acts as a therapeutic human service by building self-esteem among youngsters overcoming a variety of physical impairments,” said David J. Knutsen, of BankAmerica’s Laguna Beach branch.

The McDonnell Douglas grant was the first made by the fund to the Laguna Playhouse. In another first-time grant, the Subaru of America Foundation contributed $1,000 to the Playhouse for its Youth Theater.

More than $5,000 was raised Sunday at the Righteous Brothers’ Hop in Fountain Valley in an evening of entertainment to benefit Rainbows to End Hunger, the Education Network and the Orange County Homeless Issues Task Force. Righteous Brother Bill Medley headlined the event, which featured the bands After Hours and Mystery School and performers Ken Orso and Mary Ekler.