This is a regular feature on philanthropic activities by Valley-area businesspeople and companies. Friends of Van Nuys Airport donated 99 teddy bears on April 19 for patients at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The group used the airport’s Children’s Hospital helicopter to make the delivery. The helicopter, which was donated by Helinet Aviation CEO Alan Purwin, has been used for the past 14 years solely for use by the hospital. “We are thrilled to take part in the Children’s Hospital and Helinet’s mission to assist children in need,” said Neil Smith, chair of Friends of Van Nuys. Friends of Van Nuys Airport is a community group that supports the airport. The group made the donation after learning of the helicopter’s impact and the involvement the Van Nuys Airport has with the hospital. “The bears will bring a great comfort to children,” said Judy Sherif, program administrator of children’s emergency services at the hospital. “We are thankful for the donation.” Hairspray Helps Cancer Patients Chatsworth-based Sexy Hair Concepts is inviting artists to compete for a chance to design the company’s 2012 Special Edition hairspray cans aimed at raising breast cancer awareness. Entries will be accepted for the company’s Caring is Sexy: Design Contest from May 10 through July 1. Artists from anywhere in the world and of any skill level can apply. Five percent of net proceeds from – up to $40,000 – from sales of the Special Edition hairspray will benefit Sexy Hair’s nonprofit partner Look Good…Feel Better. The organization teaches beauty techniques to cancer patients dealing with the appearance-related side effects of treatment. Also, for every design submission received, Sexy Hair will donate $6 – up to $5,000 total – to the nonprofit organization. “Through Sexy Hair’s Caring is Sexy: Design Contest we are encouraging artist consumers – -whether they be design students or professionals, or just have a creative passion – to showcase their skills for a good cause,” said Karl-Heinz Pitsch, Sexy Hair’s president and CEO. Five designers will be named finalists and will have their creative interpretations posted online for a two-week voting period. A judging panel and the online “people’s choice” vote will determine the contest’s winner. The winner will receive the opportunity to work with Sexy Hair’s in-house creative team, international recognition for the design and Sexy Hair product valued at $500. Dentists Give Computers Two dentists in Northridge and Newhall are giving away computers to the winners of contests that encourage youth to perform good deeds. The contests were launched by Dr. David Shannon in Northridge and Dr. Sarkis Aznavour in Newhall in January. They are open to anyone under 18 years of age and end May 15. Each contest participant is to submit an essay that describes his or her good deed. The winner of each dentist’s contest will receive a brand new computer.
Van Nuys Airport Group Donates to Children’s Hospital
