Palisades-News-July-8-2015

July 8, 2015 Palisades News Page 17Realtor Edlen Donates $8,000 to PEPBy SUE PASCOEEditorChristine Miller, co-chair of the PalisadesElementary School booster club, was surprisedand elated when she received an $8,000 checkfrom Coldwell Banker realtor Michael Edlen.Since 2007, whenever Edlen has represented a buyeror seller, he told them he would donate 10 percent ofhis net commission to a charity of their choice. It couldbe a local nonprofit or even a public school.In this case, Edlen’s clients Roland and Susan Venturini,who sold their home on Chautauqua, chose the PalisadesEnrichment Program (PEP) as their recipient.“We are overjoyed when all the layers of ourcommunity work together to ensure the goals we valuemost are realized, that each child receive the coreacademics,” Miller said. “Michael is a valued Pali Partnerand we are grateful for his support and generosity.”Susan Venturini added, “It was a pleasure to workwith the Edlen team throughout the entire process ofselling our home. Roland and I are truly grateful forMichael’s generous donation to Pali Elementary.”After graduating from UCLA with a bachelor’s degreein psychology and a master’s degree in businessadministration, Edlen went into his family’s Westsidebusiness, which supplied curtains and drapes to mobilehomes. He moved to the Palisades with wife Wendy in1971. Even during that time, he said, “We’ve always beenstrong believers in giving back to the community.”Edlen retired at an early age and then took on consultingprojects. “But I was working at home and I wanted toMichael Edlen is thanked by Susan Venturini (left), andChristine Miller for his donation to PEP.get back with people,” so he became a realtor in 1986.His son, Daniel, attended Marquez, Paul Revere andPalisades High School. “I started giving back to theschools,” Edlen said, noting that when PaliHi needed anew phone system, he bought it. “We helped at eachpoint in his journey. When schools set up computerlabs, we always contributed.”Daniel is now married with two children, lives inArizona and is an artist known for vinyl art (Visit:vinylart.com). “He takes a vinyl record and paints theartist’s face or band’s image on it in white acrylic. It’sthen framed over the record cover,” said Edlen, whoreceived a gift from his son of one of his favoriteartists, Louis Armstrong. “They’re really great gifts.”When the City went through an economic crisis andhad to stop cleaning many streets and sidewalks, Edlenstepped in to help the Chamber of Commerce hireChrysalis to take on the task in the Palisades businessdistrict. He first contributed in 2003 and has continuedto make a large annual donation.He has also been a supporter of the Woman’s Clubannual Home Tour. “I am a great fan of the Woman’sClub. Every year they take their Home Tour proceedsand provide grants to various nonprofit groups in town,”said Edlen, who has also donated to neighborhoodbeautification efforts.Factoring community and client charity donations, Edlenhas given back more than $200,000 to the community.“I would encourage more people to give back,” hesaid. “I’d love it if every [real estate] agent in Palisadeswould do that.“I’d also love it if my clients would remember that Idonate to a charity of their choice. People are always buyingand selling in town, why not take advantage of this?”Edlen’s offer doesn’t cost a client anything; it comesout of the realtor’s pocket. “If enough people takeadvantage of this, and it catches on, then maybe morepeople will do it.”StorewideSALE!Gift Garden15266 Antioch, Pacific Palisades(310) 459-4114gift.garden.antiques@verizon.net