Philanthropy Day recognizes nonprofit efforts in San Benito
County
More than 70 nonprofits participated in the ninth annual
Philanthropy Day at San Juan Oaks Nov. 13.
The annual event, hosted on National Philanthropy Day, offers a
chance for local nonprofits to select an honoree who has done
outstanding work during the year, and sometimes over a lifetime.
This year more than 65 people or organizations were honored for
their good deeds.
Philanthropy Day recognizes nonprofit efforts in San Benito County
More than 70 nonprofits participated in the ninth annual Philanthropy Day at San Juan Oaks Nov. 13.
The annual event, hosted on National Philanthropy Day, offers a chance for local nonprofits to select an honoree who has done outstanding work during the year, and sometimes over a lifetime. This year more than 65 people or organizations were honored for their good deeds.
Gary Byrne, the executive director of the Community Foundation for San Benito County, started off the ceremony as lunch was ending at noon.
“We have more members of the community [present] than ever before,” Byrne said. “And more nonprofits present.”
Byrne joked that some who had planned to be at the event stayed home sick with the flu.
In addition to local nonprofits, Byrne said representatives from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation as well as the United Way of Silicon Valley, two major benefactors, were also present at the event. Byrne used the gathering as an opportunity to remind nonprofits that letters of intent for funding in the next fiscal cycle are due Dec. 30.
The event committee co-chairs Mindy Sotelo, of the Farm Bureau, and Jessica French, of the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce, spoke briefly.
“We are honoring 68 nonprofits and volunteers,” Sotelo said. “They are a vital part [of the community.] We want not only to honor the philanthropists, but thank everyone.”
Mary Damm and Millard Strohn read off the names of the honorees and a description of their work, while Sheriff Curtis Hill and Hollister Police Chief Jeff Miller weaved around the room, handing out the certificates.
“It is a pleasure to see and talk about every honoree,” said Damm, who is the president of Leadership San Benito and has long been a supporter of the local Boy Scouts. “I am always aware we have so many people doing so much. It’s amazing to add up all the hours of volunteers.
“We have all these people in San Benito County who step up day after day.”
Some of the honorees were selected for donating money, donating time or on one occasion for donating the use of a facility. San Benito High School was selected as the honoree of the year by the American Cancer Society for allowing the use of the Andy Hardin Football stadium for the annual Relay For Life fundraiser.
“SBHS has donated the football stadium for 11 straight years,” Strohn said, as he read the description provided. “[Relay] has raised more than $1 million that has touched the lives of countless patients and caregivers.”
The Rajkovich family also was recognized early in the afternoon. Martin Rajkovich passed away in June 2007, but left money to the Community Foundation to support San Benito High School. The monetary gift will support student scholarships as well as $900,000 for a new agriculture farm for the high school. The barn is currently under construction. George and Lucille Rajkovich and Marie and Greg Hoffman accepted the certificate.
Francisco “Kico” Sanchez was selected by the Top Hatters Motorcycle Club because he was “a charter member and played a key role in keeping the club focused on funding the high school scholarship.” Sanchez was recognized for his work planning such events as the Relay For Life participation, the Jovenes de Antano turkey giveaway and the Fourth of July blessing of the bikes and poker runs.
The YMCA of San Benito County selected George Barton as an honoree because he has “donated his time and talent through the karate program. He is dedicated to kids and families.” Barton has taught 50 students through the program.
Pinnacles Partnership honored John Mark Maio, who is working on a video documentary of the condor recovery project. He has been documenting “the historic event of a wild-hatched condor chick. He is now completing three years of work chronicling the condor project.”
The Pinnacle Quilters of San Benito County honored Sheila Galindo, who has played a key role in the bears in a blanket drive. The program provides quilts and stuffed teddy bears to the Hollister Police Department so that it can give something comforting to children involved in a traumatic situation. Galindo is also actively involved in making quilts and “enlightens everyone she meets.”
Jack Kent may have been the honoree with the longest association with the nonprofit to honor him. Kent was selected by the Boy Scouts of America San Benito District, and first got involved with the Scouts when he was age 11. He signed on as a cub master when his own son was in Scouts, and attended many camping trips. Since 1992, he has taught wood carving to local boys and he has served on the district committee.
“He is always the one to ask, ‘Is this the best thing for the Scouts?'”
The Friends of the San Benito County Free Library selected Ann Fudge for recognition. Fudge is in charge of preparing and sorting books for the Saturday book sales “in rain or heat waves.” She also delivers books to people in nursing homes.
Fishes and Loaves honored Alma Terribilini Sota, who has volunteered with the nonprofit food pantry for 24 years.
“She is a reliable, dependable and efficient worker,” according to the description. read by the MCs. “And she dragged in her husband, too.”
Grant proposals wanted
The Community Foundation for San Benito County is accepting letters of intent from local organizations and nonprofits for grant proposals. All proposals must support projects in one of six fields of interest: Arts and Culture, Agriculture and Environment, Education and Youth, Health and Social Services, Community Enhancement and Economic Development. The Foundation expects to fund nearly $450,000 in projects.
Applications, guidelines, forms and more details regarding the competitive review process can be accessed at www.cffsbc.org. All letters of intent must be received at the Community Foundation office no later than 4 p.m. Dec. 30. For more information, call 630-1924.
Honorees and nonprofits present
American Cancer Society
San Benito High School
American Red Cross of San Benito County
Debbie and Neal Schatmeier
Aromas Eagles Aerie No. 72
Wayne Holman
Baler Education Foundation
Emily Crawford
Boy Scouts of American San Benito District
Jack Kent
CASA of San Benito County
Nancy Aimola
Chamberlain’s Children Center
Ted David
City of San Juan Bautista
Georgana Gularte
CMAP TV
Bonnie and Al Stroeberl
Central Coast Visiting Nurses Assoc. and Hospice
California Consumer Protection Foundation
Community Assistance Network
Kendra Bobsin
Community Foundation of SBC
Anne Morris
CSDC
Esperanza Walters
E-Cubed Foundation
Tami Biechman
Economic Development Corp. of San Benito County
George Lewis
Emmaus House
Mary Lou Coffelt
Fishes and Loaves
Alma Terribilini Sota
Friends of the San Benito County Free Library
Ann Fudge
Girl Scouts of California Central Coast
Emily Millar
Habitat for Humanity San Benito County
Jim Fehl
Hazel Hawkins Hospital Foundation
Lanetta Bishop
Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hopsital
Aileen Bauder
Hollister Airmen’s Association
Ed Owens
Hollister Angels Youth Ministry
Joe Garcia
Hollister Downtown Association
Jason Guerra
Hollister Elks Lodge No. 1436
Ismael Hernandez
Hollister Exchange Club
David Ortiz
Hollister Lions Club
Carole Churchill
Hollister Sister City Association
Japanese American Citizen’s League
Hollister Youth Alliance
Kathy Johnson
Homeless Coalition of San Benito County
Kathy Hough
Hope for a Cure
Mary Andrade
Jacob’s Heart
Melissa McDill
Janet Graham Memorial Fund
Lori Woodle
Jovenes de Antano
Edward Ballesteros
Junior Acheivement of SV and MB
Beverly Meamber
Kinship Center, Gabilan Chapter
Suzie Crump
Leadership San Benito County
Kathy Johnson
Pinnacles Partnership
John Mark Maio
Pinnacle Quilters of San Benito County
Sheila Galindo
Rotary Club of Hollister
Pete Gong
Rotary Club of San Juan Bautista
Larry Cain
Sacred Heart Parish School
Kathy O’Donnell
Saint Francis Retreat Center
Carla Hendershot
San Benito Babe Ruth
Todd Marentis
San Benito County Arts Council
Kathleen Sheridan
San Benito County Chamber of Commerce
Toni Rovella
San Benito County Farm Bureau
Candi Jenkins
San Benito County Free Library
Leroy Hachinsi
San Benito County Heritage Foundation
Jackie McAbee
San Benito County Historical Society
Aurelia Bozzo
San Benito County LULAC No. 2890
Rudy Rodriguez
San Benito Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies
Maria Fehl
San Benito High School District
George and Lucille Rajkovich
Marie and Greg Hoffman
The San Benito Local Child Care Council
Kay Gibson
San Benito Oriana Chorale
Doug Eppard
San Juan Bautista Foundation
Richard Morris
Joe Morris
San Juan Bautista Library Auxiliary
Jeanette Horley
Top Hatters Motorcycle Club
Francisco “Kico” Sanchez
Women’s Club of Hollister
Betty Jeanne Holt
YMCA of San Benito County
George Barton
Other nonprofits present:
Advocacy, Inc.
Aromas Hills Artisans
Community Food Bank
First 5 San Benito
David & Lucile Packard Foundation
Pet Friends
San Benito County Fire Safe Council
San Benito Health Foundation
The Leslie L. Garrett VFW No. 6359
United Way of Silicon Valley
