This regular feature focuses on philanthropic activities by Valley-area companies and businesspeople. Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks began a program this month which will benefit 25 San Fernando Valley elementary schools. The center will host two events with opportunities to raise a combined total of $15,000 to be shared among the schools. The current event, “Shop for a Cause” will continue through January 31, 2007 and gives parents, students and shoppers at Westfield Fashion Square the opportunity to convert their receipts into points towards their individual school. At the end of the program, each school will receive a share of $7,500 in prize money based on the percentage of points earned. The donations will be in the form of Westfield gift cards. The second event “A Friends and Family Shopping Day” will be held on November 12 and is part of the center’s holiday initiative Westfield Works Wonders. The participating schools will be able to earn a share of another $7,500 in cash rewards by promoting and attending that event. “We are excited to be able to support our local schools through our “Shop for a Cause” programs,” said Jennifer Eisenberg, marketing director, Westfield Fashion Square. “This program is part of our on-going commitment to the local community.” Food Bank Donation In an effort to combine creativity and competition to feed the hungry, Canstruction, a design/build contest will be held September 29 through October 4 at the Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks. Twelve teams led by local architects, engineers, contractors, designers and students will compete in designing giant sculptures made entirely out of canned foods. Customers may also contribute to the effort by dropping off their donations of canned food at various bins located throughout the center during the week-long event. At the close of the exhibition, the structures will be dismantled and the canned food along with the customer donations will be distributed to pantries, shelters, soup kitchens, elderly and day care centers under the supervision of the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank. The inaugural contest is being sponsored by State Sen. Jack Scott, the Society for Design Administration, and the American Institute of Architects Los Angeles. University Outreach In an effort to increase the number of college students from underserved Valley communities, the U.S. Department of Education has awarded Cal State Northridge $2.2 million in educational talent search grants aimed at assisting middle and high school students. A total of 1,200 students from 15 San Fernando Valley schools are expected to participate. MDA Campaign Vons/Pavilions raised $452,000 over a five-week company-wide campaign to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). San Fernando Valley stores participated in the campaign along with all 309 Vons/Pavilions locations throughout Southern California. The $452,000 raised by the stores was over and above the division goal by 27 percent. The grocery chain and its parent company, Safeway, have supported the fight against neuromuscular diseases for many years. “MDA is a lifeline to people with neuromuscular diseases and to their families,” said Tom Keller, Vons division president. “We are proud to support an organization that continues to fund groundbreaking research and provides real hope for more effective treatment and ultimately a cure for this family of diseases.” Muscular dystrophy refers to a group of hereditary muscle-destroying disorders. Hospital Scholarship The Encino-Tarzana Hospital charitable foundation has awarded scholarships totaling $57,600 so far this year, with the latest being received by regional occupational program student, Yvonne Nevarez. The recipient received a $1,200 scholarship for her dedication to her studies. The foundation assists those desiring to become healthcare professionals and relies on individuals and the San Fernando Valley business community to help support this goal. Shelter Project The Lakes at Thousand Oaks was the setting for the September 16 dedication of HomeAid’s Project Playhouse, a non-profit program assisting the temporarily homeless. Each year, HomeAid Los Angeles/Ventura’s Project Playhouse brings together members of the building industry to build and donate unique children’s playhouses for public viewing and subsequent live auction. Project Playhouse successfully raises funds and builds awareness because of the donations of many companies such as Landscape Development, Inc. of Valencia and Calabasas-based Countrywide Home Loans. All funds raised go directly to HomeAid which serves victims of domestic violence, abused children, homeless pregnant women, emancipated youths and homeless families. Restaurant Donation Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. celebrated the opening of its newest location at CityWalk at Universal Studios by donating $12,000 to Universal’s philanthropic division, Discover a Star. Donating to the local community is an on-going tradition for the restaurant chain. Established in 1996, the company has since made a practice of contributing 50 percent of the sales from the opening day of each location to support non-profits. To date, Bubba Gump has given more than $1 million to various local and national organizations.
