Non-profit of the Year : Operation Freedom Paws - A top 10 CNN hero and Central Coast Jefferson Award winner , Mary Cortani , established Operation Freedom Paws , ( OFP ), in 2010 to empower veterans and individuals with disabilities by teaching them to train their own dogs for their specific disability . Upon completion of the 48-week training program the participants are then certified as a service dog team — restoring their freedom to live life . Throughout its more than a decade of service OFP has served 439 clients , free of charge , 2195 family members , and rescued 377 dogs . OFP ’ s slogan says it all : Four paws , two feet , one Team .

Educator of the Year : Terri Mikkelsen - Teaching has always been a part of Terri Mikkelsen ’ s DNA , as she comes from a family of educators . She can ’ t recall a moment in her life where she didn ’ t have the desire to teach , which Terri sees as her creative outlet . As much gratification as she receives from her work , the pride she feels for her students supersedes it . Every week Terri scours the Gilroy Dispatch newspaper searching for her current or former students names . She delights in their achievements and is happy to share them with her class . “ It ’ s fun to share the accomplishments of my students during class where we celebrate successes of those who were in the same exact seats as my current class ,” Terri said . “ My classroom scrapbooks celebrate accomplishments like national merit scholars , youth leadership awardees , scholarship recipients , Gilroy Garlic Festival royalty , valedictorians , high school and college athletes , and so much more .”

Educator of the Year : Leadership Gilroy - The tradition of developing leaders in the community began in 1998 with the first Leadership Gilroy class . Since then more than 300 graduates have completed the multi-month Community Leadership Program . The purpose of the program is to develop leadership and team-building skills as well as gain a deeper understanding of the local community . To accomplish this each class receives training in a variety of topics , including : team building , communication , ethics , change management and conflict resolution . The most beneficial aspect of the program is the required class community project , which benefits not only the participants , but the Gilroy community as a whole . Recent projects include Gilroy Clove Days and the Bonanza Day Parade .

Firman B . Voorhies Volunteer of the Year : Maria Cid - Gilroy local Maria Cid has always believed in contributing to her community . “ Be genuine and if you can change or inspire one person ’ s life , then you did your job ,” Maria said . She ’ s certainly achieved her goal in her role as board member for Youth Alliance , a nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of youth and families throughout San Benito and South County . In addition , she is an avid supporter of the Edward Boss Prado Foundation , and Cecilia ’ s Closet and Food Pantry , organizations dedicated to providing food and assistance to South County ’ s challenged youth and families . Her dedication to the arts is evident in her role as board president for the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival and founding board member of downtown Gilroy ’ s recently opened 6th Street Studios & Art Center .

30

GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN SPRING 2021 gmhtoday . com