Chamber grants more than $7,000

Crescenta Valley group's grants will help 13 community organizations, including schools.LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- The Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce installed its new officers Wednesday and gave away $7,625 in grants to 13 local philanthropic agencies and schools during its 81st annual installation luncheon at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club.

The grants ranged from $250 to $1,000, chamber Executive Director Jean Maluccio said.

Paul Dutton, a 25-year La Crescenta resident, was sworn in as president. He took on the role to give something back to the community, he said.

"We are bestowed with so many excellent people to help the area grow," Dutton said. "I want to be a part of that."

Chamber member Grace Chase also swore in Howard Hakes as vice president, Leslie Kasperson as secretary, Craig Fisher as treasurer and Ira Hartas honorary mayor.

The three new directors are Mae Abou-Charka, Lisa Cabrera and Liza Morelli.

Outgoing president Rick Dinger, outgoing Director Chuck Sambar and outgoing Honorary Mayor Neil Ryan were also honored as they handed over their duties.

"Unlike a lot of groups, 100% of the effort bounces right back to the community," said Dinger, who also recognized Ryan's popularity.

"He rarely gets the accolades he deserves," Dinger said "He's stealth. When something needs to be done, he does it before he even gets asked."

Sambar, a Glendale Unified School District Board of Education trustee and past chamber president, has spent 25 years as a member of the chamber.

"What gets me excited is the volunteers, the people who care about their community," Sambar said. "They have a sense of pride and a commitment to retaining a high quality of life."

The grant money came from the Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Educational Endowment Fund, which was established as a tribute to Pinola, a former honorary mayor in 1990, because of her work with local educational program.

The organizations who received the grants were: Roger Barkley Foundation, Crescenta Valley High School Prom Plus, Crescenta Valley High School Instrumental Program, Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Explorer's Program, Descanso Gardens, Desi Geestman Foundation, Glendale Educational Foundation, Glendale Healthy Kids, Holy Redeemer Catholic School, Monte Vista Elementary School, Rosemont Middle School, St. James Catholic School and the Verdugo Hills Hospital Foundation.