Trees to Read Under has already generated over $ 70,000 in contributions and pledges to support planting 100 shade trees at Gilroy school sites, installing benches with personalized plaques under the trees, and purchasing new library books for all 14 school libraries.
In August 2025, 40 trees were planted at Christopher High School and Gilroy High School with Rotary volunteers, Boy Scouts, and thousands of dollars in labor and material from Rotarian businesses, Alpine Landscaping( Ryan Dinsmore) and Red Roots Landscape Company( Eduardo Banuelos). With an initial grant from Amazon Web Services, 680 books were purchased and delivered to Gilroy schools in July 2025— and by the time this article is published, benches will have been purchased, additional trees planted at other school sites, and another large book purchase for each of the 14 school libraries will have been completed.
According to 2025 / 2026 Gilroy Rotary Club President, Karen Aitken-Bernosky,“ The Rotary Club of Gilroy has history and roots in our community. So many of the youth we have supported with grants and scholarships are now in rewarding professions and leading productive lives. Every element of Trees to Read Under fulfills our commitment to our youth— now and into the future.”
Trees to Read Under will continue its campaign to secure additional funding, and the community is invited to share in a Rotary’ s legacy of supporting youth. Information on Trees to Read Under can be found at www. gilroyrotary. org or by contacting Karen Aitken-Bernosky at Karen4Rotary @ gmail. com, or by sending a check to the Gilroy Rotary Endowment( Trees to Read Under), and mailing to Rotary Club of Gilroy, PO Box 1912, Gilroy, CA 95021. All funds are tax deductible and 100 % of the funding is used exclusively for Trees to Read Under.
gmhtoday. com Gilroy • Morgan Hill TODAY Magazine: Go. Make history... FALL 2025 21