About 700 people (including OPI employees and their children) were present yesterday as George Schaeffer, surrounded by new Dell desktops, announced the company’s computer and scholarship winners.

OPI created a festive atmosphere for the occasion, with popcorn, pretzel, and lemonade carts on site.

George Schaeffer and Los Angeles city controller Wendy Greuel unveil the dedication plaque as the company celebrates a new traffic light at Saticoy and Ethel streets.

Yesterday was a momentous day at OPI’s headquarters in North Hollywood, Calif., as the company gave back to its employee’s children, its employees, and its Southern California neighborhood. The company celebrated its fifth computer and scholarship giveaway event, in which it awarded 101 new Dell computer systems and 18 scholarships to children of OPI employees, plus had a special ceremony to dedicate a new traffic light.

A computer was given to every OPI employee child who wrote an essay requesting a computer to help them pursue their education. “I read every one of those essays…and this is one of the most rewarding parts of my job,” said OPI president and CEO George Schaeffer. “It is an honor to give away these computers.”

Los Angeles city controller Wendy Greuel also attended the celebration. She said, “I wanted to congratulate all of you and your children. Use your computers well and study hard.” Also present to congratulate the winners were Dell spokesperson Rebecca Barkin, OPI board member Miriam Schaeffer, Nicole Schaeffer, and former OPI scholarship winner and rising college sophomore Gabriela Leon, who advised this year’s winners to practice “self-management, reading, paying attention, and participating in high school activities.”

That same day, Schaeffer and Greuel participated in a ceremony to dedicate a new traffic light at the intersection of Saticoy and Ethel Streets. “We were having two to three accidents a month. The light has been working for a year with zero accidents.” Greuel added: “George cares not only about his company but about his people within the company.”

They unveiled a plaque, which states, “This traffic light was initiated & financed by OPI Products Inc. Dedicated to our community. Keeping it safe and moving for everyone.”

—Sree