This is a regular feature on philanthropic activities by Valley-area businesspeople and companies. Benefit for YMCA Picanha Churrascaria is hosting an event with all proceeds to benefit the Burbank Community YMCA to Celebrate their 10 year anniversary to be held March 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. CEO JC Holt of the Burbank Community YMCA remarked that having community partners like Picanha who understand the importance of healthy eating is “one of the most important things about Burbank. Tickets are $35 each. A buffet of salads and vegetables, meats and Brazilian side dishes will be served with an included dessert. IHOP Pancake Day At the national Pancake Day IHOP on Feb. 23 locations in Glendale and Encino gave each guest a short stack of buttermilk pancakes to raise awareness and funds for The Los Angeles Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network nationally. IHOP has a national goal to raise $1.75 million this year. This would add up to $5 million dollars in their National Pancake Day efforts. The fundraising window was extended until Feb. 28. In 2009, $1.5 million was donated to children’s charities nationally and 2.5 million pancakes were served. Since 2006, IHOP has raised $3.25 million and given away 6.1 million pancakes. The first IHOP location opened in Toluca Lake in 1958, and as of Sep. 2009 there were 1,433 IHOPs in 50 states. Lockheed Federal Credit Union Donation Burbank-based Lockheed Federal Credit Union and their employees have donated $133,000 and 720 hours of community service to local charities since 2008. Some of these charities included the Burbank Temporary Aid Center, For the Troops, Penny Lane and the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center. The company also had hosted 11 volunteer opportunities as of February for company participation. Employee financial contributions to the charities were made through payroll deductions. LFCU’s Community Star Foundation’s Board of Directors decides annually where to donate the funds collected on behalf of local charities. Healthy Kids Fair Glendale Adventist Medical Center and the City of Glendale, Parks Recreation and Community Service and CVS Pharmacy are partnering to offer For the Kids Health Fair, which will include free services and health screenings. It will take place April 17 from10 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Edison Pacific Community Center. Free services offered include dental and scoliosis screenings, blood pressure tests and stress management screenings. Other parts of the event include healthy eating tips, pulmonary testing, healthy lifestyle entertainment, chair massages and information on child car seat inspections. For more information contact Camille Levee at (818) 548-7931 or visit glendalehealthykids.org. Safe Passage Benefit Local dentist Dr. Bruce Vafa, who donates his services to Safe Passage clients, was honored at a gala luncheon to benefit Safe Passage at the Universal Sheraton on Feb. 14. John Wurtz, a CPA in Newbury Park who contributed to the silent auction and is a donor to Safe Passage, said he was profoundly affected by the women’s stories. Shaun and Lisa Brickhandler of LoveMyCharity.com served as sponsors for the event. Amy Martin Friedman exhibited photography, and there was a live auction and entertainment. Other contributors include the P&G Salon in Woodland Hills which donated Sebastian Products, the Van Nuys Airport Propeller Association which auctioned a plane ride and the law offices of Dawn Schleizer that sponsored a table. Synergy Business Results’ Kimm Thorton donated her time to serve as Public Relations person for the event. Universal Care was also a major sponsor and donates free care to Safe Passage patients. Free Services to Heart Patient For the fifth year Dr. Gholam Mohammadzadeh and Providence Tarzana have provided free services to a Jamaican heart patient through a program co-sponsored by Providence Tarzana and the Rotary Club of Conejo Valley Centennial in Westlake Village. Claude Irving, the Jamaican heart patient needed a heart repair to relieve a serious heart enlargement which wasn’t available in Jamaica. Negin Mohammadzadeh and her husband, Dr. Mohammadzadeh, have arranged for travel lodging and patient care. Dr. William Foster, an internist and cardiologist in Jamaica established a relationship with the medical center to perform surgery on the patient. Irving was released from the hospital the weekend of Feb. 26. – Compiled by Emily Pauker
Pancake Giveaway Raises Funds for Children’s Charities
