Even in the worst economic climate since the Great Depression,
Gilroyans are giving up their own comforts to meet the needs of the
less fortunate.
Even in the worst economic climate since the Great Depression, Gilroyans are giving up their own comforts to meet the needs of the less fortunate.
The amount donated might be down, but the desire to give is stronger than ever, local and national organizations reported. A recent survey of the Dispatch’s digest section revealed a weekend crowded with fundraisers and charity events to benefit various local nonprofits. And even though do-gooders might not be able to give as generously as they’d like, they’re turning out in droves, offering their time and resources to help others.
“I think everybody really wants to help,” said Teresa Glover, bar manager at Westside Grill. “Even if it’s just $5 or $10, if you get enough people to donate, it makes a huge difference.”
In the past, Glover sent out letters to community members requesting donations for her cause. Now that people are tightening their purse strings, Glover said she’s not as comfortable soliciting donations, and decided to take a different approach to fundraising. The restaurant hopes to raise $2,500 Thursday for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by raffling off San Jose Sharks hockey tickets and asking for donations to take a photo with the team’s mascot, Sharkie. Earlier this year, she raffled off a jersey signed by the San Jose Sharks and raised more than $1,000.
“People are very generous,” she said. “If I find out what they’re interested in, I can use that to my advantage and they get something out of it as well.”
Instead of relying on traditional donations, other local organizations have gotten creative, putting on everything from softball tournaments to wine tastings.
Sponsored by Dutchman’s Pizza, the California Junior Scholarship Federation’s inaugural Men’s Softball Tournament was met with resounding success over the weekend, said Jim Shuster, owner of the pizzeria. The event raised $1,700 to benefit the Federation, which promotes academic success and community service at Gilroy’s middle schools.
In the past, Shuster just wrote a check to the federation for about half the amount the tournament raised this year. On a budget himself, he aimed to involve a lot more people this year to learn about the Federation and have a good time at the tournament.
“The tournament showed us that there is money out there and people will spend it to have a little fun in return,” he said. “I’m a big proponent of spending money where you live. It might not be the dollars, but it’s the quarters – and at least it’s something.”
Community members like Shuster inspire others to raise their own standard of giving, said Valerie Kelly, a teacher at Ascencion Solorsano Middle School who helped run the concession stand at the tournament.
“He’s like Santa Claus,” she said. “By and large, I think there are those instigators, like Jim, who really set the tone.”
Even when people can’t donate as much financially as they’d like, many still volunteer time and other resources, said Tracy Kester, an instructor at Gilroy High School’s adaptive recreation program. Kester and her colleagues helped organize a well-attended Italian dinner Saturday at Kirigin Cellars to benefit the Association for Adults with Developmental Disabilities.
“I was surprised because people are having such hard times,” she said. “There weren’t a lot of huge donations, but there were a lot of people giving.”
Larger organizations, like Rebekah Children’s Services, which has served Gilroyans for more than 100 years, also struggle with finding the resources necessary to keep certain programs afloat, said Mike Hayes, fund development director.
Though the dollars may not be there, the desire to give still is, Hayes said.
“I believe there’s that reservation,” he said. “People have a little tighter hold on their wallets, which is understandable. I think everyone is feeling the pain, but they definitely want to give and help in some way.”
Though U.S. charitable giving was down 2 percent last year to $307 billion, according to Giving USA, a foundation that publishes data and trends about charitable giving, the picture for 2009 is still unclear.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if individual giving increases,” said Daniel Borochoff, a representative with the American Institute of Philanthropy, a nonprofit charity watchdog. “People want to do more. I think people are more attuned to wanting to help, especially in a crisis or disaster situation.”
