volunteer of the year
2020
MORGAN HILL
celebrate awards
Morgan Hill
KIWANIS
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Written By Robin Shepherd
organ Hill’s Kiwanis Club
was established in 1952
by founding members
including Ernie Rusconi
and Paul Yokoi. The all-volunteer orga-
nization is 53 members strong and
growing—a welcoming group of folks
from all walks of life.
Kiwanis Clubs work to fight hunger,
improve literacy and offer guidance in
their serving children worldwide. Its
clubs empower volunteers of all ages,
from K-Kids to Key Club to Kiwanis.
According to club President Craig
Kennedy, year ‘round community ser-
vice combines with fundraising for the
Turnaround Scholarship program, which
supports youth overcoming significant
challenges to achieve positive academic
outcomes. Beneficiaries may be working
students, caregivers for their siblings,
foster youth from broken homes who
lack a support system. For those who
show promise and a desire to continue
their education beyond high school but
need financial support, Kiwanis offers
recurring scholarships.
Feed the Need connects Kiwanis and
Key Club volunteers with Safeway Stores
to greet customers and encourage dona-
tions to help feed the hungry. NBC Bay
Area provides televised coverage of the
annual event.
Last year, club member Tony Eulo led
Kiwanis and Key Club members to join
other volunteers in planting more than
100 trees in Morgan Hill’s Butterfield
Basin.
Kennedy said the club supports
Morgan Hill Community Adult School
with painting and repairs needed at
the school.
Cooking and serving food is a big
part of the community support Kiwanis
delivers, from the Cioppino & Pasta
Feast fundraiser to the Seniors’ Breakfast
at the Morgan Hill Senior Center and
the Celebration BBQ for Central High
School. According to Sara Nicolson,
“Grilling hot dogs is one of our super-
powers!”
For over 20 years, Kiwanis has been
a driving force behind Morgan Hill’s
Holiday Lights Parade. It involves com-
plex logistics to support dozens of
entrants while working closely with city
staff, police and residents to ensure a
smooth-running parade that’s enjoyed
by all.
Kiwanis is a continuing supporter of
the Robotics Clubs at Britton and Live
Oak, which are led by advisor Frank
Orlando. Kiwanis funds close to 100
percent of this program. Last year, stu-
dents participated in competition at the
national level.
The club is also a sponsor for boys’
and girls’ Pony League baseball, the
Spirit of Morgan Hill girls’ baseball, and
the annual Special Games held at West
Valley College.
Kennedy described the Special
Games as “a wonderful athletic event
for the profoundly disabled. Last year
1,000 K-12 students participated. Our
volunteers turn out in force to run one
of the day’s events. It is an awe-inspiring
experience for all of us.”
Club members have “adopted” PA
Walsh Elementary to donate classroom
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
SPRING 2020
supplies for its teachers. Every year they
join communitywide efforts spearhead-
ed by Kiwanis member Cecelia Ponzini
and the Edward Boss Prado Foundation
to provide back-to-school supplies for
student families in the Morgan Hill
Unified School District.
To support community literacy,
Kiwanians volunteer to read with stu-
dents during Read Across America,
and at the El Toro Youth Center. Back
in his high school days, El Toro’s
Director Albon Diaz was a Turnaround
Scholarship recipient and is a proponent
of Kiwanis Club efforts today.
As Sara Nicolson sees it: “We enjoy
serving because we enjoy each other’s
company. There’s nothing forced about
our club. No point system or mandatory
volunteer hour requirements. Everyone
is encouraged to volunteer as they are
able. As a youth, Nicolson was a Key
Club volunteer. “Our children are our
future. Knowing this shapes our mission
and priorities.”
Remembering Ernie Rusconi
June 29, 1922 – December 21, 2019
Ernest (Ernie) Rusconi lived a full life,
contributed greatly to Morgan Hill, and
will be missed by many. The Vermont-
born son of Italian immigrants served in
the US Army Signal Corps during WWII.
He put his Harvard law degree to work
in his role as Morgan Hill’s City Attorney
and for more than four decades as Senior
Partner at Rusconi, Foster and Thomas
in Morgan Hill. An active Kiwanis Club
member, he served as President and Lt.
Governor and received an award for his
55 years of service. Ernie provided law
advice to seniors and underrepresented
members in our community and received
well-deserved recognition as Morgan Hill
Citizen of the Year. He was involved as
a leader and supporter of organizations
including the Boy Scouts of America, the
Council on Aging, Morgan Hill Grange,
the Italian-American Club, and the Morgan
Hill Methodist Church. Ernie and his wife
Kathryn raised a family and loved life in
Morgan Hill where he was known by
many for his cheerful, straightforward and
honest way of being.
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