The Youth Alliance will be honoring two community heroes at its “White Nights – a benefit for peace” fundraiser on May 18, at San Juan Oaks Golf Club, 3825 Union Road, in Hollister
The annual event raises money to support Youth Alliance programs in San Benito County and Gilroy.
Ray Sanchez, of San Juan Bautista, is the community hero from San Benito County this year. He is a chef and small business owner who has volunteered his time, talent and grilling equipment to cook for numerous nonprofit organizations, according to a Youth Alliance press release. He has volunteered with Pop Warner, Sacred Heart School, Baler Football and many other agencies. Sanchez engages youth and senior citizens in the community with his cooking. He has become a sought-after barbecue chef. For more than five years, he has volunteered his time to teach young men how to cook on a Community Media Access TV show, “Dude Food Show.”
Jaime Rosso, the community hero from Gilroy, is being honored for his longstanding commitment to youth and families. According to a press release from the Youth Alliance, Rosso has been involved in the Gilroy community for more than 30 years. He has served as president and a board member of the Gilroy Unified School District, where he has championed various educational initiatives through the years. As a business owner, he was also one of the founding members of the Gilroy Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which has given numerous scholarships.
Tickets for “White Nights – a benefit for peace” are $75 and are available online at www.youthall.org or by filling out a reservation form and mailing a check to: Youth Alliance, Attn: Hero, PO Box 1291, Hollister, CA 95024-1291. Ticket orders may also be dropped off at 310 Fourth St., Ste. 101. White attire is encouraged. For more information, call 831-636-2853 or 408-840-3685. Doors open May 18, at 6 p.m., with a reception and auction, dinner, community hero program and dancing until 11 p.m.
