Charities given tune-up by Road Kings
The Burbank Road Kings car club is still on the gas. The 60-year-old organization has pooled funds raised from two car shows this year and distributed $18,000 to its community charities during a dinner meeting on Sept. 11 at the Elks Lodge.
President Rick Kalisz conducted the meeting and called for a moment of silence to remember victims of the Sept. 11 attacks and their families.
Representatives from local charities took the stage to thank the Road Kings for their donations and to deliver a synopsis of what their organizations do.
Burbank Historical Society board members Les and Elaine Rosenberg accepted a donation on behalf of the historical society. Elaine Rosenberg noted that the society’s Gordon R. Howard Museum, next door to the Creative Arts Center in Izay Park, is one of Burbank’s greatest treasurers, as well as the city’s best-kept secret.
“We really don’t want to be,” Elaine Rosenberg said, adding the facility is open from 1 to 4 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday, has guest speakers, tours for children, a vintage auto display, and displays celebrating local businesses like Lockheed, Disney and Warner Bros.
Also receiving donations were Burbank Police Captain Denis Cremins, representing the Burbank Police and Fire Museum, and Assistant Fire Chief Kenet Robertson and Engineer Terry Mencuri, accepting a donation for the Burbank Muster Club. The Muster Club, composed of a group of firefighters that are history buffs, is restoring two antique fire vehicles they will have on display at Road Kings car shows and other special community events.
Donations were given to Burbank Park and Recreation Management Services and Joslyn Adult Center, and were accepted by city employee Lisa Deluca. Funds raised go to programs at local parks and programs, and to resources and activities for seniors, Deluca said.
“Thank you for bringing more into Burbank to make life fun,” she told Road Kings members.
Other donations were made to Kids Charities of the Antelope Valley, Boy Scouts of America Verdugo Hills Council, Boys & Girls Club, Burbank Temporary Aid Center, Burbank High School auto shop, Burroughs small engine repair, La Providencia Guild of Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, Tierra del Sol, Relay for Life, Haiti Children’s Playground, high school scholarship fund, the National Hot Rod Assn. Museum, and food and gifts for two families in the Burbank Coordinating Council Holiday Basket program.
Business woman nominated for top honor
The American Business Women’s Assn. named Martha Preciado, M.D., of Tujunga, one of the Top 10 Business Women of the Year.
The national ABWA honors 10 outstanding members for achieving excellence in career, education and community involvement each year. One of the 10 will be selected to represent the association as the American Business Woman of ABWA during the national conference from Oct. 11 to 13 in Memphis.
Dr. Preciado is a six-year member and leader of Glendale’s ABWA Verdugo Glen chapter, where she has served as vice president, Woman of the Year 2011, Education and Fundraising Events Chairwoman, and on many committees. The chapter has members from Burbank and Glendale.
She received her medical degree from UCLA, where she is an Assistant Professor at the School of Medicine. Dr. Preciado is president and chief executive officer of Preciado Cardiology in Los Angeles, where she treats and educates the community in cardiovascular disease, especially among Latinos. In 2011, she traveled to Kitale, Kenya to visit villages and tribes, providing supplies and educational services related to cardiovascular disease.
JOYCE RUDOLPH can be contacted at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.