Jeff Orth, 2010 Firman B. Voorhies Volunteer of the Year
Jeff Orth operates his own financial planning business,
Integrated Financial Benefits Network, in Gilroy. On weekends, Orth
lends a hand in his community often through the Gilroy Rotary Club,
which he has been a member of for 11 years.
Jeff Orth, 2010 Firman B. Voorhies Volunteer of the Year
What he does: Jeff Orth operates his own financial planning business, Integrated Financial Benefits Network, in Gilroy. On weekends, Orth lends a hand in his community often through the Gilroy Rotary Club, which he has been a member of for 11 years.
Sometimes with Rotary, sometimes on his own, Orth helps out at Rebekah Children’s Services, an organization which provides foster care placement and support services.
“I have a soft spot in my heart for youth, especially underprivileged youth,” Orth said. “A lot of times they have nothing, they don’t even have pajamas.”
This prompted Orth to organize a $15,000 donation from his Rotary district to Rebekah Children’s Services. The donation went to luggage, pajamas, alarm clocks and computers for local foster kids. Besides helping out at Rebekah, as the youth service chair for his Rotary district, Orth works with 6,000 youth from Alameda to San Benito counties teaching them community service. These programs include an international youth exchange, which sends youth abroad; and a leadership academy, which pairs at-risk youth with scholarship youth.
Why he received the award: The Firman B. Voorhies Volunteer of the Year award, named first chairman of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce, is presented to an outstanding volunteer each year said Chamber President/CEO Susan Valenta.
“Jeff signs his letters with ‘Yours to count on’ – and this describes Jeff perfectly,” Valenta said. “You can always count on him to be right there by your side.”
On the Chamber, Orth has contributed in many capacities, including serving on the board of directors for two terms, as an ambassador, as the beer booth manager at the Gilroy Garlic Festival for more than 10 years and as emcee for the Chamber’s Breakfast Club – a networking event from 6:45 to 8 a.m. on the third Wednesday of every month at the Hilton Garden Inn.
In his own words: “You can sit around and watch TV on Saturdays, or you can go out and make a difference. I want to make a difference.”
