Contributed story
The Gavilan College Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 Gavilan College Community Spirit Awards presented Wednesday at the monthly Gilroy Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting.
Gilroy Business: Veterinarian Greg Martinez
Dr. Martinez offers videos of a wide range of problems that primarily dogs encounter. His website offers these videos and advice to anyone who is interested. Judging from the comments of the followers he is providing a valuable free service to not just the local community but to the broader community available through the internet. There are no self-serving messages in here. All advice is free. It allows owners to make some informed choices about their pets. Dr. Martinez also volunteers with CMAP as a volunteer, and onscreen personality.
Gilroy Individual: Lisa Bruce
Lisa Bruce sees needs and silently works to make a difference in the lives of children. Each year her service to children seems to grow. Five years ago, Lisa lost her job due to a disability. She struggled with depression over the loss of her job. She received a request from her children’s school to head their Adopt-A-Family program, providing a special Christmas to at least 17 local families per year. While in charge of the program, Lisa expanded the program by obtaining bicycles for children who did not have a bicycle and by providing Christmas stockings with hygiene supplies for the entire family. Giving bicycles became a larger focus. In five years over 300 bicycles and helmets have been given to South County children in need. Lisa hopes to be able to supply 200 bicycles this Christmas, as she writes grants to Turning Wheels for Kids and to Specialized. Lisa’s newest project is opening a non-profit called Unspoken Works. Through this non-profit she plans to provide school and hygiene supplies to children in need. This year she is working to provide backpacks filled with the supplies required by the schools and hygiene supplies. She states she understands well what children and teens go through when families cannot afford hygiene supplies, as she was once one of those children. Lisa has also provided Christmas stockings and Easter baskets for the kids at Chamberlains services. She is on the board of directors for Chamberlain’s Mental Health Services in Gilroy and Chamberlain’s Children’s Center in Hollister. Lisa Bruce has not received recognition for her work to the community from any organization.
Gilroy Organization: Vision Literacy
Vision Literacy is a non-profit organization that supports thousands of adults struggling with literacy. Vision Literacy provides one-on-one and group tutoring, classes, and workshops for adults in need. Some of the programs include reading and writing tutoring, computer literacy workshops (with hands-on support), GED preparation, leadership programs, and support with life skills, such as financial literacy, interviewing and resume writing. Vision Literacy has been partnering with Gavilan College students in Service Learning. Representatives from Vision Literacy have visited Gavilan to discuss illiteracy, the impact illiteracy has on families and communities, and the feelings of shame that are often associated with illiteracy. Vision Literacy has provided orientations and trainings for Gavilan student volunteers.
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This set of awards is presented annually to individuals, organizations, and businesses who contribute to the communities within the Gavilan Joint Community College. Three sets of awards are presented each year, in Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and San Benito County.
WHEN & WHERE: Oct. 19, Gilroy Chamber of Commerce Breakfast, 6:45 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn
The awards were created in 1999 through Board Resolution 739, in order to promote and recognize service to the communities Gavilan College serves. A representative committee of the campus community reviews nominations and selects the award winners. Anyone may nominate an individual, organization, or business in the community for an award. All members of the community are invited to submit nominations for individuals, businesses, and organizations deserving of recognition. A nominee who is not selected may be renominated for the next year. For nomination forms and more information, go to www.gavilan.edu/pio or call (408) 848-4724.
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