GE, Presidential Foundation Partner to Help Students

This is a regular feature on philanthropic activities by Valley-area businesspeople and companies. This is a regular feature on philanthropic activities by Valley-area businesspeople and companies. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and GE recently awarded 22 students with scholarships. The GE-Reagan Foundation scholarship program provides each honoree with $10,000 a year for up to four years. The money is allocated for student tuition, room and board while the student pursues a bachelor’s degree at an accredited U.S. college or university. The honorees are also invited to participate in the first “Recipients Retreat” at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley this summer. The scholarship program is in its first year of existence. It awards students who embody the vision and values of President Reagan, including leadership, drive, integrity and citizenship, the foundation said. “The thousands of GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program applications we received provide that today’s youth are determined and inspiring leaders,” said John Heubusch, the foundation’s executive director. The foundation received more than 5,300 completed applications from students across the country. Five of the 22 award winners are from California. Up to 200 four-year college scholarships totaling more than $8 million will be awarded during the course of the 10-year program, GE and the foundation announced. GE, which is a presenting sponsor of the “Ronald Reagan Centennial Celebration,” committed $5 million to establish the scholarship program. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation is contributing $3 million. Pet Store Awards Rescue Group Pet supply store Kriser’s has donated $25,000 worth of pet food and supplies to a local animal shelter, the winner of a Facebook contest. The Sherman Oaks-based multi-store retailer made the donation to Homestretch Greyhound Rescue & Adoption. Kriser’s, which honored the group at its store in Studio City, made the donation in partnership with companies Canidae, Merrick and WellPet. The prize is part of the company’s “Christmas in July” campaign on Facebook that asked fans to vote for their favorite shelters and rescue groups in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Homestretch Greyhound Rescue & Adoption received 2,700 votes. Due to the community’s support for the contest, Kriser’s announced that it will also provide $5,000 worth of pet food and supplies to Ken-Mar Rescue, the group that came in second place with more than 1,200 votes. “We created the Christmas in July contest to give back to the animal community we care so much about and to drive awareness to the staggering amounts of pets that are looking for loving families,” said Brad Kriser, the company’s founder and CEO. The contest was open for voting from June 28 through July 18. Fans were allowed one vote per person per day. Company Donates Medical Devices Caldera Medical Inc. donated $300,000 of medical products to surgeons throughout the United States who are traveling abroad on mission trips. The donation was made in order to support its humanitarian aid program, which the Agoura Hills-based company started in May 2010. Caldera Medical manufactures surgical implants for gynecology, urology and urogynecology uses. The company donated products that treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress incontinence, as well as other supplies. “Caldera Medical will continue to support humanitarian aid as a large number of women in poverty stricken countries suffer from incontinence and prolapse,” said Bryon L. Merade, the company’s chairman and CEO. “By providing our implants, we can help drastically improve a woman’s quality of life.” Dr. Moeen Abu-Sitta, director of the Buffalo General Hospital Women’s Center for Bladder & Pelvic Health, received donated products for a 10-day trip to the Gaza Strip, which he said made a big difference. “The trip was very productive,” he said. “I was able to perform 10 procedures in the short time I was there and trained 16 urologists and gynecologists at Al Awda Hospital.” Surgeons can apply to receive free product to support their humanitarian aid efforts by contacting Sandra Muhlfeld at [email protected]. – Compiled by Jessica Vernabe