Mike Shaar, left, with his SIG Property Management team members.
By Robin GOLDSWORTHY
Though most people don’t like taking a test, more than 150 people showed up to the fourth floor council rooms at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital on March 7 to take the ultimate trivia test at the Smart-A-Thon.
The Smart-A-Thon is one of the biggest fundraisers for the CV Chamber of Commerce/Mary Pinola Education Fund. Founded in 1990, over the years the fund has awarded over $250,000 in grants to educationally directed organizations. The money typically enhances programs already in place. Recipients in 2018 included Crescenta Valley High School Instrumental Music Program ($2,999), Dunsmore Elementary School ($2,100), Glendale Clean & Beautiful ($1,000), Rose Bowl Aquatics Center in Partnership with Glendale Community College ($3,500), Rosemont Middle School ($2,791), Special Olympics at CVHS ($2,302), St. James – Holy Redeemer School ($2,699), USC Verdugo Hills Hospital ($2,000) and YMCA of the Foothills ($750).
In addition to the trivia test, attendees had the chance to network, bid on a variety of silent auction items and participate in various contests – this year included a hula dance contest that came complete with hula skirts.
Emcees Mike Smith of Bob Smith Toyota and CV Station Capt. Chris Blasnek greeted the dignitaries in the audience, which included representatives from local, state and national offices, and representatives from the Glendale Unified School District among others.
Just as the pair was getting ready to announce the beginning of the test, “Wizard” Chris Waldheim of J’s Maids and Maintenance made his way into the room toward a crystal ball. The goal was to see the future, but the ball was giving no clues as to who would be the big winner of the day. Teams were then given 25 minutes to tackle the 66 questions. After all the answer sheets were collected, it was announced that, for the third consecutive year, the team from Congressman Adam Schiff’s office took first place, tying with the SIG Property Management team. In addition, two non-profits were each awarded $500 in cash. These were USC VHH and Rose Bowl Aquatics Center. SIG Property Management also won the pot o’ gold drawing, but donated it to the Education Fund.
Plans are already in the making for the 2019 Smart-A-Thon, which is planned for Wednesday, March 13.
To learn more, call the CV Chamber of Commerce at (818) 248-4957.
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