They say that a good organization is made with good people. This
week, both will be recognized at the annual Community Spirit Awards
for San Benito County at Gavilan Community College.
Hollister – They say that a good organization is made with good people. This week, both will be recognized at the annual Community Spirit Awards for San Benito County at Gavilan Community College.
The awards pick an individual, a business and a nonprofit from the county who they believe have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make San Benito County a better place to live.
Long-time community activist, Marley Holte, is one of the honorees. The San Juan Bautista resident has been serving free Christmas dinners in Hollister for 20 years and is currently organizing an effort to open a winter shelter in the county. He is also the father of an annual Thanksgiving dinner for the needy, serving 300 to 500 people each year.
The UPS Store in Hollister is another winner. Since opening in May of 2003, the store at 201 McCray St., has offered to give any business joining the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce $175 in free business services. They have also began collecting used fax and inkjet printer cartridges and old cell phones which they recycle, donating all proceeds to the Relay for Life, an organization that raises money for the American Cancer Society.
“UPS is a great example of a business that has shown commitment even where they can’t give large monetary contributions,” said Jan Bernstein Chargin, spokeswoman for Gavilan Community College.
The Adult Literacy Program, which could not do its work without an army of over 200 volunteers, is the third winner of the award. It provides adults with one-on-one tutoring for free and uses individual goals to set the pace of the program. Since starting in 2000, over 150 county residents have participated in Adult Literacy.
About 15 people were nominated by the local community and selected by a committee. Length of service, impact on community and significance of contribution are some of the factors that are considered when picking a winner. Community Spirit Awards also picks winners for Morgan Hill and Gilroy.
“We tend to focus on the negatives of our communities, but this is a chance to bring name recognition to people who are doing good things,” said Bernstein Chargin.
The awards will be presented at the Gavilan College Holiday Mixer, which is free and open to the public.
Karina Ioffee covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at (831)637-5566 ext. 335 or [email protected]
