Around Town … with Robert Airoldi: Lions Club’s 2020 corn feed will benefit financially-struggling families

Anyone may submit a nomination for a Gavilan Community Spirit Award.

Photo courtesy Lions Club Volunteer Jeff Hart, left, and Lions Club board member Chris Jacobs, right, prepare corn.

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

The Lions Club of Gilroy is inviting residents to enjoy a special dinner and raise funds at its 2020 CornFeed later this month. The nonprofit group will prepare at least 50 family meals in a safe drive-thru style method. Money raised will go to help those in the community who are going through financial challenges because of COVID-19. The annual event started 61 years ago and despite the coronavirus challenges continues going strong.

“The Gilroy Lions strive to assist the local community with vision needs,” said board secretary Dean Raymond. “Our motto is ‘We Serve,’ and we want to serve the Gilroy community especially during these challenging times.” 

The fundraising event will be held 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at Gilroy First Baptist Church, 8455 Wren Ave. A meal ticket for a family of four is $50 and consists of tri-tip, chili beans, corn, salad, and garlic bread. Each ticket includes a drawing to win fabulous prizes from local restaurants and wineries, including OD’s gift certificates and a double magnum Cab from Solis Winery.

Can’t make it to the CornFeed? You’ll have other chances to help out. The club will raise funds with an Omelet and Pancake Supper in December. It also accepts general donations from the public. 

To get your 2020 CornFeed ticket call (408) 500-8626.

If you’re a young person between the ages of 13 and 19 and are seeking leadership experience that will help you grow as a citizen, consider applying to serve a two-year term on the Gilroy Youth Commission. Six openings are available with terms ending Sept. 30, 2022. Participants on the 11 member board are responsible for providing the city council and city staff with insight regarding youth and teen issues.

Members of the Youth Commission experience a unique opportunity to work with city leaders to implement policies, create events, and develop special programs that will positively influence the youth and other members of the Gilroy community. Due to shelter-in-place restrictions, meetings will be held over Zoom this fall.

Applications are due by 5 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 8 and may be submitted by mail to Gilroy City Clerk’s Office, 7351 Rosanna St., Gilroy, CA 95020 or by email to [email protected] or [email protected]. Interviews are scheduled for 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 14.

It’s time to recognize local individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations with the annual  Gavilan College Community Spirit Awards. Each year, three sets of awards are presented, for the communities of Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and San Benito County.

Anyone may submit a nomination for a community spirit award. Candidates must reside, work, or do business in the community for which they are being nominated. A committee representing Gavilan College staff, students, and faculty will review the nominations and make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees for one business, one organization, and one individual from each of the major communities in the college district.

Nominations will be evaluated based upon duration of service to the community, impact of the nominee on the community,  scope of the impact, if the nominee was a volunteer, and evidence of “community spirit.”  The nomination period closes Sept. 1 and the recipients list will be presented to the Gavilan board of trustees at the Sept. 8 meeting. Because of COVID-19, the various awards for each three communities will be presented in “virtual ceremonies” in October and November.

The awards were created in 1999 to highlight all the good work done in the community college’s district. The 2020 Spirit Award committee members are Jan Bernstein Chargin, Linda Bernabe, Stacey Porteur, Judy Rodriguez, Ryan Shook, and Jennifer Tomasello.

Visit www.gavilan.edu/news/announcement/Community%20Spirt%20Awards%20Past%20Winners.php to see who the past awards went to. I can’t wait to find out who all the 2020 recipients are.

The South Valley’s regional courthouse in Morgan Hill was closed in mid-March due to the shelter-in-place orders implemented during the COVID-19 public health crisis. It will remain closed until further notice to cut costs. The new plan goes into effect Aug. 17, as a result of $16 million in budget cuts by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Cases originally scheduled in Morgan Hill will be moved to San Jose at the Hall of Justice on West Hedding Street.