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Friday, Mar 29, 2024

Doll Manufacturer Donates Truckloads of Toys

Three local charities will provide holiday cheer by the truckload this year thanks to the efforts of a group of Valley executives. Child Care Resource Center in Chatsworth, Child and Family Guidance Center in Northridge and California Institute of Health and Social Services all enjoyed big boosts to their seasonal toy drives after Rick Pearson, principal of commercial real estate firm Cresa in Woodland Hills, recruited some friends at MGA Entertainment Inc. in Van Nuys to donate to the nonprofits’ causes. “This began with a request (that the company) donate ‘some toys’ to nonprofits I knew were having drives,” Pearson said. The toy manufacturer, best known for its Bratz products, took the task to heart on Nov. 2. MGA’s Ryan Hekmat, Jason Larian, Eli Makabi and Tony Hernandez rounded up tons of dolls and games – enough to fill the 24-foot truck donated by Mark Cordell of Environments Plus in San Fernando not once, but twice. “We more than accomplished our goal of getting almost two truckloads of toys in the hands of some local charities,” Pearson said. “These toys are going to change the holidays for hundreds of children in our community.” Woodbury’s Presidential Honor Woodbury University in Burbank was among 16 finalists nationwide for the 2015 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll General Community Service Award. The designation is the highest honor a university can receive for dedication to civic engagement, volunteer work and service-learning. “The entire Woodbury community is very proud of this presidential honor for community service and civic engagement,” said Woodbury President David Steele-Figueredo. “We achieve academic excellence by focusing on purposeful student engagement; establishing community partnerships; and cultivating a personal, interactive learning environment that focuses on innovative, practice-based education.” The White House named Woodbury’s 2014 Civic Engagement Symposium, its Agency for Civic Engagement and service learning initiatives at the School of Business as among its reasons for including the university one of the finalists. Woodbury estimates that as many as 30 percent of its undergraduate students participate in community and civic service. Woodbury plans to continue its volunteer and community outreach efforts through its Agency for Civic Engagement, Steele-Figueredo said. Formerly the “Architecture + Civic Engagement Center,” the organization was re-branded last year with a new name and an updated mission of helping Woodbury students connect with local nonprofits and service groups. Its projects include work with the Skid Row Housing Trust and residents of low-income neighborhoods. Turkey Dinners North Valley Family YMCA in Northridge and the office of Los Angeles Councilman Mitchell Englander delivered a record 3,500 turkey dinners to San Fernando Valley families on Nov. 14 and 15. “This is a project that people are very passionate about,” North Valley Family YMCA Executive Director Jane Stanton said. “Our volunteers want to help the many people that are in need.” Around 300 volunteers assisted with assembling this year’s meals, which included a turkey, vegetables, potatoes, stuffing and canned goods. As in years past, the turkeys were purchased from Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in Porter Ranch, Stanton said. “Walmart in Porter Ranch works with us,” Stanton said. “They help us a great deal with the pricing and are very supportive.” Businesses and neighborhood councils contribute, Stanton said, but individuals play a significant role in reaching the $40,000 goal. “The majority comes in $40 or $100 gifts from (YMCA) members and volunteers,” she said. “We buy the turkeys and the supplies. With 3,500 baskets, we’re able to help about 11,000 people.” North Valley YMCA board member Maithili Patil has been working with Stanton on the project since it began eight years ago. Its impact has grown 70-fold in that time, Patil said. “We started with 50 families, and as the need has grown, we have reached 3,500,” she said. “It’s amazing to know that people will have these meals on Thanksgiving.” Englander’s L.A. City Council District 12 also has been involved in the effort since its inception, providing money and manpower to aid in distributing the meals. Yet it is Stanton’s dedication that continues to make the drive so successful, Council District 12 Communications Director Stephanie Saporito explained. “The generosity of the community is astounding,” she said. “It really does surpass our expectations, year after year.” Reporter Helen Floersh can be reached at [email protected] or at (818) 316-3121

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