A plea for assistance, kudos for county supervisors and a thanks
to the Rotary Club
Tonight and Thursday, Help Needed to Decorate GHS Gym for Grad Nite Party
Dear Editor,
We have been working for the past six months getting ready to have a fabulous 2007 Safe and Sober Graduation Night celebration for Gilroy High School seniors.
I am inviting any parents who have time to come and decorate the two gyms this week – tonight and Thursday anytime from 3 to 10 pm to help. The decorations are all made and we just need to put it all together. We usually have a blast doing it and it is just amazing! Our graduates are going to be given one last hoorah at Gilroy High just being kids. We still need parents to help in areas for event night, too!
The big toy areas need a parent to watch over the activity and we need security at the doors. Also, donations of brownies, cookies or treats would be welcome if you would like to bake and deliver them to the gym before 9 pm.
Thanks for your consideration and happy graduation class of 2007!
Lori Jeske, Gilroy
Supervisors on the Right Track – Use Reserves for Public Health Programs
Dear Editor,
On Monday night, the first evening the budget hearings, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted to save many vital public health, mental health and substance abuse and social support services. This had to be difficult. To support these services means that the county, facing a devastating budget deficit, will have to draw from the contingency reserve.Â
The contingency reserve is intended to be available should a disaster such as an earthquake or the pandemic flu hit our community. But we are better equipped to deal with such a catastrophe if we have taken care of our most vulnerable citizens – families and children facing great challenges such as poverty, unsafe neighborhoods, substance abuse and mental health problems. Without the vital supports from the county, many of our highest risk children will end up in the child welfare system, in juvenile hall or in high-cost emergency medical care. Mentally ill adults will wind up homeless on the streets or in the jails. All high cost alternatives to investing in their well-being now.
 The budget will not be finalized until Friday and there is still time for the supervisors to change their minds. It is important for citizens of this county to let the supervisors know that they have made the right choice to invest in our most vulnerable children and families. Call their offices and let them know you value their wisdom and courage.
Dana Bunnett, Executive Director, Kids in Common
Rotary Club Grant Really Helped Out Kids With Special Needs – Thanks
Dear Editor,
We would like to publicly thank the Rotary Club of Gilroy and recognize their commitment to serving and helping their community. South County Preschool was one of many recipients of a generous community grant. Our school serves preschool children with special needs within the Gilroy Unified School District.
This grant allowed us to purchase equipment to support and enrich the special needs of our students for years to come. Thank you for helping us to achieve our goals!
Kirsten Shew, teacher (autism program); Angie Bode, teacher, South County Preschool, GUSD