In the spirit of the holiday season, we wanted to take some time to recognize people and organizations that have helped to brighten the lives of others in the community. As we enter another new year, the following deserve a thumbs up for contributions to San Benito County and its people.
THUMBS UP
Holte Holiday Dinners: Headed by Larry Brown, the Holte Holiday Dinners organization once again served hundreds of local residents in need at the annual Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners held at the Sacred Heart gym. While a dedicated board of leaders organizes the free events featuring the two feasts for anyone who shows up, the effort also requires help from the scores of volunteers who give up time on the holidays to give back. All of the volunteers embody the spirit of the holidays and what it means to put others first.
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People, businesses of the year: Every year around this time, the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau chooses its man, woman and businesses of the year. The organization made another round of commendable choices this year, as announced last week. The winners will be honored at the chamber’s annual dinner dance Jan. 21 at San Juan Oaks Golf Club. We encourage residents to attend the event to have a great time and honor the following winners: Lanetta Elliott Bishop as woman of the year; Charles Scott as man of the year; and businesses that include Drapoel/teezers, Brent Redmond Transportation, San Juan Oaks, Community Foundation for San Benito County and B&R Farms; along with ambassador Nasa Jimenez.
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Plenty more dedicated residents were honored last month during the Community Foundation for San Benito County’s annual Philanthropy Day event, also held at San Juan Oaks. More than 300 people gathered at the event to honor 47 nonprofits’ choices for philanthropists of the year. We congratulate all of the winners, whose selfless contributions reflect the type of leadership and volunteerism that are necessary to get this community back on its feet. Check out a list of the winners at SanBenitoCountyToday.com, and remember to congratulate this year’s philanthropists of the year.
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Downtown Hollister once again brightened up the spirits of local residents, and that is because the Hollister Downtown Association did another great job with the street decorations that acted as the backdrop for another successful Lights On Celebration, which took place the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The family-focused event drew a record crowd in 2011 and personified a community that comes together every year to celebrate the season.
