Concern Foundation - The Freedmans

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The Freedmans

MEET THE FREEDMANS

CONCERN FOUNDATION'S 2006 BLOCK PARTY HONOREES

In keeping with the ever changing face of Concern Foundation, which today has become a multigenerational organization of members, volunteers and leaders, we are proud to announce that the honorees for the 32nd Annual 2006 Block Party will be Jim and Lauren Freedman and their three children, Rachel, 22, Jon, 15 and Marisa ("Mo-Bear"), 11. We honor them for their family commitment to a multitude of charitable endeavors and especially their long standing commitment to Concern Foundation and our quest to conquer cancer.

Jim and Lauren were introduced to Concern by Rick and Debbie Powell and have been generous organization sponsors ever since. Their children have participated in many past Block Parties, the Annual Holiday party, Concern Foundation's Day for the Kids at Universal Studios and by selling the Concern wristbands to their friends. The family commitment to Concern and to "cure" cancer comes from their personal experience of losing Jim's mother to cancer in 1988. "Once we are touched by cancer, either personally or through a loved one, we are forever changed," said Lauren. This sentiment was echoed by Rachel, Jon and Marisa during one of the regular weekly meetings where the Freedman family sits down with staff members of Concern to help plan this year's Block Party. "Concern is a family and being at the Block Party each year is a way to bring families closer together with a common goal to conquer this horrible disease. While Lauren and I are flattered to be asked to be your honorees, we would like Concern to consider honoring our children as well and continue to make the Annual Block Party about family," stated Jim. It was an immediate and resounding "what a great idea!" which then led the conversation into the theme, The Great Outdoors, as suggested by the children. The Freedman's love of being together as a family enjoying nature, boating, hiking in Yosemite, swimming and scuba diving was a natural for the theme of the event, and thus was born, Concern Foundation's Great Outdoors Adventure, The Expedition to Conquer Cancer.

Jim was born and raised in Connecticut. He received his undergraduate degree at Cornell University before moving to Los Angeles to obtain his M.B.A in Finance at the UCLA Anderson School. Since 1982, Jim has been the founder, CEO and Chairman of Barrington Associates, a very successful middle market investment banking firm. Lauren is a native of Beaumont, Texas. In 1976, she moved to Los Angeles to attend the California School of Professional Psychology where she obtained her Ph.D. in Psychology. She practiced until 1991. Jim and Lauren were married in 1989. Rachel is a senior at Boston University, Jon is a ninth grader at Windward, and Marisa is a fifth grader at Curtis School. The extent of the Freedmans' philanthropic spirit is impressive as they give of both their money and time by serving on the board of a number of worthy organizations in the community such as UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center, Cedars- Sinai Medical Center and The Yosemite Fund and Ronald McDonald House, just to name a few.