It’s only six months old, but the San Martin Chamber of Commerce already has begun putting its footprint on the local community, with a Sept. 30 family fun day in the park that seconded as a canned food drive for Cecilia’s Closet.
“I’m really happy with some of the things we’re accomplishing already in our community,” said Connie Ludewig, a director with the San Martin chamber who helped organize the event at the Lion’s Club Community Park.
The 1960s-themed food drive with the cover band The Iconics also included deputies and vehicles from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, Cal Fire officials and engines, as well as the Lions Club’s mobile health screening unit that allowed for vision, hearing and diabetes screenings.
The Saturday event generated more than a barrel full of canned foods that will be donated to Cecilia’s Closet on Oct. 10. San Martin automotive shop Copart donated a couple cases of food as well, according to Ludewig. About 60 residents attended the event.
“It was really nice that businesses as well as local residents are involved in the community again,” Ludewig said. “San Martin has gone through a lot of changes the last few year with some people moving out of the area and some new people moving in.”
The newly formed chamber, which had its kickoff event Sept. 12 at Clos LaChance Winery in San Martin, worked to get new signage on U.S. 101 near the California Highway Patrol Station.
“We want them to know San Martin is here,” said Ludewig, who also plans to reach out to the Gilroy and Morgan Hill chambers for partnerships. “We’re trying to build a sense of unity and we want to the community interacting together.”
The local business community has already responded with San Martin Cafe and South Valley Internet as charter members of the chamber. Other local businesses that helped with the fun day were Pineapple Rods and Kustoms and D.R. Domenichini Construction, according to Ludewig.
“It was well attended from the community,” said Ludewig, whose hopes for the chamber are to continue “paying it forward to the community.”
For additonal information, visit sanmartinchamber.org.
