Jan 29, 2004

Diocese names Sobrato family “Donor of the Year 2004”

Bishop Patrick J. McGrath presented the “Donor of the Year Award” to the John and Sue Sobrato Family on Wednesday for their support of scholarship funds in Catholic Schools. They were honored at the second annual Benefit Dinner for the Diocesan School Scholarship Endowment Fund at the Fairmont Hotel sponsored by the Department of Education.

The benefit dinner is the major diocesan event held during Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 26-30, and is an annual national celebration of Catholic education. This year’s theme is “A Faith-Filled Future,” and 36 diocesan elementary and secondary schools participated in planned activities to build community awareness of, and involvement in, the Catholic schools in the diocese. Five hundred pastors, principals, parents, and community leaders attended the event to acknowledge the vital contributions of Catholic elementary and secondary schools, and to honor the Sobrato Family for their generosity in funding scholarships and for their participation in diocesan schools.

The entrepreneurial Sobrato family has three generations of family members that have been involved in contributing money and time to various community causes and organizations. They created the Sobrato Family Foundation in 1996, based on their desire to share their success throughout Silicon Valley, according to Board President Lisa Sobrato. The Foundation invests in strong community-based organizations that promote self-reliance and economic independence.

In addition, as strong supporters of Catholic education, the Sobrato Family has made significant gifts to St. Mary’s Elementary School in Los Gatos, St. Lawrence Martyr Elementary School and St. Lawrence Academy in Sunnyvale, St. Francis High School in Mt. View, and Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose with a focus upon direct tuition aid.

Marian Stuckey, superintendent of education, commented, “The Sobratos are a blessing to the community. Their spiritual and community vision has addressed many needs of those less fortunate than themselves, and they are very deserving of this year’s Donor of the Year Award.”