In memory of their father, Tom Veloz, a local philanthropist and business leader — whose generous giving continues to shape the progress of Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital — sons Peter and David Veloz gathered on the front lawn of the valley’s non-profit community hospital to place a star atop the holiday tree. Tom Veloz served as honorary chair of the “Campaign for the Next Generation of Care,” for which he contributed $1 million to benefit the expansion of the Henry Mayo Emergency Department.
Tom Veloz also played an integral role in the development of the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Imaging Center with a $500,000 donation — in honor of his late wife, Sheila, who died from breast cancer — which started a meaningful fund-raising campaign that created the center dedicated to breast imaging.
Later that week on December 3, hundreds of community members gathered around the holiday tree and watched with delight as Santa released pixie dust into the air and white lights illuminated hundreds of colorful ornaments nestled on the tree. The Tree Lighting Ceremony provided community members a special opportunity to participate in the “Gift of Life Program,” in which donors help decorate the tree with symbolic contributions from $15 to $1,000 toward multi-colored ornaments in honor or in memory of friends or loved ones.
1: Peter and David Veloz, sons of the late Tom Veloz prepare to place a star atop Henry Mayo’s community Christmas tree.
2: Peter Veloz places a star atop Henry Mayo’s Holiday tree in memory of his father Tom Veloz.
3: Members of the Hart High School Sweet Harts choir perform at the tree lighting ceremonies.
4: Firefighters from Los Angeles County Fire Station 126, were called rescue the star on December 16. Left to right: Firefighter Louie Cervantes, Captain Marshall Oldhan and Firefighter Chris Lanc.