ENCINO : Chamber Donates $17,000 to Schools

Christmas came early for a handful of Encino public schools when the local chamber of commerce donated nearly $17,000 to the schools for computer equipment and other supplies.

The money, which was raised during the Encino Chamber of Commerce’s “Taste of Encino” food festival in September, was donated to the schools in a ceremony Thursday. It will be spent on educational aids, including audiovisual equipment, software and books.

Jan Sobel, executive director of the chamber, said the donations were an investment in the future.

“The schools have severe financial problems right now,” Sobel said. “And the students attending them are our future business leaders and customers. This cause is very important to us.”

Schools receiving donations were: Nestle Avenue, Emilita and Encino elementary schools, Mulholland Middle School and Birmingham, Taft and Zane Grey high schools.

The money was divided among the schools based on the number of hours students and faculty members volunteered during the food fair.

About 60 Taft High School students turned out, earning the school $4,200.

Taft college counselor Linda Zimring said some of the money would be spent to buy a camera and tripod for the drama department and copy machine for the counseling office.

Zane Grey Principal Art Mencher said the $800 his school was given would be used to buy books for elective classes, a backboard for an outdoor basketball court, and a printer for a computer.

“We are very appreciative of the chamber’s support,” Mencher said. “These are all things we did not have the budget for.”