Shawn’s church introduced them
when Shawn was 18 and Brenda was
17. They are six months apart in age,
dated six years before getting married
and have been married for 28 years.
Brenda is a retired Pediatric ICU
Nurse (worked at Valley Medical)
who spends her days volunteering
and working with organizations like
St. Joseph’s Family Center — hosting
their Day of the Ridge fundraiser, now
in its third year. Over the years she
has worked with St. Mary School in
Gilroy (when the kids attended) and
is currently on the board of the Valle
Monte League. She speaks highly of
St. Joseph’s Family Executive Director,
David Cox and thanks him for being
helpful when she was a Girl Scout
Leader (she served 10 years in that
capacity).
So, when her friend, Vicki
Goicovich who runs the toy drive and
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner asked if she
and Shawn would be open to donat-
ing their home for a fundraising party,
they said yes. Shawn, who loves a
good party, had always wanted to do a
Day on the Green type of event, ergo,
a Day on the Ridge. So with Brenda’s
organizational skills and Shawn’s love
of music and a good show, one of
Gilroy’s most successful fundraisers
was born. Over 700 people attended
this year’s event. Larry and I attended
as sponsors and were totally blown
away with the professionalism and
over the top, couldn’t believe we were
in Gilroy, feelings we experienced.
Starship headlined, following other
amazing bands; people splashed in the
pool; and attendees enjoyed gourmet
food served by West Side Grill and
The Milias Restaurant. We can hardly
wait for May 26, 2019 and the third
annual Day on the Ridge event.
56
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018
gmhtoday.com