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In the Community

RBZ is dedicated to giving back to the greater Los Angeles community which has given so much to the firm and its professionals. We do a lot of work both as a firm and on an individual basis.

As a Firm

Habitat for Humanity

Every year, RBZ supports Habitat for Humanity by donating time and effort into building a house for deserving family. Led by partner Gary Garbowitz, a group of RBZers prime, add drywall, dig ditches, apply siding and help with anything else that needs to get done.

For information about how you can donate your time to this worth cause, visit the Habitat for Humanity website at www.habitat.org.

Donations

In times of technological change, we often find our equipment needs upgrading so we can continue to be a technological leader in our industry. This often means buying new equipment, and retiring old hardware. Many of the items are still in great working condition, so we hold a Computer Auction on a regular basis and the proceeds are given to various charities sponsored by RBZ. In years past, both Hollygrove and The Foundation for Prader Willi Research have benefited from the thousands of dollars this program has accumulated.

As Individuals

RBZ Partners and employees are tremendously active in the community. You will find us on boards and in the offices donating our time. We have spotlighted just a few of our people and the causes they care about.

Harvey Bookstein

One of the founders of RBZ, LLP and a California State University, Northridge (CSUN) graduate in Accounting, Harvey Bookstein and his wife, Harriet, have contributed a generous gift to CSUN. This gift will be used to fund the Harvey and Harriet Bookstein Endowed Chair in Taxation and the Bookstein Institute for Higher Education in Taxation in the College of Business and Economics at CSUN. The Booksteins’ gift represents their commitment to higher education and vision for CSUN. (www.csun.edu/test/ban_hbookstein.html)

Ally & the Philippine Animal Welfare Society

Ally regularly donates her time to raise funds here in the U.S. for the Philippine Animal Welfare Society in the Philippines (www.paws.org.ph). This organization rescues homeless, abused, or abandoned cats and dogs that would otherwise be eaten or left to die from exposure and disease.

Cathy & The Susan G. Komen and Avon Breast Cancer Walks

After Cathy lost her mother to breast cancer in 2002 (she was only 61), she decided to do something to help in the fight against this disease and to honor her mother’s memory. She began participating in annual breast cancer walks, raising funds for research and medical treatment, and spreading awareness. She has participated in walks for both the Avon and the Susan G. Komen foundations, and through the generosity of her friends, co-workers, relatives, and other committed people, has raised over $20,000. Here are the links to the 2 websites: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Fund,Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

Charlie Osaki, the Scoutmaster

Charlie has been involved in scouting with his son, Trevor, since his son was a Cub Scout at the age of five. Charlie is currently a Scoutmaster for his son’s Boy Scout unit, Troop 295, which is sponsored by the American Legion. Charlie has worked with the youth of his troop on conservation and community service projects, outdoor training and best of all, taking camping trips all over the state of California. This past summer, Charlie went outside of California and took the Boy Scouts on the ultimate camping experience to the islands of Oahu and Hawaii. Pictured above is Charlie and Trevor on the bridge of the battle ship, USS Missouri, at Pearl Harbor, Oahu.