Community: Coalition sends kids back to classroom in style
Local youngsters have all the supplies they need for the classroom this school year, thanks to a recent back-to-school celebration.
There were 400 donated backpacks given out, along with pens, pencil pouches and folders, said Judith Arandes, executive director of the Burbank Housing Corp., which is a private, nonprofit developer that operates an affordable housing program, four after-school activity centers and two child care centers.
It is a co-sponsor of the school-supply distribution project, which takes place on one of its properties.
This past April, members of the Burbank Coalition of Nonprofits began collecting items for the project.
The committee is made up of representatives from several local organizations including the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley, Kids’ Community Dental Clinic, Salvation Army Burbank Corps, YMCA, Burbank Coordinating Council, Burbank Temporary Aid Center and South Hills Church.
The distribution event serves as a resource fair for families, Arandes said.
“The goal of the celebration is to let parents, especially our lower-income families, know what resources are available in the community for school-age kids and their parents,” she said. “The icing on the cake is the backpack giveaway.”
Backpacks are filled with age-appropriate supplies for boys and girls from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Volunteers spent two days stuffing and labeling the backpacks. On the day of the event, members of local businesses, agencies and civic organizations ran booths offering information and services, such as vision and dental screenings and haircuts.
Representatives from Arts for All conducted arts and crafts workshops. Local organizations provided breakfast, and Panda Express donated lunch.
“It’s really cool, and the kids love it,” Arandes said. “We think we are doing a great favor to these families because getting a kid ready for school can be a real expense. Some of our families have two or three kids going to school at the same time.”
Businesses, civic organizations and individuals donated items and monetary contributions that help defray the costs of holding the event.
Between 30 and 40 volunteers helped run the event, including teenagers, Arandes said. “I think it’s wonderful that all these teenagers are here at 7:30 in the morning, unloading tables and chairs and setting up canopies and distributing water bottles.”
Relay raises $180,000 for cancer support programs
Individuals and businesses were recently thanked for their support of Relay for Life Burbank’s 24-hour fundraiser held in May at Robert Gross Park. The grand total of $180,000 was announced during the Wrap-Up Celebration at the Hangar Grille, said Adriana Serrano, community development manager with the Burbank office of the American Cancer Society.
This year, 39 teams took part in the fundraiser. Those bringing in the most donations were Chad’s Champions with $30,200; the Wesley School coming in a close second with $29,221; and third place went to Fight Like a Girl, which earned $14,236.
The major force behind Chad’s Champions was Susie Becken, whose son Chad lost his battle with colorectal cancer in 2012. Chad’s employer Cast & Crew Entertainment Services continues to be a partner in raising funds for Relay for Life, holding many fundraisers on its Burbank campus.
“I am honored to celebrate, remember and fight back with Cast & Crew’s support for Chad’s Champions in Burbank’s Relay for Life for the past six years,” Becken said.
Receiving special recognition was elementary school student Georgina Gomez, who stepped up to participate after her mother had to drop out because of an illness.
Corporate sponsors recognized were Providence St. Joseph Medical Center for making a $5,000 donation and having a large turnout of employees during the relay, and UCLA Health in Burbank for its $10,000 donation.
Proceeds go to local services such as transporting patients to treatments, lodging for patients coming for treatments far from home and appearance-enhancement appointments for skin care and wigs.
For more information, visit cancer.org or call (800) 227-2345.
Officials are already recruiting volunteers for the 2018 Relay for Life. To become involved, contact Serrano at adriana.serrano@cancer.org or call (818) 480-4841.
Elks honor leaders in the community
The Burbank Elks Lodge #1497 will honor Burbank’s Teacher, Police Officer, Firefighter and City Employee of the Year at its Civic Awards Dinner on Aug. 30 at the lodge.
The Elks supports the community and local groups, including Boy Scout Troop 210, which will be serving dinner at the event.
The Burbank Elks Lodge is located at 2232 N. Hollywood Way, behind the Public Storage building. Social hour will begin at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and the awards program at 7 p.m.
To attend, call (818) 848-5508, Ext. 10.
JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.