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Raising money for cancer patients, the Hope Harvest Festival was held Sept. 27 and 28 at the San Benito County Historical Park outside of Tres Pinos.
According to organizer Tami Erickson, the event was a benefit for the San Benito County Health Foundation and raised more than $80,000 last year. The foundation has distributed more than $300,000 in grants over the past six years.
The festival featured a variety of food and craft vendors along with locally sourced produce, pumpkins, games for children and craft activities.
According to Erickson, the funds raised by the festival are used to assist those undergoing cancer treatment who are in financial distress.
“We help anyone who is having a problem paying their bills during the treatment process,” she said. “They can apply for a grant with those emergency funds, which can be used to help them with housing, gas or other emergency expenses.”
Erickson said the event was sponsored by approximately 30 corporate and private donors and that 75 volunteers were assisting over the two-day festival.
According to Hollister resident Glen Alameda, the Hope Harvest Festival was started by his parents, Tony and Cathy Alameda, who recognized a need to support people affected by cancer throughout San Benito County.
“My hope for Hope Harvest,” Alameda said, is that it really brings people together this time of year to work towards a common goal, which is to support the community.”
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