School has new benches thanks to local businesses, families
Community Raises Cash for Benches
n By heather bremner Staff Writer
Gilroy – When Lydia Chilman learned that the district could not afford to purchase 20 benches for her daughter’s school instead of whining, she took the initiative.
As Ascencion Solorsano Middle School Parent Club fund-raiser Chilman decided to ask the generous community of Gilroy to donate the cash for the benches.
In July, she sent out a letter asking business owners, parents and community members to help Solorsano purchase benches for the school campus.
“As we begin our third year as a new middle school with 800 students, we have found due to the drastic California budget cuts imposed on public education, the district cannot afford to buy 20 benches for our school,” she wrote in the letter nearly a year ago.
While, donors were encouraged to give any sum possible, large or small, the names of those who donated $325 or more, the price of a bench, will be displayed on a large plaque in the school office.
Who made it happen?
Sponsored two benches
– Jeff Chilman Tax Shelters
– Fernandes and Sons, General Contractors
Sponsored one-and-a-half benches
– Ranjeet Khaira
Sponsored one bench
– Century 21 Premier/Stacy Tomaselio
– Christopher Ranch, LLC
– Dr. Richard R. Gallagher, Orthodontics
– Dr. Ferdinand D. Manalili, Dentistry
– Dr. Tommy Tong, Orthodontics
– Dr. Bas W. Wafelbakker, Orthodontics
– Eagle Ridge Golf Course & Country Club
– Im Family
– Milton F. Gonzalez, Attorney at Law
– Royal Pools of Santa Clara, Inc.
– The James Group
– Vanni Investments I, LLC
– Vicki Berchem/Brett Scott
– Village Green Assisted Care, LLC
– West Side Nursery/Blocher-Sullivan Family
– Whitehead Family
$100 donation
– Goldsmith Seeds, Inc.
– Wal-Mart
