One letter: Generosity of the Christopher family and scholarship applications

Dear Editor,
I would like to clarify some misinformation in a letter to the editor on July 5 from Sandy Una’Dia, regarding the Christopher family’s generosity. 
For decades, Don Christopher has hosted the annual Gilroy High School Cioppino Feed at his ranch and has donated dollars to the event as well.  He refinished the tennis courts at Gilroy High School. This past spring, he donated $75,000 to the Gilroy Foundation to purchase two vans to transport Gilroy High Students to games and events. He also has offered to buy Gilroy High School students thousands of dollars in e-books through the Foundation. 
We are awaiting for the school to tell us what kind they want. The Gilroy community has many residents that donate to various schools to help in areas the district cannot afford.  Obviously, it is up to the donor to give where they wish to give, and it is sad that they be criticized for their generosity.
Regarding scholarships to the four high schools in Gilroy, most of the scholarships do not  come from the district, but from private donors.  The Gilroy Foundation does administer many of those scholarships.
All require students to fill out applications. There were four $50,000 Julio Mata Scholarships available this past spring. We received NO applications from Gilroy High School students. Christopher Ranch offered a $2,500 scholarship to a graduating student who was a relative of a Ranch employee. We received NO applications from Gilroy High School students. When a donor decides to give scholarships, it is up to the donor to set the criteria and if students to do meet that criteria, or if they don’t apply, they obviously will not receive the scholarships.
Our community is known for its volunteerism and generosity.
The Gilroy Foundation has a multitude of donors who have helped create an endowment of over $10 million and growing. This is due to one thing: the generosity of our residents wanting to continue to improve the lives of those around us and the community in which we live.
Thank you Gilroy!
Donna Pray, Executive Director, Gilroy Foundation