December 15, 2005

NEWS BRIEFS

The Family Giving Tree 20,000 toys short on donations to needy children

The Family Giving Tree’s Holiday Program delivered holiday gifts to 55,000 needy children in the Bay Area last year. Unfortunately, this year the program is facing a huge deficit. According to founder Jennifer Cullenbine, it looks like the program could be more than 20,000 gifts short this season.

“Sixteen years ago I started this program as an MBA class project,” said Cullenbine, who calls herself ‘Queen Elf.’ “In all those years, we have never had to worry about not being able to provide gifts for all the families we serve. Unfortunately, like the vast majority of nonprofits, we are feeling a dramatic change in donations due, we believe, to the year of major world catastrophes that have needed so many resources.

“This holiday season there does not seem to be enough resources left in the Bay Area to help the very poor families who need it. Although more than 6,000 volunteers are expected to come help sort gifts during the ten days before Christmas it does not look like there will be nearly enough gifts to sort.”

If you would like to donate gifts to the Family Giving Tree, call (408) 946-3111. Visit the Web site at www.FamilyGivingTree.org for more information about the program.

Applications being accepted for Women in Leadership grants

The San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for Women in Leadership grants. This grant opportunity is for women who are working or interning while attending college or university as a full time student. The grant will be awarded to a woman who has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities in the community and the workplace.

Applicants must be nominated by a Silicon Valley company that is a member of the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce. For more information about Women in Leadership contact Sue Murray at (408) 291-5263 or at suem@sjchamber.com.

Correction

In last week’s Street Talk, Julie Normandin was misquoted. In her answer to the question about the death penalty and Stanley “Tookie,” Williams’ response should have read, “We should make sure that people are truly guilty before even considering putting anyone to death.”