Stories and Events
Engaging San Benito County through Philanthropy
July 5, 2022
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Stories
Hope Harvest Fund Grants to Young Cancer Warrior
The Hope Harvest Fund was opened just a year ago at the Community Foundation and the fund has already given out its first grant to a deserving young child and his family. Hope Harvest Fund was established to provide financial assistance to local cancer warriors. Financial assistance can be used for mortgage/rent, utilities, childcare, food, and/or gas. Ezekiel was diagnosed with retinoblastoma (cancer in the retina) when he was only 2 years old. Ezekiel has poor to no vision in his right eye and his specialists have suggested that the eye be removed this summer. His left eye is completely healthy with no cancer detected, which allows him to keep up with his family and friends. He participates in sports and does not let his compromised vision or diagnosis slow him down. He is a happy child who is full of energy and brings a smile to everyone who knows him.
June 29, 2022
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Events
Financial Education Workshop Series
Family wealth transfers sometimes fail, damaging sibling relationships and affecting the impact you want your assets to have. Join us for a seminar to learn about common mistakes to avoid. We will also discuss tools and resources to help aid the family wealth discussion and how to communicate with clarity.
June 20, 2022
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Events
Migrant Health Fair Back again for 2022
This year’s Migrant Health Fair will be on June 24th from 11 AM to 3 PM at 3235 Southside Road, Hollister, CA (at the Migrant Center)! Every year, farmers and their families migrate to the San Benito County area to do seasonal fieldwork during the summer months between May and November. San Benito County provides subsidized housing at the Migrant Housing Center in Hollister to migrant families during their temporary stay. The Migrant Health Fair has been held every summer since 2008 at the Migrant Center to offer the children living there with health screenings from various clinics that come to Hollister. The fair also lets families know of the many services and resources that can be found within Hollister and San Benito County. Early intervention in a child’s physical and mental health prevents and mitigates long-term harm and helps a child to improve themselves and their abilities. The health screenings help to detect health concerns, such as visual impairments or developmental delays, that may be hindering a child’s skills in performing well at school or socializing with their peers. In addition to the health screenings, and access to information on available local resources, there will also be free food and fun activities for children of all ages. The Community Foundation is proud to have provided the Migrant Health Fair with funding through a grant. We support the focus on preventative care that helps those in our community and wish the event lots of success. Those organizing the Migrant Health Fair would like to give a very special thanks to Cathy and Tony Alameda, Tami Erickson and family, Tracy and Thomas Taggart, R & R Labor, Jose Rodriguez, Juan Morales from Amazon Latinos, the Community Foundation for San Benito County, Super Taqueria, La Michoacana, and two anonymous donors. Your generosity has made it possible to put together this event and has been an immense help in bringing all the resources that will be at the fair. Thank you for the work, time, and contributions you have put into assisting us to build up the fair and look after the welfare of our Migrant families. Muchas gracias por todo su ayuda. ¡Esperamos verles este 24 de junio! Trae sus niños y pasen un bien tiempo a la feria de salud de migrantes. Van a tener educación y exámenes de salud, actividades divertidas por los niños, y comida gratis.
June 8, 2022
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Stories
Ukraine Humanitarian Fund
In order to join the effort that so many have been putting forth to help Ukraine and those affected, the Community Foundation for San Benito County opened the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund. The fund's purpose is to direct donations to organizations providing services and relief efforts to the people of Ukraine. After much consideration, the Community Foundation has selected three nonprofits to be granted $3,000 each with the donations given to the Humanitarian Fund.
May 19, 2022
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Stories
Congratulations Class of 2022!
Congratulations to the graduating students from Anzar High School, San Andreas Continuation High School, San Benito High School, and all local San Benito County Schools. The Community Foundation is happy to share in the excitement of their well-deserved success.
May 3, 2022
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Stories
Martin Rajkovich Fund Supports Children Like Eli
The Martin Rajkovich Fund was established to enhance the quality of life for critically or chronically ill children in San Benito County. You can refer a special needs child by filling out the application on our website.
March 22, 2022
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Events
Class of 1977 Scholarship Deadline Extended
Class of 1977 has extended their scholarship deadline to March 31st.
March 4, 2022
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Stories
Epicenter Receptions
In February, the Community Foundation for San Benito County opened its doors for a series of six receptions showcasing the new Epicenter building, located in the 400 block of downtown Hollister. The Epicenter was built to serve as a central hub for nonprofit activities and community collaboration. The land and construction costs for the project were a gift from Randy and Rebecca Wolf, who wanted to provide a space and resources for nonprofits in San Benito County and foster a positive impact on the community. The Epicenter offers meeting spaces, office spaces, and multiple workstations for long-term or drop-in use by local nonprofits. Currently, ten nonprofits will be housed in the Epicenter. These include CASA of San Benito County, BenitoLink, Health Project Center, United Way, Emmaus House, Sun Street Centers, Hollister Community Outreach, Martha’s Kitchen, and Economic Development Corporation of San Benito County. CASA’s Executive Director Esther Curtis states that she looks forward to working “in an environment where we (CASA) can gather and support the needs of the community”. On Saturday, February 12th the Hollister Downtown Association hosted a public open house at the Epicenter, in attendance were Anthony and Carol Mauro. They were excited to see the new building that is now located where they once operated Mauro Stationers, Inc. until it was destroyed in the 1989 earthquake. Anthony said, “It is a beautiful building and so incredible to see. I love it!” As he walked outside to the patio area he remembered his old workshop that was in that area, “My workshop was the area that saved everyone in the earthquake.” During the earthquake, Carol gathered everyone into the workshop while the building around them collapsed. Ten people, including children, were safe and walked out unharmed. Carol was happy to see the Epicenter completed, “it is such a great way to bring the community together. It is just fantastic!” The Foundation Board and staff would like to thank everyone who came out to celebrate the Epicenter and they look forward to it being a place for people to connect, plan, inspire, and create a thriving community. The Community Foundation’s CEO, Gary Byrne says, “We are excited to start this new chapter for the Foundation. This building represents a lot of hard work and dedication from Randy and Rebecca Wolf, as well as many other community members, which helped make this dream a reality. We look forward to advancing our mission and continuing our work in a center that is designed and built to stand the test of time.”
January 20, 2022
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Events
Scholarships 2022
Scholarships for graduating seniors, high school, continuing education, college, San Benito High School, San Benito County, Aromas, San Juan Bautista, Anzar High School, Hollister, California, money for college, apply, graduate, success, class of 2022
December 21, 2021
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Stories
New Fund Grants for Local Cancer Support
Hope Harvest Cancer Fund happy fall festival full of beautiful scenery, unique vendors, yummy food and drinks, and of course, pumpkins For many years, Cathy Alameda participated in Relay for Life with the Casillas-Garner Family and Friends team in Hollister. This team is passionate and strong, which is why after receiving cancer treatment, Cathy and her husband Tony, decided to open a pumpkin patch with proceeds going towards their team and the American Cancer Society. “the disease is two-fold: you have the stress of trying to get well again, and you have the stress of the financial impact that the treatment has on the household." In 2021, they came to the Community Foundation to open a fund with the intent of helping other local cancer warriors with any financial burden they may be facing. The fund was established to provide financial assistance of up to $10,000 per household, for mortgage/rent, utilities, child care, food, and gas assistance. Setting up a fund at the Community Foundation allows grants to be awarded on an as-needed basis. It also ensures the donations stay within San Benito County and help those living in the community. interested in being considered for a grant can fill out an application on the Community Foundations website.