That quote epitomizes Gilroy. Here, there is the power, and that was evident earlier this month when more than 100 members of the community raised money for the five children of Lourdes Sanchez, who was killed in a car crash in September.

For the past seven years, Lourdes Sanchez made mornings brighter as she greeted every golfer, homeowner, delivery person and contractor who came through the gates of the Eagle Ridge development during her shift.

"She was always very professional in what she did, and she was always smiling," said Aster Brittan, golf sales manager for Eagle Ridge. The 48-year-old Sanchez was mom to five children, her youngest two sons (ages 14 and 16) are in high school. She was killed on her way to work as gate guard and greeter at Eagle Ridge Sept. 16 when a Dodge Durango slammed into her Nissan Sentra on Santa Teresa Boulevard at Day Road West.

When co-workers and residents at Eagle Ridge learned of her death, they immediately wanted to do something. They began leaving flowers at the gate in tribute to Sanchez. It was Eagle Ridge General Manager and Vice President, Rick Smith, who had the idea to hold a golf tournament in her memory. Both residents and staff quickly embraced the idea of raising money to help the Sanchez children.

"It was Aster Brittan here at the Eagle Ridge Restaurant/Event Department and our amazing Eagle Ridge resident, Yvonne Drew, who nearly single-handedly made this happen in such a short amount of time," said Cathy Caserza-Light, who helped procure silent auction items for the benefit tournament and dinner.

From Morgan Hill to Gilroy to Hollister, donations came in from hair dressers, health and fitness spas, wineries, building contractors, real estate agencies, restaurants, glass makers, department stores and seven different golf courses.

All told, gift certificates and donations were made by 51 different businesses, most of them small companies.

"We put the whole thing together in just two weeks," Brittan described of the Oct. 14 golf tournament and dinner. "We raised a total of $17,549!"

The Eagle Ridge Ladies League golfs together every Tuesday and is currently raising money for breast cancer research. They decided to help with the benefit, as did the Eagle Ridge Men's Club. Sanchez' family worked to sell tee times and sign up foursomes to compete in the tournament. Seventy-seven players signed up for the tournament, five more than Brittan's goal of signing up a half field of 72 players. The first place team included Jose Espinoza, Kimi Hanson, Jason Haas and Joe Santos. But as General Manager Rick Smith said, "It was not about who won. It was all about giving to a worthy cause."

One hundred and twenty-two people attended the fundraising dinner held after the tournament. The Wedgewood Banquet Center provided the food at cost, and labor for the dinner was donated by the Eagle Ridge Restaurant. The children of Lourdes Sanchez sold raffle tickets at the event dressed in T-shirts emblazoned with a photo of their mom's smiling face. When presented with the check for the grand total, Sanchez' family was moved to tears.

"We thank Eagle Ridge Golf Club for their extreme generosity in putting this together for the Sanchez Family," said Blanca Baeza, sister-in-law of Lourdes Sanchez. "It is difficult to express in words our heartfelt thanks to all who helped put this together. We particularly want to acknowledge Rick Smith, Aster Brittan, Eric Smith, Yvonne Drew, Amelia Espinoza and all the volunteers who helped. Tremendous effort was put in such a short time to pull this together for the surviving children of Lourdes Sanchez. We thank you all."

"The important thing is how a community came together to assist a family in their loss and in need of financial support," Caserza-Light said.

Yvonne Drew, who served as auctioneer and MC, said, "It really was a group effort by everyone involved. You hit the nail on the head with how the community came together for such an important event."

And these children were in dire need.

"Lourdes left us suddenly and was unable to leave anything behind for her children, not even life insurance," Baeza said. "These funds will help provide money for living expenses as well as a fund for education that Lourdes always wanted for her children. What we have also taken from this is an affirmation that there are still people in this world that will step forward to help another in need. This is especially prevalent due to the state of our economy. In Aster Brittan's words, we hope to 'pass it forward' and help another family in a similar situation when the need arises."

Donations for the children can be sent to Vince Hernandez addressed to: "Sanchez Memorial Fund" and sent to Union Bank, 35 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville, CA, 95076.

Kat Teraji Kat Teraji is communications coordinator for a large non-profit organization that benefits women and children. Her column appears every Thursday in the Take 2 section of the Dispatch. You can reach her at kattoy@verizon.net.