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We’ve got some great news for you. As BenitoLink’s executive director, I am welcoming you to our first annual Press-Tigious Awards, an upbeat night recognizing and celebrating 10 great groups and individuals who have made a difference in San Benito County.
Kick up your heels Western style! This is an opportunity to take part in your county and your community news organization. We hope you will join us on April 25 for a beautiful get-together with friends and neighbors.
Come on…get up off that couch and let’s go! Your local nonprofit newsroom is planning a fun evening with fantastic company, gourmet food, music and, of course, some good old-fashioned country line dancing. Help us celebrate residents who are making a tangible difference in our community and creating “momentum clusters” of folks collaborating for the benefit of all by giving their time and getting involved.
Join us to celebrate 10 Outstanding Groups and Individuals
Press-tigious Award Honorees
● VISIT SAN BENITO COUNTY- This ambitious group met and organized after BenitoLink’s Listening Sessions to improve tourism countywide and is helping define the county’s identity to potential visitors and put San Benito on the California tourism map.
● CALIFORNIA YOUNG FARMERS AND RANCHERS- This energetic group met and organized after BenitoLink Listening Sessions to address concerns about the reduction of youth going into agriculture.
● PINNACLE ARTS ASSOCIATION- This determined group met and organized after BenitoLink Listening Sessions because of a strong interest in establishing a Hollister performing arts location that can be used by a wide variety of arts and culture enthusiasts.
Newsworthy Award Honorees
● Civic Engagement: Hollister High School Counselor HEATHER NICHOLS runs a program that helps high school students engage more in their community.
● Health: Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital Auxiliary President JOHN WILLIAMS manages over 100 volunteers contributing to this amazing 75-year-old organization.
● Youth and Education: Migrant Education specialist JULIO SALAZAR has given his career and volunteer time to a part of our community that has deserved and needed particular attention.
● Arts and Culture: CRISTAL GONZALEZ-AVILA, LUIS VALDEZ, CHRISTY SANDOVAL. El Teatro Campesino is transitioning from one generation to the next but is sure to keep San Juan Bautista as the county’s dynamic center for arts and culture.
● Land Use: RAYMOND MARTINEZ had an inspiration and as a community service, created his “Blueprint” website so county residents can follow projects being presented to local government.
● Business: Real Estate Agent JASON NOBLE and Regional Builders MIKE AND TRACY NINO took extra steps to solve ongoing problems with the city of Hollister through in-person discussions and a willingness to come forward despite genuine concerns about retaliation by the city.
● Local Media Volunteer: Longest Running Committed Contributor DAVID BAUMGARTNER has shared his wacky sense of humor and love for astronomy in a BenitoLink column since 2019 and the Hollister Freelance prior to that.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available.
For sponsorships or media inquiries please contact:
Leslie David lesliedavid@benitolink.com or Kris Waller kriswaller@benitolink.com
Thank you for helping us celebrate the grassroots, can-do spirit of San Benito County residents.