Cancer Research Fundraising Company Lands Contracts

This is a regular feature on philanthropic activities by Valley-area businesspeople and companies. A company that sells humorous clothing and accessories to raise funds for breast cancer research recently landed contracts with major retailers, the Canoga Park-based company and foundation announced. Ta-tas Brand is the company that creates the products, donating 5 percent of the sales to breast cancer research projects through the Save the Ta-tas Foundation. Torrid will now carry 5,000 shirts and other products in more than 200 stores. Coach House Gifts already carries 430 shirts in 39 stores but plans to carry about 2,000 shirts in all 93 of its stores starting in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Fikse: Founder started company out of her garage. Torrid will carry the products in October while Coach House will carry them year-round. The company also landed a deal this week to sell its silicone bracelets in 7-Eleven stores, said the company’s founder and president Julia Fikse, a fashion designer who started the company out of her garage in 2004. Fikse has seen her company more than double its revenues over the past four years and has largely expanded her product line. She says the growth only helps her cause. “What’s really exciting about our growth is our donations are growing, and we’re able to do so much more to fight breast cancer,” she said. “Our growth as a company is not only great for the company, but it’s great for spreading awareness.” Ta-tas Brand’s signature shirt features its main “Save the ta-tas” slogan while others have sayings such as “Caught you looking at my ta-tas” in order to bring laughter to survivors. The company has already donated more than $450,000 to breast cancer research through its sales, and it has received awards along with the foundation for its fundraising efforts. AV Program Gets Donations The city of Palmdale’s South Antelope Valley Emergency Services received a $250 donation from Waste Management at a local water park on Aug. 31. The check was presented to the program that provides help to families in need at DryTown Water Park in Palmdale under the park’s newest water feature, a tipping bucket located in the Little Miners section of the park. The donation was given during the last of the “Ready, Set, Go Green!” events held at the water park this summer. The events, which focused on raising awareness about recycling, were organized by the Palmdale Youth Council. The “Ready, Set, Go Green!” days collected nearly $200 in recyclables. They also collected more than 2.5 tons of books and more than 400 pounds of clothing and toys, which went to the city program. Those who donated were presented with DryTown reusable bags filled with goods. The Waste Management donation brought the total monetary donation amount collected to $427.27. Collecting School Supplies Momentous Insurance Brokerage organized a school supply drive for Operation School Bell, a group that provides needed goods for underprivileged children in the Los Angeles Unified School District. The drive was held at the insurance company’s headquarters from July 19 to Aug. 13. The company filled four large boxes with donations that included everything from notebooks and pens to tennis shoes and backpacks. “Every day we hear about funding being cut for education,” said Gwyn Shamlin, chairperson for the Momentous Insurance Brokerage’s Make it Better Committee. “No child should have to go to school without the ‘basics.’ We wanted to do our part to facilitate this great cause.” Moving Company Grants Wish NorthStar Moving Corporation offered free moving services and long-term storage to help grant the wish of a Calabasas girl battling cystic fibrosis. The company offered its services as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles’ efforts to grant the group’s 7,000th wish in its history on Aug. 18. The 14-year-old girl, Claire, had made a request for her bedroom to be transformed by a famous interior designer. HGTV’s interior design star Kim Myles was able to complete the mermaid bedroom makeover with the help of NorthStar Moving’s services. “We are pleased that in our own small way we can help Make-A-Wish contribute to Claire’s happiness; it simply makes us feel great about what we do,” said NorthStar Moving Corporation Founder Laura McHolm. The company has been the official mover for the Make-A-Wish chapter, donating free moving and storage facilities to the group in the past. Compiled by Jessica Selva Charity Preview Macy’s will host its signature Charity Preview Shopping Day Event prior to the grand opening of its store at the Antelope Valley Mall in Palmdale. The charity shopping day will be held on Sept. 18, just before the ribbon-cutting opening event of the store on Sept. 22. Tickets for the charity shopping day cost $10 each with the full ticket sale proceeds going to participating charities. Shoppers at the preview event will receive exclusive discounts of 10 to 20 percent off most regular, sale and clearance merchandise. Each shopper will also receive $10 off a single purchase of $25 or more, as well as a chance to enter to win a $500 Macy’s shopping spree. Shopping Center Fundraiser Simi Valley Town Center has kicked off a pink card program, which is part of a national shopping center-focused campaign designed to benefit breast cancer survivors. Shoppers were able to start purchasing pink Back in the Swing gift cards on Sept. 1. The program extends until Oct. 17. With the purchase of a gift card for any amount, a $5 donation will be added to the price to be used toward long-life, post-treatment medical care for breast cancer survivors. Purchasers of the cards also receive bonus discount cards that can be used to save up to 20 percent at participating stores during Back in the Swing Retail Therapy Week, which will be held from Oct. 11 to Oct. 17. The campaign by the nonprofit organization Back in the Swing involves more than 80 shopping centers and shopping districts. – Compiled by Jessica Selva