The Morgan Hill Community Foundation (MHCF) hosted the 8th Annual Outstanding Philanthropist celebration Saturday evening at the Morgan Hill Community & Cultural Center. The event showcased 23 local volunteers and philanthropists who were nominated by their peers as exemplary contributors to the Morgan Hill community. Themed “Night of the Stars,” this year’s event featured a red-carpeted, paparazzi-style entrance area, complete with a 6-foot Oscar award statue and Oscar-themed decorations. The half dozen photographers serving as our local paparazzi represented the Morgan Hill Photography Club. This year’s master of ceremonies was Jona Denz-Hamilton, a popular radio host on 94.5 FM KBAY.
This year’s honoree list and the groups nominating them were:
-Robert Airoldi, Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce
-Majid Bahriny, Morgan Hill Sister Cities
-Winslow Briggs, Pine Ridge Association
-Sandra Curran, The Learning and Loving Education Center
-John Firth, Child Advocates of Silicon Valley
-Rich Gamboa, Independence Day Celebrations, Freedom Fest
-Janie Knopf, Leadership Morgan Hill
-Marcy Leggett, Centennial Recreation Senior Center
-Margaret McCann, American Association of University Women
-Don Nguyen, Teachers Aid Coalition
-Paula Perez, Youth Action Council
-Peggy Pinarbasi, American Red Cross of Silicon Valley
-Margaret Rodrigues, Morgan Hill Historical Society
-Joy Safakish, Friends of the Morgan Hill Library
-Linda Shimkus, Community Solutions
-Ric Smith, Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center
-South Bay Piping Industry, Morgan Hill Community Foundation
-Jennifer Tate, Leadership Morgan Hill
-Thrivent Financial, One Step Closer Therapeutic Riding
-Arnavaz Wadia, Morgan Hill Library
About the MHCF
The MHCF was formed in December 2002 and has awarded approximately $440,000 to local organizations and projects since its inception. It is affiliated with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, a tax-exempt public charity with assets of approximately $3 billion. The group meets the breadth of community needs through six funding areas: Arts & Culture, Recreation, Education & Livelong Learning, Health & Human Services, Science & Technology, and Environment & Agriculture. It has an annual discretionary grants process that awards grants to local nonprofit organizations and programs, as well as works with donors on an individual basis to assist in philanthropic choices and community investment strategies. For more information, please visit www.morganhillcf.org.
