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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024

Children Learn Photography Skills Thanks to Grant

This is a regular feature on philanthropic activities by Valley-area business people and companies Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley receives $20,000 Grant P&G North America Salon Professional, a division of Proctor & Gamble, donated $20,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley in support of its “Finding Beauty at the Boys & Girls Club” program. The program provides fine arts training to local children. The funding from the Woodland Hills-based P&G division will help add a photography component that will teach children to take photos, edit them on a computer and use the photos to create projects. The program, which will be offered once a week at five West Valley Club locations, will also feature the children’s work in the Club’s Art Exhibit and be entered into the National Boys and Girls Club of America Photography Contest. P&G Salon Professional CEO Reuben Carranza said the company wanted to support the community through the artistic and academic development of its young people. “The Boys and Girls Club has stepped in to fill the void created by the removal of arts education from Valley schools, and we at P&G Salon Professionals want to support and help them extend those efforts,” Carranza said. American Vision Windows and Solar Support Local Sports Team American Vision Windows and Solar, a Simi Valley window and solar panel installation company, has offered its support to Grace Brethren Youth Football. The company donates equipment to the team, and the company’s owner, Bill Herren, serves as a full-time coach for the sports program, said the American Vision President Al Alfieri. “This is his first year coaching,” Alfieri said. “He’s always been involved with the school, but this year he’s really committed a tremendous amount of time.” The program is open to students between ages 6 and 14. Herren, former football player for Ohio State University, said his involvement in the program stems from his own experience as a young athlete. “This experience has opened up my heart to give back and support a program like GBYS, where I can demonstrate what it means to be a godly leader, as well as help guide and direct these young kids on the right path,” Herren said. Verizon Grants $25,000 to Local Domestic Violence Agency Canoga Park-based Haven Hills received a $25,000 HopeLine grant from Verizon Wireless. The domestic violence prevention agency will use the grant to expand its services which include counseling, case management and referral services. The agency will also use the funds to refurnish the apartments in the facility. Sara Berdine, executive director of Haven Hills, said the economic downturn has “challenged” the agency’s core services. Verizon’s HopeLine program collects phones that are no longer being used and refurbishes them to be resold. The proceeds are then donated to domestic violence-prevention agencies. “The Verizon Wireless HopeLine grant ensures our shelter victims will have the comprehensive support and advocacy necessary to help them find their voice again and break the cycle of violence,” Berdine said. “A thank you to Verizon just doesn’t seem to be enough.” – Compiled by Angela Melero

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