The Amgen Foundation recently made contributions totaling $200,000 to assist food banks through the holidays, including a $75,000 grant to FOOD Share of Ventura County. The $75,000 grant will allow FOOD Share to continue its services in partnership with the 155 agencies that it works with throughout Ventura County. FOOD Share provides supplemental nutrition to about 1,800 low income seniors and after-school snacks to the same number of children, feeding more than 40,000 monthly. Ensuring a Good Holiday For 14 years, USI Insurance Services has supported the LAPD’s Foothill Division’s annual Holiday Basket Program. Each year the firm partners with the Division to provide gift items and cash to help fellow citizens in need as a result of economic conditions and most recently fire victims. This year, as in years past, several USI clients also participated in the program. Lenelle Duecker, senior vice president at USI, said that OPI gave 400 bottles of polish. “They were all hot colors. One of the Foothill Officers said this was such a blessing as they were trying to find gifts for older girls.” She also said Imperial Toys of North Hills donated more than 400 toys in their fifth year participating; John Paul Mitchell Systems of Santa Clarita gave 300 tubes of scented Body Butter. This was the second year they donated. On top of the gifts, USI also presented the LAPD with a check for just under $3,800. “That includes a contribution from USI, as well as funds donated by employees,” said Duecker. Honoree Keeps on Giving In October, Peter C. Foy, president and CEO of the Woodland Hills-based insurance company that bears his name, was named the 2008 San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission’s Honoree of the Year. He received the award on behalf of the eponymous foundation he chairs which has sponsored an annual toy drive since the year 2000. Not resting on his laurels, this year the Foy Toy Drive collected more than 30,000 gifts that were distributed to 26 Southern California organizations. A wide variety of businesses hosted donation boxes and gathered toys from customers and employees. A complete list of donors can be found at the foundation’s website at www.petercfoyfoundation.org. Health Benefits Kaiser Permanente presented a grant for $200,000 to the Samuel Dixon Family Health Center and a grant for $90,000 to Northeast Valley Health Corporation. The grant came through Kaiser’s Community Benefit Program. Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers has facilities in Canyon County, Val Verde and Newhall and will use the funds to support a new full-service health center in Newhall that is expected to provide approximately 12,000 patient visits per year. Northeast Valley Health Corporation, which also serves the Santa Clarita Valley, will use their money to redesign their Valencia facility, adding lab space, an exam room, and more room to store medical records. Cash and More Employees of the Glendale-based Disney Store Inc. donated more than $16,000 raised from sample product sales to two Pasadena charities in December. They also sponsored a holiday party for tweens and adopted nine families for the holidays.