Leadership class challenges resident to eat raw garlic

The class as of July 16 has raised more than $8,343 for local charities through the challenge

By Staff Report

Get ready to go raw. As a part of their service project called “Gilroy cLOVE Days,” members of the Leadership Gilroy class of 2020 are throwing residents of the South Valley a challenge to video themselves eating an uncooked clove of garlic.

The class project is a way to bring people together around the garlic-themed series of events because this year’s Gilroy Garlic Festival was cancelled because of the coronavirus. On July 24, 25, and 26 ­— the days the event would have been held at Christmas Hill Park — the class will host various virtual events intended to raise money for seven nonprofit organizations. (See the story on the front page.)

The challenge of eating a raw clove of garlic and putting a video of the experience on social media was a way to promote Gilroy cLOVE Days to the public.

“The class decided to include the challenge in the project because we needed a safe way to raise money and awareness when we were sheltering in place,” said Noemi Naranjo, a Gavilan College public information officer who is a member of this year’s class. “We have been encouraging people to take the challenge because it is a fun way to raise awareness and funds for these nonprofits. People also seem to enjoy challenging their friends and family to eat raw garlic.”

The Gilroy High School Cheer Team had a lot of fun and got creative with their video as the young women passed a garlic clove along the line. Gilroy Life publisher Marty Cheek made a video using Zoom that can be viewed on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2XtahC7mXE.

The class as of July 16 has raised more than $8,343 for local charities through the challenge. People have mentioned in their posts that they made direct donations to other local charities that are not part of the list.

“We can’t keep track of everyone that has participated in the challenge because some have their accounts set to private, with only friends and family allowed to see the videos,” Naranjo said. “But we have heard about some of those from others who are their “friends” on those accounts.”

For details, visit www.gilroyclovechallenge.com.