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Late last year, we launched our annual Holiday Fund charitable campaign for local nonprofits, well aware that we were at the tail end of a year unlike any other and unsure of what to expect when it concluded. Voice readers have been very generous over the years, but 2020 was marked by economic and personal turmoil from the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March.
But fortunately, readers answered our call for donations at a critical time for these nonprofits, raising $82,000 and exceeding the previous year’s total by $10,000. The money will be divided evenly among seven nonprofit beneficiaries: Community Health Awareness Council, Community School of Music & Arts, Day Worker Center of Mountain View, MayView Community Health Center, Mentor Tutor Connection, YWCA of Silicon Valley, and Community Services Agency.
These organizations offer critical programs and support, ranging from emergency housing and food assistance to health care and education services, and they have had to pivot and adapt quickly to coronavirus restrictions to continue their important work. Mentor Tutor Connection, for example launched a new remote tutoring program, while the Community School of Music & Arts quickly moved its in-person art and music classes, lessons, camps and concerts to an online format. And health care providers like MayView Community Health Center, whose clinics were acquired by Ravenswood Family Health Center just as the pandemic was breaking out, had to quickly put in place a swath of new regulations to keep their patients and staff safe, and leverage connections to track down needed personal protective equipment. It has been inspiring to hear how many people have worked tirelessly to meet the needs of Peninsula residents at such a tumultuous time, and to hear stories about how grateful people are to have the help of these nonprofits.
Amid such a dark time, it is uplifting to see the community come together in recognition of a worthy cause like the Holiday Fund. Thank you to our readers for supporting this year’s campaign.
