Around Town … with Robert Airoldi: Chamber of Commerce celebrates 110 years of advocating for businesses

In commemoration of the anniversary, the Gilroy Museum opened a permanent exhibit honoring the Chamber

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 110th anniversary this year, commemorating its founding April 6, 1912. The chamber was founded just weeks after an organizational committee was formed in March of 1912 and a March 23 editorial in the Gilroy Advocate newspaper opined: “It is of vital importance that Gilroy should have a representative body to talk up matters of public importance.”

It didn’t take long for the organizational committee to present its recommendations, because on April 6, 1912, the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce held its first meeting, established bylaws and elected officers of the board of directors.

“The purpose of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce shall be to promote the civic, economic, and social welfare of the people of the city of Gilroy and of the area surrounding of which the city of Gilroy is the trading center,” the members concluded.

Just a few months later, in July, the Chamber embarked on a membership drive and “reorganization” with the stated goal of “building community bigger, busier, and better.” The drive was a big success when 317 members signed up.

That same July, however, the committee went on record, according to the Advocate, as “not favoring admittance of women associative members at this time, it being the opinion of the committee that the Women’s Civic Club is taking care of civic welfare needs and it will be the policy of the chamber to work in close affirmation with that organization.”

Women were later admitted as full members and have now served not only as officers, but as the President/CEO of the Chamber.

In commemoration of the anniversary, the Gilroy Museum, which is operated by the Gilroy Historical Society, opened a permanent exhibit honoring the Chamber and its 110 years and counting.

According to Museum Manager Susan Voss, the exhibit contains an old checkbook, documents, pamphlets and booklets touting the Chamber and an award from the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. The chamber won the award for its tobacco display.

Today, the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce continues its work “to make Gilroy the best place to live, work, and play,” by connecting people, business and customers, representing the business community’s interests, supporting essential community organizations, and promoting all things Gilroy.

Happy birthday, Gilroy Chamber. Best wishes for another 110 years.

Congratulations to the dozens of students who were awarded scholarships by the Gilroy Foundation.

“We were able to award 95 scholarships ranging from $250 to $50,000 for a total of $519,550,” said Donna Pray, Gilroy Foundation executive director.

Christopher High School students received 37 awards totaling $197,550.

Gilroy High School students received 23 awards totaling $134,500.

Gilroy Early College Academy students received 12 awards totaling $105,250.

Mt. Madonna High School students received 14 awards totaling $69,500.

In more scholarship news, the Gilroy Sunrise Rotary Club awards money to support local youth in pursuit of higher education. On June 28 at the club’s annual Gilroy Sunrise Rotary Scholarship Breakfast, President Lisa Blagof and Youth Scholarship Chairperson Mike Nebesnick helped award $15,000 in scholarship monies to Gilroy students graduating from high school to attend traditional and vocational institutions.

This year’s awardees by school:

Gilroy High School: Celeste Chavez, Juanana Delgado Gonzalez, Brianna Sandoval, Gilena Rodriguez Ulloa, Jacqueline Sanchez Lopez, Lidia Villanueva, Viviana Velasco.

Christopher High School: Emily Baumgartner, Isaac Bravo

Gilroy Early College Academy: Lauren Dane

Community members interested in joining the Gilroy Sunrise Rotary Club can contact them on Facebook or join them the first Thursday of each month at 7 a.m. at Old City Hall Restaurant.

As part of the Valley Water South County Recycled Water Pipeline Project, the Luchessa Bridge will be temporarily closed to all through traffic between Thomas Road and Church Street. This closure started July 13, 2022, and will be in place through mid-August.

Detours will be in place. Please plan extra time in your schedule to accommodate the detour route.

Emergency vehicles will have bridge access at all times.

The walking trail at West Luchessa Avenue may have potential intermittent closures during construction. Detour signs will be placed to direct and inform the public should a temporary trail closure be required.

For more information about the closure or project details, please contact Valley Water Public Information Representative Jose Villarreal at (408) 630-2879 or [email protected].