If you wanted to know where the heart of San Benito County was last night, I think it is safe to say it was at San Juan Oaks last night.
275 of San Benito County’s most giving community members were gathered by the Community Foundation for San Benito County to honor 43 Philanthropists of the Year. Each of the 43 were chosen by a non-profit organization and recognized for their voluntary work. San Benito County is home to 242 non-profit organizations with a wide range of focus, from troubled children and senior health, the Girl Scouts, the Rotary Clubs and Libraries, the homeless, public and private schools, local theater, artisthttp://cffsbc.org/gallery_philanthropyday2013.phps, the Community Food Bank and much, much more.To see a photos of every nominee and their organization, click here.
This year’s list of honorees for donating their time and energy to their local non-profits are:
Aromas Eagles – Jim West
Aromas Hills Artisans – Barbara Scoles
Aromas-San Juan Bautista Community Schools Foundation – Terry Strasser
Aromas-San Juan Unified School District – Colleen Frederickson
Baler Education Foundation – Mike Schurig
CASA of San Benito County – Minde Busch
Chamberlain’s Children Center – Josie Bravo
City of San Juan Bautista – Wanda Guibert
Community Food Bank of San Benito County – Nancy Takaoka
Community Foundation for San Benito County – Bob Stratton
Community Solutions – Toni Lamps
Emmaus House – Lucille Hardy
Fishes and Loaves – Sarah Herbert
Friends of the San Benito County Free Library – Rebecca Salinas
Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast – Jennifer Morcate
Jovenes De Antaño – Charlie Scott
Hazel Hawkins Hospitals Foundation – Richard and Angela Shelton
Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital – Geraldine Simmons
Hollister Downtown Association – Richard Steele
Hollister Lions Club – Larry & Karen Smith
Hollister Rotary Club – Cathy Buck
Holte Holiday Dinners – Jason Noble
Homeless Coalition of San Benito County – Sunnyslope 4-H Club
Hospice Foundation – Steven C. Merrell
Kinship Center – Gabilan Chapter – Marge Brady
Leadership San Benito – Jessica Brem
Pinnacle Quilters of San Benito County – Julee Maggiora
Sacred Heart Parish School – Robert Bianchi
Saint Francis Retreat Center – Michael Lee
San Benito Arts Council – Cesar Flores
SBC Chamber of Commerce & Visitor’s Center – Kim Bautista
San Benito County Free Library – Monica Quiroz-Rivera
San Benito County Historical Society – Wayne Bowers
San Benito High School District – Youth Alliance
San Benito Oriana Chorale – Rachel Romina
San Benito Stage Company – Kristy Burchard
San Juan Historical Society – Vicki Morris
The Salvation Army – Henry Gutierrez
United Way of San Benito County – Target
Women’s Club of Hollister – Cindy Biesemeyer
YMCA – Norma Martinetti
Youth Alliance – Lori Marra
Many in attendance had been recognized previously and were attending in support of this year’s honorees and their non-profits.
Other groups in attendance were:
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Monterey
CHISPA
Community Services Development Corporation
David and Lucille Packard Foundation
Los Altos Community Foundation
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
33rd District Agricultural Association
Pet Friends
The Program was put together by Committee Co-Chairs Colleen Johnson and Beverly Meamber. Renee Kunz and Will Sutton served as Masters of Ceremony. Awards were presented by Supervisor Margie Barrios and Mayor Ignacio Velazquez.
Keynote Speaker Tim Borland of Windmere Ranch was the subject of a film about his feat of running 63 marathons in 63 days to bring awareness to a rare fatal children’s disease. He inspired the group by reminding them that none of the things he had accomplished, or that they had accomplished could be done without the help of others.He spoke of the hope that had been created in families who had given it up, but were inspired by his act. He was inspired by their hope.
Community Foundation for San Benito County Executive Director Gary Byrne closed the gathering with the announcement of an opportunity made by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation which will be available to all 501c3 San Benito County non-profits in May for National Giving Day. There will be a workshop on Thursday, Nov 21 at the YMCA at 5:30 for those interested in knowing more.
You may download the power point slide show which accompanied the presentations here.