Gilroy’ s Triple Treat: The Italian Catholic Federation, Branch 28 held their Shrimp and Ravioli Fundraiser Dinner on Saturday, February 28 at Cullen Hall at Saint Mary Parish in Gilroy. Gilroy. The sold-out event included great food, live music, raffles, and fellowship. Gilroy’ s Volunteer of the Year, Ed Sauceda along with Community Champions Vince Saso and Diane Berry joined forces to organize the event. Representing the best of Gilroy, these three are local heroes who model service above self and a deep commitment and love for the community. The event was a huge success.

Debbi Sanchez, Publisher

Some changes for us include the opportunity to spend more time with Mike’ s mom and dad, who both live in Gilroy. These two youngsters are going strong in their early 90s. Another change is our patio garden – now coming into bloom. We think of our patio as our refuge. From early mornings sipping coffee and enjoying quiet time to start our day, to relaxing evenings and outside dinners with friends and family, it is our favorite part of“ Casa Sanchez.”

A welcome change is the warmer temperatures which are helping us get out for morning walks. The winter months were just too cold for fairweather walkers like Mike and me to stay consistent. Now, we’ re getting in three to five miles almost every day. Adding to the fun, Roast Beef, our 2.5-pound teacup Yorkie, is( almost) always ready for a walk. She loves to run wild, take in all the scents and smells, and check her pee mail all along the route. The Little Beefer can handle two to three miles easily. Then she looks to mom for a lift. It’ s a great way to start a day!

More positive changes: my dad got a new phone! Gone are the“ technical challenges” and we are back to talking every day. My parents are both in their 80s( Dad is 89!). They retired and left California six years ago and are living their best life in Arizona. It’ s a pure joy to be able to check in with them daily. Beyond the new phone, it’ s just good to have them close— even from a distance. Last year I was able to visit them often and regularly. I am looking forward to visiting them soon!

One Giving Tree, our nonprofit, is evolving too. We recently held a great board retreat to wrap up last year and begin work on our five-year strategic plan— growth, expansion, and succession are all on the table. Even as I put the final touches on this spring issue, I’ m already thinking about Christmas! We’ re working on our 2026 orders for trees and ornaments, planning our volunteer“ tree days,” and gearing up for our annual summer fundraiser. Grant funding has shifted this year, so we’ re taking a more creative approach— and honestly, that kind of challenge is where we tend to do our best work.

I especially love that Mike and I still have our parents to visit, laugh with, and share advice and good stories with. Life feels busy, but I am never doing it alone. I have Mike right beside me every step of the way. We have incredible support from local business partners, nonprofit sponsors, donors, and volunteers. And then there are the friends and family I get to share life with. That’ s my happy place.

By reminding myself that I am just trying to help move humanity along in some small way, that I love what I do, and by choosing to operate from a place of gratitude( easier said than done!), I find the superpower that moves me forward. I hope you enjoy what you do. And I hope you remember that you have much more inside you than you realize. Find your superpower and you will always find a way to push forward. We can accomplish anything we intentionally set out to do.

It’ s Springtime— a time of change, growth, and renewal. What are you doing in this season of change?

Let’ s go make history … together.