The Power of Networking

The Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce has devoted 93 years to Crescenta Valley’s economic health and well-being. As the community and local businesses grow, there is found in the Chamber a leader of economic well-being, cultural advancement and social harmony. Most businesses strive for exponential growth in the first years and continued growth throughout the life of the business, and the Chamber provides a marketing forum for local businesses.

The Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce is a co-founder with Mary Pinola of the Mary Pinola Educational Endowment Fund. At the 93rd annual installation luncheon earlier this month, over $20,000 in grants was awarded from the Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Fund. Grants went to the following organizations and programs: CVHS Instrumental Music Program, Dunsmore Elementary School, Glendale Clean & Beautiful, Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, Rosemont Middle School Special Olympics, St. James the Less School, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital and YMCA of the Foothills.

The Chamber acts as an anchor to help maintain values during rapid community growth. One fun opportunity all Crescenta Valley members – especially for all fun-fact geniuses – can participate in to support our community is by signing up for the Smart-A-Thon. The Smart-A-Thon gives you a chance to show off your knowledge of all things trivial but useful. Proceeds from this event support the Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Fund, a donor advised fund of the Community Foundation of the Verdugos.

Activities such as monthly networking mixers, and annual events such as the Smart-A-Thon and the Hometown Country Fair, allow members to become familiar with their fellow business owners and help construct the face of the community. By creating a strong business structure, the Chamber increases a solid local commerce, the backbone to any stable community.

  Sara Benavidez-Kinley