Concert raises money for St. Joseph’s Family Center — $101,526 this year!

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

While publisher Marty Cheek attended the Mushroom Festival on Memorial Day weekend that raises scholarship money, I had a wonderful time at the 6th Annual Day on the Ridge in Gilroy with friends and about 1,000 others. The bands were entertaining, the Gourmet Alley food was fantastic, and as always the venue was set up perfectly by homeowners Shawn and Brenda Chizanskos, founders of the event. It raises money for St. Joseph’s Family Center — $101,526 this year!

“Shawn and I would like to thank everyone for supporting SJFC and attending this epic community event, Day on the Ridge!” said Brenda.

Brenda and Shawn, that’s two in a row for me —and I’m looking forward to next year’s party.

Speaking of concerts that raise money for good causes, Kiera Gallagher’s Concert for a Cause that raised money for charity:water, an organization that builds wells worldwide, was also a success. She told us she surpassed her initial goal of $10,000 by raising $11,195.

“This means that, because of donations, 280 people will now have a lifetime supply of clean drinking water,” she said.

The country concert was a fantastic event, featuring the talents of local singer JT Sheets and Nashville recording artist Buck Ford.

“The atmosphere was so much fun, filled with lots of conga lines and line dancing,” she added. To read more about her story or make a donation, visit www.charitywater.org/kiera-gallagher/a-concert-for-a-cause. All funds will be sent to the project June 30.

We got word from Paradise Valley Engineering Academy parent Anahita Yazdi that the school’s science and engineering fair was a success.

Ethan and Joshua Bennet, third and fourth graders, impressed everyone with their coding and robotics skills. They proudly presented a programmable Lego rover that they created in their engineering elective. Ashkon Zargar made a video displaying his experiment with plants. Another classmate, Mathilda Aloi, said she is “super proud of her grass because her cat loves it.”

Lastly, another kinder student, Charlie Faber, said she “really enjoyed” the catapults from the big kids (4th & 5th graders tech challenge demonstration in the yard).

“Overall, the event served as a successful pilot, fostering collaboration among students and encouraging critical thinking,” Yazdi said. “Students used scientific and engineering methodologies to solve problems and test hypotheses. And everyone is looking forward to even more projects next year!”

Congratulations to all the little Albert Einsteins!

What started in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, has quietly become a great tradition in Morgan Hill. When graduations were canceled, the Morgan Hill Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club partnered to create banners with pictures all seniors graduating from Morgan Hill high schools. They spent a day attaching them to poles located throughout downtown.

One of the great things to see is students wandering through downtown looking for their photo. It’s a great tradition thanks to the two clubs and let’s hope it continues.

The Morgan Hill and Gilroy libraries again this summer will host the free meal program. Children through the age of 18 can enjoy these nutritious meals Monday through Friday. No registration is necessary and meals are available from noon to 1 p.m. at both locations while supplies last. Following lunch, patrons are invited to stay for enrichment programming, such as arts & crafts, games and special presentations. Of course, children are also welcome to check out materials with their library card.