Venice Family Clinic Hosted Children’s Holiday Movie For Its Young Patients

Originally published in Santa Monica Daily Press – December 13, 2019

The holiday gift-giving season came early for some 1,200 children who are patients of Venice Family Clinic when the nonprofit community health center hosted its annual Children’s Holiday Movie Dec. 7 at Cinemark’s Century 18 and XD Theatre at HHLA (formerly The Promenade at Howard Hughes Center).

The annual event raised funds for the community clinic’s programs for children, which provide educational, preventive and health care services through the clinic’s pediatric medicine programs and its Children First Early Head Start program. Patients and their families enjoyed treats, received gifts from Santa Claus and saw free showings of the movie, “Dora and the Lost City of Gold.”

“Venice Family Clinic’s pediatric programs provide comprehensive care to children living in poverty, starting with their mothers’ pregnancies and continuing through their teen and into their adult years,” said Elizabeth Benson Forer, Venice Family Clinic CEO. “Children’s Holiday Movie offers our youngest patients and their families a festive holiday party and confirms the Clinic’s commitment to strengthening families to improve their overall health and well-being.”

Children’s Holiday Movie was made possible this year thanks to many generous supporters and sponsors. As a longtime partner, the Cinemark Century 18 and XD Theatre donated multiple auditoriums, staffing and concession treats for the children and their families. Anthem Blue Cross also celebrated its sixth year as the event’s presenting sponsor.

“Anthem Blue Cross is dedicated to improving lives and communities and making healthcare simpler,” said Dr. Barsam Kasravi, Chief Medical Officer for Anthem Blue Cross Medi-Cal Health Plan. “We are proud to support Venice Family Clinic’s pediatric programs and the more than 7,300 children they serve by sponsoring this wonderful holiday tradition for children and their families.”

For the media, photos of the event are available to download for use in publications, broadcasts and online outlets. Please view and download photos from a Google drive by clicking here.

Submitted by Laura Mecoy