”
We are all created equal with special gifts and if we reach out
to each other in sharing these gifts, we all become richer.
”
– Roy Henry Vickers
“We are all created equal with special gifts and if we reach out to each other in sharing these gifts, we all become richer.”
– Roy Henry Vickers
Newly elected City Council Member Dion Bracco has volunteered to help the residents of Sunset Gardens Retirement Community for Seniors.
Resident Sheila Foote says, “I contacted Dion Bracco, and he will donate a 6-foot tree to the residents. God is shining on us today; it restores my faith in people. People really do care for the seniors.”
Kudos to Rhoda Bress for her hard work on behalf of Rucker teacher extraordinaire Janice Krahenbuhl. Krahenbuhl’s Christmas cheer began Monday morning when she was presented with the Educator of the Year Award!
Wondering why I had written a second column (11/10) about her in less than a year, she now knows it was timed to coincide with the citywide conspiracy of her co-workers, school board members, current parents of students, and former students as they plotted to make this award possible.
People around Gilroy were telling me she’d never get it because she marches to the beat of a different drummer.
It’s all the more satisfying to know that so deserving a teacher is being recognized for her decades of dedicated service, despite whatever politics might have come into play.
And thanks to the generosity of Gilroyans, Louise Shields has raised close to $1,000 in her drive to provide educational toys for the children of Rodriguez Migrant Camp and other children identified by the Department of Migrant Education as needy and at-risk this Christmas (11/03 column).
Working under the auspices of the non-profit Community Language Connection, Bob Garrett and Arline Silva collected $380 this week towards providing Christmas for two families who would otherwise be without gifts this holiday.
Go Kids (a large local non-profit child development agency) is providing the names, ages, and needs of each family member.
The Lara and Kyle Bruckmann concert in November at St. Mary Church (10/27 column) to benefit hurricane victims raised over $1,500. It was a good showing for a mere $10 suggested donation – and for a classical concert held on a cold fall night. It was nice to meet the people from New Orleans and talk with them at the concert.
Patty Pena of South County Housing tells me that while two Hurricane Katrina families have moved into their homes in Gilroy, and a third family is close to being relocated in an apartment here, there are still others who hope to make Gilroy their home in the future.
A single mom and her daughter are coming to look at places in Morgan Hill this week. They are staying with relatives for the time being but really need to find a place of their own.
More donations are needed, but since storage is a big problem, monetary and gift card donations (for buying diapers, food, formula for babies) are preferred at the moment.
However, Pena did say that baby furniture in good condition is needed for a hurricane-surviving family of husband, wife, and 9-month-old daughter who are about to move into their own place in Gilroy.
To donate to the South County Housing Hurricane Relief Fund, contact Patty Pena at 842-9181.
