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Gavilan College Spirit
Awards honor local heros
n the closing months of each year, Gavilan College celebrates an
annual tradition with the recognition of members of the community
who make the Gavilan Joint Community College District a wonder-
ful place to live, learn, and grow. In Morgan Hill, the 2017 awards went
to Charles Weston, the Interfaith Clergy Alliance of South County, and
Mama’s Mia’s Restaurant. Gilroy’s 2017 awards honored Gary Walton,
Dreampower Horsemanship, and Young Signs.
About the honorees:
Young Signs – Young Signs has been in business since 1934. If you
look across Gilroy’s landscape, you will see many signs that have been
designed and installed by Young Signs. Owner/Operator Richard Young
is also a member of the Gavilan College ‘family,’ having taught part-time
in the art department for almost 25 years, from 1971 to 1995.
Although he makes his living from Young Signs, he is an artist at heart
who has had his work showcased at the Monterey Museum of Art and
recently his works “Contemporary Art by Richard Young” was on display
at the Gilroy Center for the Arts. He also served on the City of Gilroy’s
Library and Cultural Arts Commission.
Dreampower Horsemanship – DreamPower Horsemanship provides
equine-assisted activities and therapies for children, teens and adults in
the South Bay Area. The organization provides services to more than 700
participants each year, assisted by more than 500 volunteers. DreamPower
now offers 20 unique programs serving a wide variety of South Bay Area
residents from pre-schoolers through elders.
Gary Walton – Gary Walton has been fixing up Downtown Gilroy for
quite some time. He renovated Gilroy’s Old City Hall and built La Aldea
at the corner of 4th and Eigleberry Streets. He has served on the Gilroy
Downtown Business Association for over 10 years and currently serves
as its president. He supported saving the Miller Red Barn and launched
Porchfest (now in its fourth year). He tirelessly works to improve all of
Gilroy, participating on many committees, and attending most community
meetings, workshops, taskforces – you name it.
Mama Mia’s – Majid Bahriny is the proud owner of the Mama Mia's
restaurants in both Gilroy and Morgan Hill. He has earned a reputation for
generosity, having donated food to countless fundraisers and community
causes, for which numerous organizations are very grateful. Mama’s Mia’s
has hosted Gavilan College class on hospitality and events, and also hosts
the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce breakfasts.
Interfaith Clergy Alliance of South County – In 2016, a group
of local clergy from different faiths came together to serve their
community, forming the Interfaith CommUNITY of South County
(ICSC). This lay interfaith group held the Interfaith Community Walk
for Peace & Prayer Vigil last August, lent its support to South County’s
first “Safe Parking” program for homeless families, and is sponsoring
an informative series called “The Faith of Our Neighbors.” ICSC is a
nonprofit committed to creating compassionate communities through
social, service and educational programs
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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018
gmhtoday.com
Charles Weston – Morgan Hill architect Charles Weston has always been
an avid runner. His passion for the sport led him to serve as Freedom
Run Chair for Morgan Hill's Freedom Fest since 2002. The walk/run
event raises money and sponsorships to support the annual Freedom
Fest Celebration, including the Fourth of July Parade and fireworks, and
the Patriotic Sing. Over the years, Charles has grown participation from
206 runners to 885. In 2007 he added a Children’s Run, and in 2015, a
Veterans Run. The Freedom Fest is a nonprofit organization.