When Mathai came to America from India 24 years ago, he had $20
in his pocket. Now, as market president for Wells Fargo branches
from Morgan Hill to Santa Barbara, he oversees 32 banks and he’s
not keeping his money to himself.
When Mathai came to America from India 24 years ago, he had $20 in his pocket. Now, as market president for Wells Fargo branches from Morgan Hill to Santa Barbara, he oversees 32 banks and he’s not keeping his money to himself.
Mathai invited scores of educators Tuesday morning to a Community Partners Gifting Ceremony at the Hilton Garden Inn, where he and his company doled out $24,000 to 24 schools as far north as Morgan Hill and as far south as Greenfield. Superintendents of the school districts in San Benito, Monterey and south Santa Clara counties also attended the ceremony.
“My team and I empowered our (12) Wells Fargo bank managers to select two schools each to receive a $1000 grant,” Mathai said. “We know this is a modest amount, but we trust that you will steward these funds to address the most pressing needs in your schools.”
I was lucky enough to attend the ceremony, and it was great to see the principal of my alma mater, North Salinas High, among those receiving money.
I have to admit that I don’t normally feel comfortable around bankers, and I do not endorse corporate causes in this column. But Mathai is someone who lives his philosophy of investing in the good of his own backyard and who wears his heart on his sleeve. He is so down to earth that he immediately puts you at ease.
Even though he moved to Gilroy only two years ago, he and his foundation manager, Randy Chun, have funded programs that so far have granted almost $500,000 to nonprofits in just this community alone. In spite of these challenging times in our economy and the banking industry, Mathai encourages team members to do the same in each of their communities. We could all learn a lesson from his attitude of gratitude.
“I am asking each of my bank managers to be your primary point of contact to organize volunteer efforts to help our schools,” Mathai said at the ceremony. “Our team members who give to local schools will receive dollar for dollar up to $5,000 in matching funds.”
Principals expressed how helpful any amount of grant money is at this time and how deeply appreciated they funds were. Scott Otteson, principal of Glen View Elementary School, said he already has a plan for the money.
“We will be using the money to help fund our summer reading program,” he said. “Students will read books on a weekly basis, come into our tech center to take Accelerated Reader quizzes on the computer, and if they pass, they will receive a new book for the next week. Students who participate are able to build up their home library by one book per week.”
Mary Brownell, principal of New Republic School in Salinas, named helmets as a safety concern she can address with the funds. Many principals also said they would use the money to purchase backpacks or revive field trips.
Otteson also plans to use part of the funds to help pay for a laminator and laminating film, since Glen View’s is obsolete.
“Teachers have been patiently waiting for a new one,” he said. “Thanks to Wells Fargo we will be able to move forward with both of these expenditures. We are very grateful for the support Wells Fargo is contributing to our school and many others in California.”
Iraida Pisano, principal at El Roble Elementary School in Gilroy, said the staff for kindergarten through fifth grade are in need of classroom supplies.
“At this time we have many needs,” she said. “If I had a wish list, we would be looking at technology and other classroom supports, including additional teaching assistance. We will use some of the grant money to upgrade our library materials.”
Pisano presented Wells Fargo with T-shirts with the El Roble logo, saying, “From tiny acorns, mighty oak trees grow!”
But Mathai deflected any gratitude, instead thanking the teachers.
“Thank you to each and every one of you for all you do for our children,” he said. “It is our hope that other businesses will hear about today and make the good decision to do a little more to help our schools.”
