Former businessman has been an active community member

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

Danny Mitchell

The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Board of Directors selected Danny Mitchell as the new President/CEO of the organization. An experienced business leader and former chairman of the board for the organization, Mitchell will succeed outgoing Interim President/CEO Jane Howard.  She will remain with the organization, serving as the part time economic development manager.

Mitchell assumed his new responsibilities Aug. 6. He is a long-time resident. He retired after 25 years as the managing partner of Heinzen Manufacturing, Inc.

He has been an active community member, serving committees including the city of Gilroy General Plan Advisory Committee, Gilroy Economic Development Corporation and a member for six years on the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

Mitchell graduated from Gilroy High School, Gavilan College and San Jose State with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting.

Manny Bhandal, chairman of the board for the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce said the board of directors is delighted he has accepted the position and looks forward to the leadership and experience he will bring to the organization.

“He is the perfect fit as the organization launches new services and programs for the chamber membership,” Bhandal said.

A new state law now in its second year aiming to distribute surplus food appears to be working. Santa Clara County food businesses and institutions donated nearly 14 million pounds of surplus food in 2023, the second year under a new state law aimed at increasing food access and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This massive effort was undertaken by a network of more than 65 food recovery organizations, who collected food from local businesses and distributed it to people in need, with help from community groups, faith-based organizations, senior-living and affordable-housing sites, and others.

The amount of food donated in 2023 under the law, SB 1383, increased 20 percent from the previous year, as businesses expanded their programs to more fully comply with the law.

“This program continues to be a win-win to address immediate food insecurity needs and build a long-term climate action plan on food waste,” said Board of Supervisors Vice President Otto Lee.

Decreasing the amount of edible food that is thrown into landfills, where it generates the powerful greenhouse gas methane, also helps the climate. Last year, the collective recovery efforts prevented greenhouse gasses equivalent to more than 18,000 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, the same impact as taking nearly 4,000 passenger cars off the road for a year.

Have you heard of P.E.O.? Did you know they award scholarships? Chapter WJ of Morgan Hill was organized in 1991 and has a long history of funding scholarships for young women from Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy. They recently announced the winners of two $1,000 scholarships for 2024.

Aubrey Archuleta graduated from Christopher High School and will attend Chico State University.  She plans to study psychology with a possible emphasis on criminology.

Alyssa Kelly graduated from Gilroy High School and will attend San Jose State University. She will also study psychology with a possible emphasis on child psychology.

Both of these young women excelled in academics, campus leadership groups and community service. Additionally, Archuleta played varsity soccer and coached youth soccer. Kelly worked at the Sixth Street Art Studio and helped with their art camp.

“P.E.O., a philanthropic educational organization, is proud to help young women as they enter college,” said member Susan Jones. “We also have many programs which benefit women of all ages as they reach for their educational dreams.

Congratulations to both young woman — and good luck with your future endeavors.

Planning a trip out of the country? Make sure you have a current passport. The Gilroy Library  opened an office Aug. 6 to provide Passport Services that will make it more convenient to obtain a new passport or renew an existing passport, with evening and weekend hours available.

To book an appointment, visit the Santa Clara County Library District website. An appointment is required, and a separate appointment is needed for each applicant. Make sure to carefully review the requirements, list of important documents you must bring with you, and the applicable service fees.

You do not need to be a library cardholder to use this service.

The library passport hours are from 1 to 8 p.m. (closed 4 to 5 p.m.) Tuesday and Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed from 1 to 2 p.m.) Thursday, Friday and Saturday.