FERNANDO AWARD PRESENTED TO LEYNER.Byline: Lisa M. Sodders Staff Writer WOODLAND HILLS - J. Richard Leyner was named the winner of the 2005 Fernando Award on Friday in recognition for his many years of volunteer service in the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. . ``It's quite a high,'' the visibly moved Leyner, 68, of Northridge said. ``It's the culmination of a lifetime's work.'' In addition to Leyner, the four finalists - Jill Banks Barad, Dorothea Heitz, Dorothy Jean Jauck and Ed Rose - were honored at a gala awards dinner and reception that drew more than 350 people to the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills. Leyner has been a volunteer leader of the Child Development Institute, served on the advisory board of the San Fernando Valley Research Center and the Encino Chamber of Commerce, and co-founded The Executives. A former member of the New York Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) World's largest marketplace for securities. The exchange began as an informal meeting of 24 men in 1792 on what is now Wall Street in New York City. , he has served as an adviser to the California State University, Northridge CSUN offers a variety of programs leading to bachelor's degrees in 61 fields and master's degrees in 42 fields. The university has over 150,000 alumni. It's also home to a summer musical theater/theater program known as TADW (TeenAge Drama Workshop) that leads teenagers through an , Marketing Department. Leyner also has volunteered with the Juvenile Diabetes juvenile diabetes n. Insulin-dependent diabetes. Foundation, the Muscular Dystrophy Association The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is an organization founded in 1950 which combats muscular dystrophy and diseases of the nervous system and muscular system in general by funding research, providing medical and community services, and educating health professionals and AIDS Project Los Angeles AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by HIV disease, reducing the incidence of HIV infection, and advocating for fair and effective HIV-related public policy. . ``The Fernando Awards are a very significant opportunity to recognize volunteerism and commitment to service in the San Fernando Valley,'' said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Antonio Ramon Villaraigosa (born Antonio (Tony) Ramon Villar, Jr. on January 23, 1953) is the mayor of Los Angeles, California. He is the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles since Cristobal Aguilar in 1872. , one of many dignitaries who attended the event. ``The San Fernando Valley isn't just a place or a destination; it's a community. And when people care enough to volunteer and give back, that's how you create community.'' In addition to Villaraigosa, other officials present included U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman and California Sen. Richard Alarcon, Assemblywoman Cindy Montaez, Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, Los Angeles City Council  The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles, California, United States. President Alex Padilla, City Councilwoman Wendy Greuel, Councilmen
Dennis Zine and Greig Smith, Los Angeles County Supervisors Zev
Yaroslavsky and Michael Antonovich, Calabasas Mayor Barry Groveman and
Los Angeles Unified School District The Los Angeles Unified School District (the "LAUSD") is the largest (in terms of number of students) public school system in California and the second-largest in the United States. Only the New York City Department of Education has a larger student population. Board of Education members Julie
Korenstein and Jon Lauritzen.
``These are the Valley leaders and activists,'' Montaez, said. ``They have dedicated their hearts and their passion to the Valley.'' Leyner will be honored again Feb. 24, 2006, at a special recognition dinner at the Warner Center Marriott. The Fernando Award is the highest honor for volunteerism in the San Fernando Valley, and is usually given to someone who has spent decades giving back to the community, often through numerous service organizations. The award has been given annually since 1959. ``More gets done in the Valley because of these committed individuals,'' said Gloria Pollack, president of the Fernando Award Foundation Inc. ``These people make a difference.'' Karl Boeckmann, vice president of Galpin Ford in Van Nuys, was the 2004 award winner. Lisa M. Sodders, (818) 713-3663 lisa.sodders(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: J. Richard Leyner, shown at the Warner Center Marriott, has been a volunteer leader of the Child Development Institute, as well as serving the community in other charitable ventures. Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Special to the Daily News |
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