Santa Clarita Foundation Gives to Area School District

This is a regular feature on philanthropic activities by Valley-area business people and companies. The Santa Clarita Valley Facilities Foundation, an organization dedicated to locating, acquiring and developing sites for the William S. Hart Union High School District, donated $100,000 to the district’s WiSH Education Foundation. The WiSH foundation raises funds for district programming for students in the 7th through 12th grade. The gift from the SCV Facilities Foundation will help support academic performing arts, athletics, extracurricular and enrichment programs. Hart District Superintendent Rob Challinor said the donation is a tremendous benefit to the Santa Clarita community. “This generous donation is a legacy to the Facilities Foundation that’s going to give the WiSH Education Foundation a huge start for the benefit of all students,” he said. Vons and Pavilions Host Fundraiser Local Vons and Pavilions supermarkets are raising money to support services provided by Easter Seals to local residents with disabilities. The fundraising campaign is being held throughout the month of April and offers customers a chance to make a contribution to the Easter Seals Disability Services at every checkout counter. Funds raised will support job training, pre-school and after-school services and independent living options sponsored by the Easter Seals. This marks the seventh year Vons and Pavilions have hosted the in-store fundraiser, also known as the People with Disabilities campaign. Last year the supermarkets raised more than $1 million. “With a continuing difficult economy and more state cuts for services to people with disabilities across California, their financial support is as important as ever,” said Mark Whitley, chief executive officer of Easter Seals Southern California. Participating Vons locations include Canoga Park, Woodland Hills, Mission Hills, Tarzana, Reseda, Northridge and Granada Hills. Pavilions locations include Sherman Oaks and West Hills. AV Hospital Hosts Workshops Beginning April 20, Antelope Valley Hospital will host a series of free Wellness Workshops each Friday for six weeks. The two-and-a-half hour-workshops aim to help people suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, back pain and coronary artery disease. Lancaster-based High Desert Medical Group will teach the workshop and offer participants advice and insight on a number of topics including communicating with physicians, medication, relaxation and nutritious eating. The workshops aim to improve the ability of participants to manage their symptoms, enhance their relationships with their doctors, and improve their overall health. Westlake Village School Hosts Annual Fundraiser Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village held its Annual Gala Dinner Auction in support of its Financial Aid Program. Held on March 31 in the campus’s Dallas Gymnasium and Bedrosian Pavilion, the event was attended by more than 600 guests. This year, the evening’s theme was DESTINY and included a space motif with planet, stars and space elements. The event included celebrity entertainment, student performances, gourmet cuisine and live and silent auctions. A student talent contest was judged by a panel of celebrities including Ray Parker Jr., Jimmy Jam and Daniel Bedingfield. NBC4’s Fred Roggin served as the emcee for the live auction, which included prizes such as pug puppies, luxury boxes for concerts and sporting events, tickets to Hollywood premiers and walk-on roles for TV shows.