By Robin GOLDSWORTHY
The Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce held its annual installation luncheon on Jan. 9. The event included the distribution of proceeds from the Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Fund to local education-related non-profit organizations.
Lunch was held at the Oakmont Country Club and was attended by fund supporters, civic leaders and business professionals. The newly installed chamber board includes Lola Abrahamian, Chris Aristo (honorary mayor), Bruce Bartels, Ken Biermann, Warren Boehm, Calvin “Kaipo” Chock, Doug Dall, Craig Fisher (treasurer), Leonard Ghazarian (immediate past president), Robin Goldsworthy (secretary), Minella Hambarchian, Holly Heurkins, Marvin Lee, Richard Liss, Cynthia Livingston, Aram Ordubegian (vice president), Steve Pierce (president), Julia Rabago, Mike Riley and JD Speas.
The highlight of the afternoon, though, was the distribution of the grants from the The Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Fund.
Since its inception, the Education Fund has contributed over $118,000 to many local organizations for educational programs or projects in the Crescenta Valley. Established in June 1990 to provide grants, which on average are between $500 and $3,000, the fund is supported by individual contributions and community fundraisers including the Smart-A-Thon that takes place this year on March 26. A quilt created by second-grade teacher Deborah Pruden that was on display at the luncheon was rumored to have many of the answers to this year’s Smart-A-Thon.
This year’s grant recipients are the Instrumental Music Program at Crescenta Valley High School, the Clark Magnet School Robotics Program, YMCA of the Foothills, the Glendale Community College Adaptive Physical Education Program, Mountain Avenue Elementary School, the Family Education Department at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, Rosemont Middle School, CV Alliance, Prom Plus, La Crescenta Woman’s Club and Glendale Healthy Kids.