Gavilan College has announced this year’s San Benito County winners for the 2012-13 Community Spirit Awards.
The Gavilan College Board of Trustees will present the awards to resident Joan Sattler, the Friends of the San Benito County Free Library, and Off the Chain Bikes.
According to Gavilan College, the awards are presented annually to individuals, organizations and businesses that “contribute in a strong, positive way” to communities in the college district.
The local winners will be honored at the Hollister Downtown Association’s quarterly breakfast taking place at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 23 at the Pendergrass Restaurant.
The following are biographies provided by Gavilan:
Joan Sattler, San Benito County Individual: Joan is recognized for over 30 years of donating her time, talents and skills to multiple individuals and organizations in San Benito County. She has donated her skills with computers, photography and film, layout, exhibits, posters, and creating displays to benefit the community. She is particularly involved with the San Benito County Free Library. She has contributed to community events such as the Women’s History tea, Memorial Day commemoration and Spring Concert, and Older Americans Month with Jovenes de Antano. She recently worked to help people and organizations in San Benito County find and recover their property. The community is much richer for her involvement.
Friends of the San Benito County Library, San Benito County Organization: The volunteers who make up the Friends of the San Benito County Free Library provide much-needed support. They have been in existence for 32 years. They host events and write grants to raise money for the library. Contributing thousands of hours per year. In this time of budget cuts, with local school libraries not operating, the Friends of the San Benito County Free Library are more important than ever.
Off the Chain Bicycles, San Benito County Business: “Off the Chain” sells and is involved with everything to do with bikes. They organize free bike rides to promote health. The owner is on the committee working on a Bike Path that will connect San Juan Bautista and Hollister. They offer free bike repair classes, and often donate money or in-kind services to elementary schools. San Benito County promotes a free helmet giveaway with “Off the Chain” serving as the distribution location for the helmets. Needy children get a voucher from the county and then go to Off the Chain for a free helmet and proper fitting of the helmet.
The awards were created in 1999 through Board Resolution 739, in order to promote and recognize service to the communities Gavilan College serves. A representative committee of the campus community reviews nominations and selects the award winners. Anyone may nominate an individual, organization, or business in the community for an award. All members of the community are invited to submit nominations for individuals, businesses, and organizations deserving of recognition. A nominee who is not selected may be renominated for the next year. For nomination forms and more information, go to www.gavilan.edu/pio or call (408) 848-4724.
