This regular feature focuses on philanthropic activities in Valley-area companies and businesspeople. The American Cancer Society raised approximately $250,000 during its Valley Relay for Life June 2 at Birmingham High School. During the 24-hour event, teams from San Fernando Valley area businesses, cancer survivors and other individuals took turns walking and running around the high school’s track to raise money for the cancer society. Relays are held regularly throughout the Valley. Area businesses and organizations that took part in the event included the North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, the San Fernando Valley Jaycees, Kaiser Permanente, the Matador Community Credit Union, Ben and Jerry’s in Sherman Oaks, Kaiser Federal Bank, Walgreens stores throughout the Valley, 30 Starbucks locations, Curves for Women, Northridge Hospital and Gap. Baja Fresh and Los Toros Mexican Restaurant in Chatsworth donated food. The funds will go toward research, patient services, programs, education and advocacy, said event chairwoman Heidi Mankoff. The Cancer Society is still accepting contributions, she said. After all the contributions and donations are collected, “our overall contributions is going to be $260,000 to $275,000,” she said. Platinum sponsors for the event were Fashion Square Car Wash, Charity Alliance Realty, Northridge Hospital and the office of District 12 Councilman Greig Smith. Coldwell Banker Donates The Coldwell Banker Foundation recently donated $1,000 to the Van Nuys-based Mary Magdalene Project. The Mary Magdalene Project helps female prostitutes turn their lives around by providing therapy, medical attention and educational development. “Giving back to the local community by helping women turn their lives around through educational intervention is a proud part of what Coldwell Banker stands for,” said Jamie Duran, branch manager of the Studio City office of Coldwell Banker Previews International. Local Students Get Scholarships Two Conejo Valley students were among the recipients of the fifth National Federation of Independent Business Young Entrepreneur Foundation awards, a scholarship program for future small business owners. The local California winners were Westlake High School senior Whitney Blaine, who is also a Westlake Village resident, and Westlake High senior Tiffany Russell, a resident of Thousand Oaks. This year, 423 scholarships were awarded thanks to contributions from Visa, USA; The Wells Fargo Foundation; and Salesgenie.com, among others. The students each receive $1,000 scholarships toward tuition for college, university or trade school attendance. Students were required to write an essay describing their entrepreneurial endeavors and future goals. In addition standardized test scores, GPA and class rank were considered in selecting the winners. Glendale Galleria Joins With Habitat The Glendale Galleria has formed a partnership with the San Gabriel Valley chapter of Habitat for Humanity to help raise awareness and resources for the charitable organization. The Glendale Galleria will be encouraging employees and customers to help build homes and to participate in fundraising events and other public awareness initiatives. Glendale Galleria will kick off its partnership with SGV Habitat for Humanity at a “Family Portraits” event beginning June 15. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 15; from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on June 16 and from noon to 6 p.m. on June 17. It will take place on the lower level in the JC Penney court. The goal of the event is to raise awareness and funds for the next 11 affordable houses that will be built by the chapter. A tiny wood house replica, meant to illustrate the 23.7 percent of total Glendale households that live in overcrowded conditions, will be on display. Visitors will also have the opportunity to write personal messages to the families and make donations to Habitat for Humanity. Movers Aid Domestic Violence Victims Meathead Movers in Camarillo and Santa Barbara is providing free moving services to victims of domestic violence. The service is being provided in conjunction with Domestic Violence Solutions of Santa Barbara County, Interface of Ventura County and The Coalition to End Family Violence in Ventura County. It will expand the moving company’s efforts to support local residents affected by violence. Meathead Movers provides the equipment, including boxes, and services to women who need to leave their homes to flee domestic violence. According to the Department of Justice, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women, injuring more women than muggings, stranger rape and car accidents combined. Since the moving company began the program, it has donated more than $50,000 in free services and has successfully aided in the relocation of dozens of women.
