Locals win Spirit Awards from Gavilan College
Staff from Gavilan College honored local resident Cilly Fisher,
the owners of Hollister Supermarket and Hazel Hawkins Hospital with
Community Spirit Awards on Jan. 23.
Locals win Spirit Awards from Gavilan College
Staff from Gavilan College honored local resident Cilly Fisher, the owners of Hollister Supermarket and Hazel Hawkins Hospital with Community Spirit Awards on Jan. 23.
Fisher also won Woman of the Year from the San Benito Chamber of Commerce, and was recognized by Senator Jeff Denham, Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, Congressman Sam Farr, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors and the Hollister City Council, she said.
“There’s one from everybody,” Fisher said, referring to the plaques and certificates. “Somebody told me that I should get a lottery ticket because I seem to be on a roll.”
The purpose of the Community Spirit Award is to bring recognition to residents, businesses and organizations that contribute to the community, said Jan Bernstein Chargin, director of public information for Gavilan College.
Each year, officials from Gavilan recognize one individual, business and organization from San Benito County, Gilroy and Morgan Hill for their efforts, she said.
“We’re always struck by how few of the recipients do what they do because they are looking for the recognition,” she said. “So it’s always nice to give them that recognition anyway.”
Fisher was surprised to get the award, she said.
“I was absolutely shocked, because I pretty much work in the background,” Fisher said.
The San Benito awards were handed out at the Hollister Downtown Association breakfast, Chargin said.
Hollister Supermarket won in the business category and Hazel Hawkins won in the organization category.
Fisher has been contributing her time to community organizations for years, she said.
“Right now I’m currently involved more with the homeless shelter,” she said.
Fisher is on the committee that is organizing Jazz Under the Stars, an annual fund-raiser for the shelter. She also helps set up for meals, cleans and does dishes at the homeless shelter, she said.
Fisher has also volunteered for the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce under three different executive directors. She is the past president of the Ridgemark Homeowners Association, and she helps with the Hollister Downtown Association, she said.
Other award recipients were also acknowledged for their work in the community.
Kent Child, a member of Gavilan College’s board of trustees, presented the award for Hollister Super. Hank So and Jim Gibson own the grocery stores.
Of Gibson, Child said, “He obviously has a deep love for San Benito County. That’s why we felt that he deserved the recognition that he doesn’t seek, to recognize his community support and his generosity.”
“It’s a great honor to basically win any type of award, especially one for community spirit,” said Chang So, a co-owner of the store.
The owners try to help the community whenever they can, So said.
“We pride ourselves on being a neighborhood store,” he said. “We do a lot of giving to church groups, community events, youth and schools.”
The owners have been donating food for community events for years, Child said.
Ken Underwook, president and CEO of Hazel Hawkins, and Beth Ivey, president of the board of trustees, accepted the award for the hospital, said Frankie Arballo, director of marketing and public relations.
“We were thrilled to receive that award for our 100 years of service to the community,” Arballo said.
Elvira Robinson, a volunteer at Hazel Hawkins and a member of the board of trustees for Gavilan College, presented the award to the hospital.
“It’s a wonderful place to be treated,” Robinson said. “You’ve got great staff, excellent doctors, and over a hundred volunteers that assist people in the hospital.”
The award selection committee at Gavilan College is currently accepting nominations for next year’s awards. For nomination forms and more information, go to www.gavilan.edu/pio or call 408-848-4724.
