Each year, the hard work of the Garlic Festival’s volunteers truly pays off with revenue distributions based on the amount of man-hours they put in.
Since its creation in 1979, the Garlic Festival has given $10 million back to the community and its volunteers. The 2013 festival awarded a record $350,000 to its 167 participating non-profit organizations, many of which are sports teams.
The Gilroy Gators Swim Team led the way—and were the sixth overall in funds earned—by racking up $10,391.91 for their time spent volunteering as garbage collectors. The Gators—who rumor has it have been volunteering since the very first festival—were able to use their funds for pool fees, hiring coaches, scholarships and equipment.
“It’s huge for our team,” said Lisa Filice, who has been a Gators’ parent for the past 21 years. “Without this fundraiser, it would be a big, big hit to our team.”
The Gators swimmers and family members will be back in action picking up after festival goers this year in addition to working the Pepsi booth at Gourmet Alley and at the upper parking lot on Day Road. Team members also spend the two days following the festival restoring Christmas Hill Park to pristine condition before turning it back over to the City.
The Mustangs football team raised $5,488.83 during last year’s festival by working in the parking lot and assisting with any last minute odd jobs that arose. The team was able to use the funds for recovering bags, buying equipment and new jerseys for the JV and freshmen teams. Gilroy will volunteer again this year by running water to those working at Gourmet Alley.
“It’s huge,” Gilroy coach Brian Boyd said. “Yeah, it’s a money maker for us, but we’re trying to teach the boys valuable lessons with doing things for people.”
Gavilan softball led all Rams teams volunteering, raising $3,298.73 by selling and collecting tickets. The team put the funds toward buying new equipment for its Coast Conference-South championship winning season.
The Gavilan softball team has been volunteering at the festival for about seven years and will back again this year. While the extra funding is nice, coach Nikki Dequin said it pales in comparison to the experience.
“People volunteered their time to allow me to play,” Dequin said. “So it’s important for the girls—especially the new ones coming in—to be a part of that.”
A few top grossing teams from last year:
• Gilroy Gators Swim Team: $10,391.91
• Christopher High School Wrestling: $8,051.59
• CHS Football: $8,016.09
• Gilroy Wrestling: $6,293.28
• Gilroy Football: $5,488.83
• Gavilan College Womens Softball: $3,298.73
• Gilroy Girls Soccer: $3,319.09
• CHS Girls Softball: $3,133.43
• CHS Lacrosse: $3,086.05
• Gilroy Swim and Girls Water Polo Teams: $2,320.72
