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San Benito nonprofits gathered to celebrate local honorees at a National Philanthropy Day Annual Dinner on Nov. 14 at the Hollister Elks Lodge. The evening award dinner was hosted by the Community Foundation for San Benito County and this year’s theme was “Twenty years of serving our community.”
Twenty-eight nonprofits recognized individuals, businesses and groups that made a positive impact. Keynote speaker, Susan Schwabacher, shared her philanthropic journey and her appreciation for how much work local nonprofits do for the benefit of the whole community.
“What began as a small collective of community-minded leaders who saw the importance of having a dedicated organization to pool resources and direct them where they could do the best for our county.
Over the years, it has evolved from a modest local initiative to a major driver of positive change in the county,” she said.
Schwabacher, who was a foundation board member, on the foundation grants committee and was part of the BenitoLink founding board, stressed the growth and progress the Community Foundation for San Benito County has achieved in over 20 years of community service.
“In times of crisis or major disaster the foundation has filled a role; the foundation distributed funds for grants during Covid and also partnered with the county and city for disaster relief,” Schwabacher said.
The Masters of Ceremony were Heritage Bank Market Manager Phil Fortino and his wife, United for San Benito Executive Director Vicki Fortino.
Community Foundation for San Benito County’s interim CEO Kathy Johnson stepped up as one of the evening speakers after the foundation learned the second featured speaker was unable to attend. Johnson asked the audience members if they were already familiar with her and the majority of the attendees raised their hands.
Award presenters were Salina Chacon, YMCA of San Benito County, and Danny Barrera Jr., Jovenes de Antaño.
The honorees are as follows:
Michelle Noble McCain – Aromas Eagles Aerie #72
DeRose Winery – BenitoLink
Esther Curtice – CASA of San Benito County
Sasha Galdos, Karen Stacy & Ashley Galdos – City of San Juan Bautista & Mary V. Sellen Senior Center
Richard Steel & Kylie Gillio – Community Food Bank
Beverley Meamber – Community Foundation for SBC
Saida Mendoza – Community Services and Workforce Development
Sandy Gabe – Friends of SBC Free Library
DeRose Winery – Gabilan Chapter Seneca
Nancy Oliveira – Hazel Hawkins Hospital Foundation
Larry Avila – Jovenes de Antaño
Ruth Hermosillo – Latino Coalition of San Benito County- Mission San Juan Bautista Preservation
Sharon Gerber – Pinnacle Quilters of SBC
Bryan Yamaoka – Rotary Club of Hollister
Larry Cain – Rotary Club of San Juan Bautista
Rachel Flores – San Benito Arts Council
Dave Wright – San Benito County Historical Society
Arcadio Viveros – San Benito Health Foundation
John & Melissa Schilling – San Benito Stage Company
Anonymous Volunteer – San Juan Bautista City Library
Leslie Jordan – Spirit of San Juan Bautista
Janet Locey – St. Francis Retreat
Sandra Quintana – Sun Street Centers
Camille Hartman – United for San Benito
Laura Lee – Women’s Club of Hollister
Keith Severson – YMCA
Cheree Ashley – Youth Alliance
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