“My motivation is to help the community,” said Waldheim, 40. “It certainly is nothing that is so significant.”
Serving his community doesn’t stop with the Chamber of Commerce. Between running his Glendale custodial services business — J’s Maintenance — and raising a family, Waldheim still makes time to give back.
One organization that he prides himself on being a part of is the YMCA.
Since 2000, Waldheim has served on the board of directors of the Crescenta-Cañada YMCA, and for nearly 10 years he’s been a part of the YMCA’s community support campaign.
The campaign raises money to provide financial support for the YMCA’s scholarship fund for low-income families.
For Waldheim, chairman of the community support campaign, asking people to give is easy.
“Once you give your own gift and you firmly believe in the cause, it’s easy to ask other people for money,” Waldheim said.
The goal of the community support campaign is to raise about $430,000 for 2008, Waldheim said.
Waldheim’s outreach effort also extends to a national cause that is near to his heart.
He wears his leadership hat when it comes to planning for the Foothills Relay for Life, the annual fundraiser that raises money for cancer research.
“Chris subtly mentors people, and he is the most energetic person I have worked with on Relay,” said Loretta Savery, chairwoman for the 2008 Foothills Relay for Life. “That says a lot because people are very dedicated to Relay for Life.”
Waldheim, who lost his grandfather to colon cancer, is an advocate for finding a cure.
“It’s been more of trying to do what’s right for society, trying to find a cure,” he said. “There are multiple solutions.”
Every year since 2001, Waldheim has organized a team that he’s mentored and prepared for the event, which takes place at Clark Magnet High School.
“It’s an event like no other,” he said. “It’s just the feeling of giving back and contributing to a greater good.”
