Gilroy’s Don of generosity, Don Christopher of Christopher Ranch, donated two new vans and 100 Nook e-readers to Gilroy High School last month.
“It was just incredible to get a call like that, saying ‘hey, can you use some vans?” GHS Principal Marco Sanchez said. “Given our transportation situation and budget, that was incredible.”
Sanchez said the high school has been in dire need of some vehicles for their athletic teams and have been relying on parents to shuttle students to out-of-town games.
“There was no money to do that, there wasn’t even a thought for it,” he said.
Christopher gave money to GHS to purchase two new, 10-seat Chevy vans at $32,000 each. He also gave money for the school to purchase 100 new e-readers so students can download textbooks and have a lighter backpack load.
“Here he has a high school named after him across town, but he continues to show love to Gilroy High,” Sanchez said.
In the past, Christopher has donated tens of thousands of dollars for various programs and purchases for GHS. Last year, he matched Gilroy Unified School District’s contribution of $35,000 to resurface the high school’s tennis courts.
The vans should be purchased and in use by the end of this year, and the e-readers will be incorporated in the fall semester.
“He doesn’t have to do that, he’s a private citizen and a business owner. But we are so thankful that he did,” Sanchez said.
