MH Community Foundation Proud of D.O.G.’s Success
Dear Editor,
The Jan. 20 grand opening of the Morgan Hill off-lease dog park demonstrates the positive effect a small group of dedicated citizens can have on a community.
Several years ago, another small group of dedicated citizens envisioned this impact and set in motion the organizational structure to get it started. The Morgan Hill Dog Owner’s Group is an alliance member of the Morgan Hill Community Foundation. The foundation recognizes that Morgan Hill is fortunate to have small groups of folks dedicated to various causes that enhance the quality of life in Morgan Hill. The foundation further recognizes that these groups come together in the long standing American tradition of neighbor helping neighbor – no paid staff, limited formal structure but lots of dedication and volunteer support to do the task at hand.
It was founded by a set of experienced business leaders who realized that many such groups would benefit from the support of a larger umbrella organization. The foundation was established in 2002 as a 501c3 public charity that focuses in promoting philanthropy in our community and provides operational, donor, investment and compliance support to these dedicated volunteers. Part of its mission is to link people and resources so as to make a positive impact on the lives of those in our community. Today, the foundation has four alliance members in addition to the Morgan Hill Dog Owner’s Group: Morgan Hill Wind Symphony, San Pedro Trails Volunteers, South Valley Athletic Association and the Teachers’ Aid Coalition. The celebration of the city’s 100th birthday put on by the Morgan Hill Centennial Committee was an affiliate project of the foundation.
Kudos to the great volunteer effort that created the off-leash dog park. The foundation is proud of the part it plays in helping our alliance members in their effort to enhance our public spaces, provide classroom supplies for teachers and provide music and support track-and-field events.
More information about the foundation
and our alliance members is available at
www.morganhillcommunityfoundation.org.
Dave Reisenauer
President, Morgan Hill Community Foundation
Happy to Belong to Morgan Hill Kiwanis Club
Dear Editor,
Several years ago I was watching one of my favorite TV programs (Book TV on C-SPAN2) where I heard Robert Putnam, a Harvard sociologist, discussing his book “Bowling Alone.”
He explained that Americans used to be joiners of social groups such as clubs and bowling leagues but that this is no longer the case. In fact social groups and even bowling, which used to be a major pastime, are in decline. Furthermore, Americans don’t even have friends over for dinner like they did in the past.
As I listened I said to myself, “This guy is right … and I have been wrong to look down on these groups!”
I never even read the book, but it made a profound difference in my life. I joined the Morgan Hill Kiwanis Club in which I am still an active member. I have met an interesting assortment of people through Kiwanis – not only Kiwanians, but also other people active in the Morgan Hill community.
My life has been enriched and I would like to urge others to consider getting involved in Kiwanis. Our motto is “Helping the Children of the World.”
Paul Alpert, Morgan Hill
