Antelope Valley Hospital Receives Money for Cath Lab

This is a regular feature on philanthropic activities by Valley-area businesspeople and companies. A recent donation by Antelope Valley Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary to the hospital’s foundation will be used to expand the healthcare facility’s cardiac catheterization lab, the hospital announced. The expansion of the lab, funded by the $200,000 donation, will allow the hospital to treat multiple patients at once, eliminating the need to travel out of the area for advanced care. The funds, which make up the largest one-time donation to the foundation in recent years, were raised through sales at the hospital’s gift shops, sales at its New to You thrift store and fundraisers organized by the Volunteer Auxiliary. Auxiliary members also volunteered time by working in the gift and thrift shops. “AV Hospital appreciates the Volunteer Auxiliary’s generous investment in the hospital so we can respond to the healthcare needs of Antelope Valley residents,” said Edward Mirzabegian, the hospital’s CEO. Recent developments at the lab include the purchase of two pieces of new cardiovascular digital imaging equipment. Hunger Campaign The Cheesecake Factory has kicked off a campaign featuring American Idol Season 9 finalists to benefit domestic hunger relief charity group Feeding America, the Calabasas-based company announced. As part of the restaurant chain’s summer “Share Your Voice” campaign, it has created a pop-up “Idol-oke” stage where concertgoers can sing for a chance to meet season finalist Lee DeWyze at The Cheesecake Factory in Hollywood. Each performance is videotaped and uploaded to the chain’s campaign Website. The Cheesecake Factory is also inviting its guests to submit pledges through September through the campaign Website to take action in support of Hunger Action Month. Guests can commit to one of five actions, which include donating food, volunteering, writing to elected officials, advocating to friends and donating money to Feeding America. Each guest donating $5 or more receives an e-Slice, which is redeemable for a free slice of cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory. Those making pledges on the Website get to view a special thank-you video featuring the American Idol Season 9 finalists. The Cheesecake Factory is also donating to Feeding America from proceeds taken from sales of slices of its new Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake. Nelson Mandela Day Dole Food Company, Inc.’s South Africa division celebrated Nelson Mandela Day by enabling 92 children to meet the nation’s former president for his 92nd birthday, the Westlake Village-based company announced. The company made it possible for the children to fly from the villages of Qunu and Mveso in the Eastern Cape to Johannesburg in South Africa to meet the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. “I am proud of our team in South Africa for being involved in such an important initiative and putting Dole’s global commitment to social responsibility into practice,” said Dole President and CEO David DeLorenzo. Nelson Mandela Day is a day that encourages members of the public to do something good for at least 67 minutes in honor of Mandela’s 67 years of public service. Golf Event The American Society of Association Executives will hold its Annual Golf Classic event at the Angeles National Golf Club in Sunland to raise funds for research, the group announced. The event, to be held on Aug. 20, will precede the group’s 2010 Meeting & Exposition scheduled to take place in downtown Los Angeles. The funds raised through the golf event are used to support the organization’s Annual Fund for Research and Innovation. The goal of the fund is to raise $150,000 each year, with $25,000 coming from the golf event. “The Annual Fund raises money for the ASAE Foundation which maximizes the effectiveness of associations and association professionals through research, leadership, innovation and the use of research-based knowledge,” said John Graham IV, the organization’s president and CEO. The event location was selected by the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau.