Antelope Valley Hospital Snags $24,000 Verizon Grant

This is a regular feature on philanthropic activities by Valley-area business people and companies. This is a regular feature on philanthropic activities by Valley-area business people and companies. The Forensic Services Unit at Antelope Valley Hospital recently received a $24,000 grant from Verizon. The grant will fund new supplies and equipment, including a diffused light source to enhance the quality of photos. The funds will also provide continuous training for FSU staff, a requirement set by Los Angeles County to ensure the hospital maintains its status as a Center of Excellence. Since 2004, the FSU has offered support to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. This year the unit treated over 350 patients. Edward Mirzabegian, AV Hospital’s CEO, said the hospital was grateful for the grant as it will help “enhance the FSU to better serve the Antelope Valley community.” Valley Presbyterian Hosts Stroke and Wellness Fair On October 29, Valley Presbyterian Hospital hosted a Stroke and Wellness Fair in celebration of World Stroke Day. The Van Nuys hospital provided health screenings for blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol, as well as free flu shots and cooking demonstrations. It also provided body fat testing and carotid artery testing to help determine vulnerability to strokes. The fair, which was free and open to the public, was sponsored by the World Stroke Campaign as a means to promote education on stroke prevention. Gustavo Valdespino, president and CEO of Valley Presbyterian Hospital said the hospital is committed to preventing strokes through education, outreach and “efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke patients.” Burbank Public Library Receives Grant to Replace Damaged Books On October 18, The Burbank Public Library received a $15,000 donation from nonprofit organization, the Friends of the Burbank Public Library, to replace books damaged by a flood caused by a burst water pipe. The April incident ruined over 1,000 library books, with recovery costs estimated at $25,000. Although many of the damaged books are out of print and can’t be replaced, the funds “will go a long way to filling all those empty shelves in the non-fiction section,” said Sharon L. Cohen, the library’s services director. “We’re very grateful to have such a generous organization as the Friends to back us up in times of trouble,” Cohen said. Semtech Funds $20K In Annual Scholarships Looking to give back to the community, Camarillo-based Semtech, a manufacturer of analog and mixed signal semiconductors, said that it is establishing a $20,000-a-year scholarship fund, for college bound students in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Semtech said it will fund the scholarship every year via the California Community Foundation (CCF) in Los Angeles, and the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF). The scholarship will go to assist low-income, graduating high school seniors in the two counties. Semtech said it will award four scholarships of $5,000 each, two in each county, to students seeking undergraduate degrees in physics, engineering, chemistry, math, or business. The scholarships also give special consideration to female and foster children. Complied by Angela Melero