Fundraiser for Operation Smile

This is a regular feature on philanthropic activities by Valley-area businesspeople and companies. Cydcor, Inc. has named international children’s medical charity Operation Smile program its official corporate cause of the year, the Westlake Village-based sales team outsourcing company announced this month. The company is using its network of independently owned and operated offices to raise funds for the Virginia-based organization that treats facial deformities, such as cleft lips and palates, around the world. “This is the first time we have adopted a charitable organization on this scale – it’s a great way to exercise team building among our offices,” said Gary Polson, the company’s CEO. “Cydcor is proud to support an organization that improves the quality of so many lives.” The company kicked off the support through its third annual Charity Tournament during its R&R Owner’s Weekend event at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort, where it raised $1,600 for Operation Smile. Each competing team paid a $100 entry fee with all the proceeds donated to the charity. Cydcor is also reaching out to its network of offices to achieve a $150,000 fundraising goal that will support Operation Smile’s medical mission currently set to take place in Peru. Offices are establishing their own fundraising campaigns, with fundraising goals starting at $1,000 per office. The company additionally created a “smile” page with a $21,000 fundraising goal, which is enough to fund 90 surgeries. Fresh & Easy Donates $1,000 Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market kicked off the opening of its new Sylmar store by presenting a $1,000 donation to the Sylmar office of Narconon Drug Prevention and Education, Inc. The group, which provides drug education for youth, was selected to receive the donation after the chain invited Sylmar neighbors to nominate charitable organizations through its Web site. The winner was chosen by store employees, who voted on the submissions. The donation was presented on Sept. 8, which was the start of the new market’s five-day grand opening celebration. The store is one of nine to open this month throughout the state. Army of Pink Campaign Glendale Adventist Medical Center has launched its Army of Pink campaign that asks people to vote for one of seven well-known men in the community who are spreading awareness about early breast cancer prevention and detection. The high-profile men, who have agreed to wear pink, will also share information about cancer resources available through the hospital. The candidates include Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian, Glendale Police Chief Ron De Pompa, Glendale Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, Glendale Community College Board President Tony Tartaglia, Healthline Host Gregory Zarian, Former Glendale Mayor Larry Zarian and Glendale Adventist Medical Center Cancer Center Medical Director Dr. Boris Bagdasarian. Glendale City Councilwoman Laura Friedman, who is a breast cancer survivor, is honorary chair of the campaign. Each candidate will have their own campaign video, yard signs, business cards, flyers, dog tags, life-sized cardboard cutouts and other pink collateral material. Campaigning started Sept. 15. Community members can visit GlendaleAdventist.com/armyofpink to vote from Oct. 1 to Oct. 26 for the candidate they think is the best at raising awareness. The winner will be announced Nov. 1, and a plaque with the winner’s name will be displayed in the Outpatient Cancer Center lobby for one year. For every vote – for up to 10,000 voters – the hospital will donate $1 to support the Glendale Relay for Life. CT Scanner Funds Los Angeles Radiology Medical Associates, Inc., committed to donating $50,000 toward the purchase of a new multi-slice CT scanner for Glendale Adventist Medical Center, the hospital announced this month. The donation helps the hospital come closer to its $1.5 million fundraising goal for the new equipment. “It will essentially allow us to combine three studios into one,” said Dr. James Wu, who is a radiologist at the hospital and a partner at Los Angeles Radiology Medical Associates, Inc. “It will give us faster results while lowering the amount of radiation and contrast given to a patient.”. — Compiled by Jessica Selva