December 18, 2003

Almaden Valley Women’s Club announces $45,600 in grants

The Almaden Valley Women’s Club recently announced $45,600 in grants to nonprofit organizations and local schools. The funds come from the proceeds raised at the 27th annual Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival, held in September.

“A large number of grants were again received this year,” says Cindy Coletti, funds disbursement chair. “This increase is due to the sagging economy, budget cutbacks at schools and our growing reputation for philanthropy in the nonprofit community. Applications were evaluated individually and special attention was given to the needs of the community at this time.”

Janice LaVelle, Almaden Valley Women’s Club president, was thrilled with the $10,000 grant for Academic and Service Award Scholarships. “The dedication to academics and volunteerism by our local students is utterly amazing at their young ages. We as an organization are proud to be of assistance to them and their families.”

$26,600 was distributed among the following nonprofit organizations:
- Almaden Valley Women’s Club Academic and Service Award Scholarships to honor local graduating seniors who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and community service throughout high school.
- Almaden Valley Youth Counseling to support insurance needs.
- Assistance League for senior projects and an early eye screening program.
- Center for Living with Dying to support a nine-week healing heart group training and facilitation for families and children.
- Cornerstone Project to send people to National Institute Conference.
- Diabetes Society to send diabetic teens to camp.
- Doris Dillon Fund to support bringing notable children’s authors to the area in conjunction with the Almaden Valley Branch Library.
- Emergency Housing Consortium to help with purchasing an equipment storage shed and the construction of an outdoor stage for events.
- Southern California Fire Victims to support victims of the devastating fires in Southern California in October.
- Forward USA for programs to stop female mutilation.
- Hospice of the Valley to purchase home medical equipment.
- Loaves and Fishes to provide hot meals for children at two facilities.
- National Alliance for the Mentally Ill to support special programs.
- Next Door Solutions to support the training of hotline and other skilled counselors.
- Special Olympics for the Athletics of the Future Program.
- Sunday Friends for program leadership assistance.
$19,000 was distributed among the following local schools:
- Leland High School for a variety of programs, including water polo, grad night, band, baseball and an LCD projector.
- Pioneer High School to support a new Career College Counseling Center and the purchase of dance team mirrors.
- Bret Harte Middle School for technical support and computer upgrades.
- Almaden Country School for storage shed construction.
- Castillero Middle School to help fund counselors to work with educationally at-risk youths.
- Graystone Elementary to support leadership and goal setting assemblies.
- Holy Spirit for an Epson LCD projector.
- Los Alamitos Elementary to support a technology coach for children.
- Simonds Elementary to support a counselor on campus.
- Williams Elementary to support assemblies and goal setting authors.

Save the date! The 28th annual Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival will be held at its new location, Almaden Lake Park, on Sunday, Sept.26, 2004. More details about this exciting event will be available soon.
Since 1965, the Almaden Valley Women’s Club has been committed to serving the needs of the Almaden Valley community and those of greater San Jose.

For more information on the Almaden Valley Women’s Club and the Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival, visit www.almadenartwinefestival.com.