By Mary O’KEEFE

Every year JohnHart Real Estate supports some type of charity event as a way to give back to those the company serves. This year the company’s philanthropic effort will reach further into the community, said Robbyn Battles, real estate agent with JohnHart. This year’s event is the JohnHart Walk for a Cause that will be held on Oct. 19 in Glendale.

The company has offices from Palm Springs to La Cañada and, in the past, all offices raised funds for one charity. Though it was wonderful for that one charity, it was decided this year that fundraising would be shared among 13 local organizations suggested by local agents.

“So [the non-profits] are from all areas that JohnHart represents,” Battles said.

A local resident, Battles chose two charities to support: Prom Plus and Saddles for Soldiers in Shadow Hills.

Battles, who is the former president of Crescenta Valley Town Council and is involved in several organizations and events throughout the foothill area, knows how difficult it is for smaller non-profits to raise money. She attended a Prom Plus informational meeting on Monday.

“Of course I know Prom Plus takes care of kids in the community, but what I didn’t realize was all the things [Prom Plus] does to help enrich and protect kids,” Battles said.

For 25 years, Prom Plus has given Crescenta Valley High School seniors and their guests a safe place to go after prom, providing games like a climbing wall, zip line, full casino, laser tag and mechanical bull among others. The event runs from midnight to 5 a.m. and is held at the YMCA of the Foothills in La Cañada. Over 10 years ago Prom Plus expanded, forming a youth club at CVHS – the Prom Plus Club – that has become a volunteer force in the community. This year Prom Plus Club will reach out to help kids get ready for life after high school whether plans include attending college, a trade school or heading straight into the work force.

Each year Prom Plus needs to raise about $25,000 to put on the event and award Prom Plus scholarships.

The other charity Battles has chosen to support is Saddles for Soldiers out of Shadow Hills.

“Saddles for Soldiers is a program designed specifically by the Shadow Hills Riding Club to assist United States veterans and their families in coping with the traumas and stressors after returning from combat. [These include coping with] long term depression, reestablishing life skills and readjusting to civilian life through the use of horses,” according to the organization’s website.

The program includes support from mental health practitioners.

The organizations mission statement states: “Shadow Hills Riding Club’s mission is to implement an expansive therapeutic equine program using horses to facilitate healing, learning and growth.”

Saddles for Soldiers has a special place in Battles’ heart since her family recently donated their horse to the organization.

“[Battles’ horse] Rosie is in training to be a [support] horse,” she added.

Battles is reaching out to the community for help in her fundraising effort for Walk for a Cause. There are a few ways people can support: Join the team and walk with Battles to raise funds, or donate directly to Team Robbyn https://tinyurl.com/y3ly46ld. She is also asking for help to spread the word to others from using social media to just talking to friends. JohnHart is asking for those who support Walk for a Cause to write 10 on their right hand and 19 on their left hand, and to take a photo to share on social media, reminding people of the Oct. 19 event.

The location for Walk for a Cause has been tentatively set for Brand and Glenoaks avenues in Glendale. Event organizers are waiting for City permits to be approved; for updates visit the Walk for a Cause website and check back with CVW in next week’s edition, or on the JohnHart Facebook page. 

For information on Prom Plus, visit www.promplus.org. For Saddles for Soldiers, visit saddlesforsoldiers.org.

  Mary Okeefe