Anyone at San Juan Oaks Golf Club last Friday afternoon knows
San Benito County has a generous heart.
Over 100 local residents supporting more than 40 nonprofit
organizations in San Benito County showed their gratitude to
volunteers during the fourth annual Philanthropy Day Awards
Luncheon last week. Each of the numerous nonprofit organizations
chose their volunteer of the year for the event and the individuals
were honored by the Community Foundation for San Benito County.
Hollister – Anyone at San Juan Oaks Golf Club last Friday afternoon knows San Benito County has a generous heart.

Over 100 local residents supporting more than 40 nonprofit organizations in San Benito County showed their gratitude to volunteers during the fourth annual Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon last week. Each of the numerous nonprofit organizations chose their volunteer of the year for the event and the individuals were honored by the Community Foundation for San Benito County.

“Volunteers are the backbone of the community,” said Joan Perricone, chairwoman of the National Philanthropy Day Committee. “We don’t have much money in this county and if we didn’t have these volunteers, we don’t know what we would do.”

Philanthropy Day, an event celebrated nationwide on Monday, was also recognized by a proclamation from the San Benito County Board of Supervisors during the luncheon. Each honoree received a certificate of gratitude as a representative from each organization detailed their contributions to the community.

Executive director of the Community Foundation for San Benito County Gary Byrne said the annual luncheon provides the opportunity for the numerous nonprofit groups operating in the county to thank the many volunteers who help keep their operations running during the year.

“This is not about who is better but about honoring the countless hours that go into these organizations, whether it’s working with children or the elderly,” he said.

The following were acknowledged during the event:

Larry Riley, Adult

Literacy Program of SBC

Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, American

Cancer Society SBC

Neal Schatmeier,

American Red Cross

SBC Chapter

Kellie Guerra, Community Assistance Network

Richard Guzman,

Community Assistance Program

Velma Tiffany,

Community Foundation for SBC

Lolly De Morales,

Community Pantry

Jose Alvarez, Community Services Dev. Corp.

Don McDonald,

Fishes and Loaves

Joyce Young,

SBC Free Library

Marilyn Ferraro, Girls Scouts of Monterey Bay

Barbara Nicoara,

Hazel Hawkins Hospital Foundation

Larry and Marilyn McDonald,

Hollister Airmen’s Assoc.

Geri Johnson, Hollister Downtown Assoc.

Robert “Mac” and

Sandy Mota,

Hollister Exchange Club

Linda Durie and

Pat Akins,

Hollister Independence Rally Committee

Stephanie Beltran and Tina Cassidy,

Hollister Rainbow

Children’s Theater

San Benito High School Interact Club, Hollister Rotary

Ray Thorpe, Hollister School District

Sonia Rodelo, Carlos Muñoz, and Jo Wahdan, Hollister Youth Alliance

Terry Mayes,

Janet Graham Memorial Fund Safe Kids Coalition

Carmen Navarro,

Jovenes de Antaño

Randy Wolf, Rebecca Medeiros Wolf,

Kinship Center

Jim Hart,

Kiwanis Club of Hollister

David Wright, Private Industry Council Inc.

Irene Agredano, SBC Chamber of Commerce

Janet Brians,

SBC Historical Society

Mike Sanchez, SBC LULAC Council

Debbie Ruiz, San Benito Health Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition

Hamdy Abbass,

San Benito

High School District

Laurie Venturini,

San Benito Oriana Chorale

Ray and Peggy Pierce, San Benito Stage Company

Jim and Gayle Sleznick, San Juan Bautista

Chamber of Commerce

Kim DuPont, San Juan Rotary

Betty Perreira, St. Vincent de Paul Society

Mary Damm, United Way of SBC

Dori Hoyle, VNA and Hospice

Barbara Sabbatini, YMCA of SBC

Kaz Kurasaki, Hollister Sister City Association

Source: Community Foundation for San Benito County

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A staff member wrote, edited or posted this article, which may include information provided by one or more third parties.

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