Hollister
– Officials from the United Way of San Benito County have
announced that they were able to administer roughly $120,000 in
grants to local nonprofits this year, a record for the local
organization.
Hollister – Officials from the United Way of San Benito County have announced that they were able to administer roughly $120,000 in grants to local nonprofits this year, a record for the local organization.
“We had a very successful Extravaganza this year, and that’s our biggest fundraising event,” United Way Board President Kellie Guerra said. “And we had a lot of individual support as well.”
The United Way awarded grants to 16 local nonprofits championing causes from poverty assistance to gang prevention to health services and education. Around 50 percent of funds administered went to youth and family services providers.
“We decided as a board to focus that 50 percent on youth and families this year,” Guerra said. “We have an eclectic board, and together we have a knowledge of what this community needs.”
Jovenes De Antaño, which provides services to senior citizens, received the largest grant from the United Way, totaling $27,000. Jovenes Executive Director Pauline Valdivia said most of the funding would go to support the Meals on Wheels program, which serves 100 meals every day, and the transportation services, which help seniors make more than 8,000 trips every year. The funding is sorely needed, she said, as the program lost more than $13,000 from state and federal budget cuts last year.
“The senior center is a good place for these folks to be, because they can socialize and get a nutritious meal when they would otherwise be alone,” Valdivia said. “We don’t turn anyone away here, and because of the United Way funding we can continue to do that.”
The second largest grant, $19,000, was awarded to the Hollister Youth Alliance, a local effort that offers positive opportunities for at-risk young people. Grant sizes varied for the other 14 recipient organizations, but none received less than $1,400. Altogether the United Way awarded $10,000 more in grant moneys than it was able to last year.
“We’re especially excited that we were able to support two new applicants this year: Emmaus House and the Visiting Nurses Association,” Guerra said. “They do good work in this community and it’s always nice to see new applicants.”
Guerra says that despite the number of awards the United Way granted, much work is left for the organization.
“We were only to meet half of the funding needs that were requested of us – altogether our applicants requested $208,000,” she said. “And there’s a lot of really valuable programs out there that need the help.”
Already the United Way is gearing up for its seventh annual Extravaganza, a major fundraising dinner that brings in a substantial chunk of the funding the organization is able to redistribute.
“It’s going to be a wonderful evening with dancing and entertainment from our local artists,” Event Chairperson Kathy Marinsik said. “We’d love to have the community come out and support us.”
The Extravaganza will be from 6-11pm Nov.18 at San Juan Oaks. To volunteer or receive ticket information, e-mail UW****************@ya***.com or call 297-3547
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or ds****@fr***********.com
