Top Hatters' Francisco "Kico" Sanchez receives his award from San Benito County Sheriff Curtis Hill last Friday at San Juan Oaks for the ninth annual awards luncheon on National Philanthropy Day.

More than 70 nonprofits participated in the ninth annual
Philanthropy Day at San Juan Oaks on Friday. 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.
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 of 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.

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NONPROFITS’ HONOREES:

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

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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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