Over the last 36 years, the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association has given back more than $10,673,000 to community groups, according to figures released Monday that include this year’s disbursements. The association handed out $300,000 to 149 different charities and non-profits after this year’s Garlic Festival, from local sports teams to youth groups, a press release from the association states.
The three-day Garlic Festival, founded in 1979, revolves around volunteers who work not for their own wages, but for the funding of local groups they’re a part of—some who depend on the Garlic Festival as a primary fundraiser.
“Every single person who volunteers at the Garlic Festival is part of something truly special,” said 2014 Gilroy Garlic Festival President Vito Mercado. “I was very proud to serve as president this year and represent more than 4,000 volunteers who come together every year to host this amazing event for visitors from all over the world. It’s rewarding to see everyone’s hard work pay off in real benefits to our local community.”
This year’s top five beneficiaries from the Garlic Festival include the Gilroy/Christopher High School Alliance Choir, who received $13,149, the Gilroy Police Explorers Post 818, who earned $11,821, the South Valley Community Church Youth Group, who brought in $11,493, the Gilroy Gators Swim Team, with $11,047, and Live Oak High School’s Emerald Regime, bringing in $9,880.
On top of the funds distributed to local groups, the Garlic Festival Association donated $7,0000 to fund scholarships at local universities who competed in the Garlic Bowl cooking competition, including University of Santa Clara, Fresno State University, and University of California, Berkeley.
For a complete list of disbursements, click on the attachment included with this story.
