Community Corner

Hometown Hero: M. Fredric's Fred Levine

The savvy entrepreneur is actively involved in cancer fundraising, research and awareness.

Fred Levine is the man behind , one of the most popular names in the  retail clothing business.  With a total of twelve stores in six Southern California locations, Levine has been the purveyor of high-end men, women and children’s apparel and accessories for over 30 years.  And for the past 12 years, M. Fredric has been partnered with the American Cancer Society (ACS), raising funds and awareness for breast cancer.

The decision to create a charitable arm to the business seemed like a logical step for the Agoura Hills entrepreneur and former practicing attorney.  “It came out of an evening when my wife, Lisa, and my sister Mardi [Fox, also a partner], were sitting around saying, ‘Okay, we’re where we want to be in business, but what can we do to help others in the community?’” said Levine.

The partners decided that giving to breast cancer would make the biggest impact on his clientele, comprised mostly of women between the ages of 25 and 50.  “Everyone at some point in their lives has been affected by the disease on some level,” he said.

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Levine is proud to announce that to-date, M. Fredric has raised in excess of $500,000 for ACS.  His staff has been trained to ask patrons if they’d like to make a $1 donation to the cause for every purchase made at the store.  “Our customers have been so generous,” said Levine. “We had an occasions when someone made a $60 purchase and then gave a $100 donation.”  But Levine said that even the $1 donations have gone a long way.

Recently, Levine added Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times to his fundraising campaign.  For every $900 dollars raised, M. Fredric Kids’ customers send a cancer-stricken child to camp, according to Levine.  So far, the drive has raised tens of thousands of dollars, he said.

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Levine has lived in Agoura Hills with Lisa and his two young children for the past 11 years.  He has two older sons, including Adam Levine, member of the famed alternative rock band, Maroon 5.

Levine is also an active volunteer at , where his children attend.  In addition to volunteering hours in the classrooms, he is a member of the PFA's Site Committee, helping the board decide how and where to spend school funds.

“What we are doing now is so meaningful, and I’d like to think that M. Fredric exists to give back,” he said.  “I have learned over the years that it’s not all about what and how much you are bringing in, but what you are leaving behind to the world and your community.”


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