Citizens recognized for their impact on the community

November 12 was San Benito County’s annual Philanthropy Day celebration held at San Juan Oaks Golf Course.

It is the night the county recognized the enormous achievements of all who have given of themselves to make lives better for others. San Benito County is a richer place in which to live due to the efforts of our philanthropic volunteers, and the Community Foundation for San Benito County has been celebrating their local achievements since 2001.

Accomplishments, large and small, by hundreds of individuals, businesses, and nonprofits have been highlighted during the past 15 years at the Foundation’s celebration, which has grown from a luncheon during its first nine years, to a full dinner celebration. This is a unique social event where nonprofits are given the opportunity to select their own nominees who are then honored by the Community Foundation.

To date, more than 750 volunteers have been awarded with certificates of recognition while their story is shared with other guests.

This year, the Foundation recognized 46 new honorees with 52 organizations attending the packed event. Each year, the list of honorees grows as more neighbors and friends step up to the plate and make change happen. 

Here is the list of this year’s honorees: 

Aromas Hills Artisans – Louise Coombes     

Aromas-San Juan Bautista Community Schools Foundation – Piper Jaramillo & Boykin Sellers

Aromas-San Juan Unified School District – Sara Frieberg 

BenitoLink.com – Julie Morris

Boy Scouts of America San Benito District – Richard Westphal

CASA of San Benito County – Patricia Riley

Chamberlain’s Children Center – Tonia Sunseri

City of San Juan Bautista – Teresa Lavagnino

Community Action Board – Juan Cruz

Community Food Bank of SBC – Pat St. John

Community Foundation for SBC – Randy Wolf

Community Services Development Corporation – Renee Kunz

Community Solutions – Adam Sanders

Economic Development Corporation SBC – Ken Lindsay

Fishes and Loaves  –  Bob Hervey    

Friends of the SBC Free Library – Bonnie Flores-Voropaeff

Girl Scouts of CACC – Jeanine Gonzalez

Hazel Hawkins Hospital Foundation – Don Winn

Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital & Auxiliary – Bobbie Champagne

Hollister Airmen’s Association – Alan & Lori Woodle    

Hollister Downtown Association – Community Foundation for SBC  

Hollister Lions Club – John Zaragoza

Jovenes de Antaño – Dolly De Vasier 

Kinship Center ~ Gabilan Chapter – Kris Waller

Kiwanis Club of Hollister – SBHS Key Club

National Philanthropy Day Committee – Colleen Johnson

Pinnacle Quilters of SBC – Jane K. Charron

Pinnacles Partnership – Tim Regan  

Rotary Club of Hollister – William Tiffany

Rotary Club of SJB – Andrew Shelton

San Benito County Arts Council – Mike Corbin

San Benito County Business Council – Graham Mackie    

San Benito County Historical Society – Frances Palmtag

San Benito Stage Company – Lois Kincaid

San Juan Bautista Historical Society – Anne Caetano

San Juan Bautista Library Auxiliary – Keith Wright

San Juan Committee – Jill Glass Pagaran

St. Francis Retreat Center – Jane Merrill

Sun Street Centers – Gary Haney  

The Salvation Army, Hollister Corps – Jose Luis Valdez

The 33rd District Agricultural Association – Daryl Lund    

Top Hatters Motorcycle Club – Marcelo Orta

United Way of San Benito County – Pacific Scientific

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9242 – Frankie Gallagher

Women’s Club of Hollister – Joan Sattler

YMCA of San Benito County – Vicki Morris