Gavilan College Spirit Awards spotlight those who make South Valley better

The awards are presented annually in each of the communities Gav serves

Published in the November 25 – December 8, 2020 issue of Gilroy Life

Staff Report

At their October meeting, the Gavilan College Board of Trustees announced the recipients of the Community Spirit Awards for 2020. Among those who are honored with the award are Gilroy resident Lillian Silva, the Leadership Gilroy Class of 2020, Togo’s Eatery on First Street in Gilroy, and Rocca’s Market in San Martin Business.

The awards are presented annually in each of the communities served by Gavilan College to honor the people and institutions that contribute to improving the quality of life in each community.

Each of the three sets of awards includes an individual, a business, and an organization.

In most years, the awards are presented at breakfast ceremonies in Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and San Benito County. This year, due to COVID-19 concerns, the awards will be presented outdoors in a personal visit to each award-winner from Gavilan College Superintendent / President Dr. Kathleen A. Rose and one or more members of the Gavilan College Board of Trustees.

The award presentations will be captured on video and then posted online for the community to celebrate and enjoy.

• Lillian Silva receives the award under the Gilroy Individual category.

Lillian has been serving the community not only for her employer, Youth Alliance, but also all her clients on a personal level, according to a Gavilan press release.

“She’s assisted in delivering food, helped with rent assistance applications, school support, Internet support and emotional support. She’s been a go to person for all her clients and their families. She gives more than required and never asks for anything in return. She’s an example of kindness, selflessness and change that the world needs at a time like these we are in. She supports at-risk youth with meaningful community activities and takes a real interest in their lives, serving as counselor/mentor/ and support person.”

• Leadership Gilroy Class of 2020 will receive the award under the Gilroy Organization category.

According to the Gavilan press release, this year Leadership Gilroy’s Class of 2020 put together Gilroy cLove Days. “During their three day event they brought together the people of Gilroy, and people in nine other states, to bring awareness of and give back to local nonprofits. They had a socially distanced fitness day and also had a moment of unity and then “rang the bells” to bring togetherness and healing to our community. In a time when there was a huge void due to the cancellation of the Gilroy Garlic Festival and the COVID pandemic, they brought something meaningful to Gilroy and the people that love this town. They set a record within Leadership Gilroy for fundraising, bringing in tens of thousands of dollars for multiple local nonprofits. that they accomplished all of this during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many activities, meetings and classes held remotely is even more impressive.”

• Togo’s receives the award under the Gilroy Business category

Togo’s has supported intercollegiate athletics at Gavilan College as well as other community organizations, including the Miles Brinson Football Camp, Youth Basketball League.

“Since 2015, Togo’s has been the title sponsor of the annual Gavilan College Male and Female Student-Athlete of Year Award.

This program recognizes student-athletes from each of the sports while in season from August to May with monthly recognition.

General Manager Andy Avazin has been generous to the college by providing monthly awards to recipients; providing discounts to the various coaches who have used Togo’s on First Street for their pre/post-game team meals; as well as the Department of Kinesiology and Athletics at various functions.

Togo’s Eatery on First Street has been a long-time member of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce.

• Rocca’s Market receives the award under the Morgan Hill/San Martin Business category.

The press release quotes Robert Airoldi’s Around Town column in a Morgan Hill Life issue in April that described the generosity of local people during the pandemic: “Meanwhile, in San Martin, Rocca’s Market General Manager Dan Keith is helping families with a week’s worth of food.

Keith and Rocca’s are supplying up to six families per day with essential food, including meat, bread, milk and produce, subject to what’s in stock. ‘A lot of people are going through hardships and I just wanted to help take care of people in need,’ Keith said. What began as a personal project has quickly turned into a community coming together, he said. ‘It’s amazing,’ Keith said. ‘I’m so proud to be a part of this community.’”

In the past, Rocca’s market has served as a Donation Station for toy drives, and is known for its local community orientation.

A customer quote on its website, says: “Rocca’s is all about San Martin, it is the best Market in Morgan or Gilroy, prices are the best, but most of all the family is friendly, helpful and takes care of our community. They do special orders of whatever you cannot find. They are like family, I consider them great friends and family. Meat is the best!”

Other recipients of this year’s Gavilan Spirit awards are

• Mike Beasley for the Individual category in Morgan Hill/San Martin

• Second Harvest Food Bank for the Organization category in Morgan Hill/San Martin

• Al Bonturi for the Individual category in San Benito County

• Hollister Community Outreach (Linda and Patrick Lampe) for the Organization category in San Benito County

• Pinnacle Farms for the Business category in San Benito County.