Morgan Hill Community Foundation’s Philanthropy Night is a big hit

It was a fabulous night Nov. 15 as the Morgan Hill Community Foundation put on its 19th annual Philanthropy Night honoring the groups and individuals who have gone above and beyond in their dedication and support of local nonprofit organizations in Morgan Hill and San Martin.

Emcee Jona Denz-Hamilton smoothly guided the 250 or so guests through the quick-paved evening. The videos of the nominators and honorees were heartfelt, honest and at times funny.

“MHCF’s Philanthropy Night is geared toward recognizing the good work of local volunteers and philanthropists who embody the ‘give where you live’ spirit,” said board member Mario Banuelos.

The MHCF is a philanthropic organization supporting the local Morgan Hill community. They raise money to support local nonprofit organizations, provide grants to local schools, and act as a 501c3 partner organization to help new nonprofits grow.

Below is a list of the nominating organization and the honoree:

American Association of University Women Morgan Hill Branch: Marian Socco

Child Advocates of Silicon Valley: Kathi Roster

City of Morgan Hill: Tricia, Nicholas, and Sean Parent

Community Law Enforcement Foundation: Amy Martinez

Edward Boss Prado Foundation: Maria Cid

Leadership Morgan Hill: Harpreet Vittal

Martha’s Kitchen: St. Catherine’s Catholic Church

Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce: Mark Fenichel and Leonette Stafford

Morgan Hill Community Foundation: Marty Cheek, Mike Cox and Rich Firato

Morgan Hill Freedom Fest: Hal Hendrickson

Morgan Hill Mushroom Festival: Ron Woolf

Philanthropic Educational Organization: Edward Boss Prado Foundation

Poppy Jasper International Film Festival: Diane Scariot

Rebekah Children’s Services: Heritage Bank of Commerce

San Martin Neighborhood Association: Stephen McHenry and Martin Groen

Sister Cities of Morgan Hill: Pier and Mami Antoniucci

South Santa Clara County Firefighter’s Association: Brandon Winter

Congratulations to all!

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We got word from Morgan Hill Police Sgt. John Kuhlen that MHPD received an $87,000 grant from the Office of Traffic Safety for traffic enforcement program to increase safety on roads. This grant will go to support the department’s ongoing enforcement and education programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on our roads. The grant program runs through September 2025.

“We are grateful to receive this grant, which will strengthen our traffic enforcement efforts and improve road safety,” Morgan Hill Chief of Police Shane Palsgrove said. “By increasing enforcement of traffic laws and focusing on high-risk areas, we aim to reduce dangerous driving behaviors, prevent crashes, and make our roads safer for everyone.”

“Nice shoes,” said an onlooker, observing a student fastening a pair of homemade cardboard heels across another student’s ankles. The pair then strutted confidently over to join their eighth grade classmates and prepared to “walk the runway.”

The “runway” was actually a concrete breezeway near the school’s upper campus entrance, where Mount Madonna School eighth grade students were gathered to test the sturdiness and functionality of cardboard shoes they’d designed, engineered and constructed as part of their Technology, Engineering and Art class curriculum.

“The cardboard shoe project gives students experience designing from both engineering and artistic perspectives,” said teacher John Welch. “The students are asked to make shoes that are both functional and aesthetic, using only cardboard, glue, tape and string.”

Most of the shoes in this year’s collection held up to the 50-yard test walk. Designs included sandals sporting smiley unicorn heads, platform thongs trimmed with artistic waves, a three-shoe “pair” intended for two people to wear together, featuring a single shoe for each, along with a third, “double” shoe to be shared, sandal slides and a pair of two-inch heels with ankle straps.

Looks like we have serious designers in our midst.