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NEWSLETTER: December 2016
In this issue:
Feeling generous? We have lots of ways for you to contribute!
End-of-year gifts help us to:
Maintain Rotary PlayGarden as an inclusive, clean, and safe place to play.
Produce excellent events -- Pumpkins in the Park and Super Guadalupe River Run -- that get people into the park and enhance the quality of life in San Jose.
Engage volunteers and advocate for the expansion and upkeep of the downtown trail - the backbone of the city's trail network.
Other ways you can help include corporate matching. You might be able to double your contribution if you work for one of the many generous companies in Silicon Valley that offer a matching gift program!
Stop by our office or click here to pull a tag from our holiday tree (critter care, dip nets, waterproof boots, office supplies).
The Donor Walkway
Looking for a way to pay tribute to someone? Consider a granite paver or park bench in Arena Green. Click here for more information.
Rotary PlayGarden Bench Dedications
For a tax-deductible donation of $5,000 (small bench) or $10,000 (large), the donor’s name or dedication stays on a bench at Rotary PlayGarden for five years. Click here for more information.
Stock Gifts
Did you know that you can donate appreciated stock (held for at least one year) and take a tax deduction for the fair market value of your gift? You avoid paying capital gains taxes, and we don't owe taxes when we sell the donated stocks so 100% of your gift goes to support our education, advocacy and stewardship efforts.
Please let us know if you are interested in making a stock donation. Your broker will need the following information to make the transfer:
Morgan Stanley
DTC# 0015
For credit to Guadalupe River Park Conservancy
Acct # 574-584393
GRPC FEIN 77-0166797
Super Guadalupe River Run
Kick off Super Bowl Sunday with the annual Super Guadalupe River Run at 9 AM on Sunday, February 5th.
Don’t fumble the opportunity to burn some calories. Whether you go long for 6.2 miles or tackle the 3.1 mile quarterback sneak, you’ll earn your game-time guacamole on the Guadalupe. Huddle with family, friends, training partners, neighbors, co-workers to run a 10K or 5K -- cross the goal line to score guilt-free indulgence during the game.
You won’t want to miss the first in our series of collectors’ shirts (graphic above)! Proceeds benefit our education and stewardship efforts.
Click here to register. Early-bird rates expire December 31st!
Rotary Children's Sculpture Walk
Many thanks to San Jose Water Company for sponsoring additional installations to the Rotary Children's Sculpture Walk. The above figures at the Confluence area (along Santa Clara St.) and the ones at the Coleman Ave. overlook were unveiled on November 18th and will be joined by four more next year!
Staff Updates
We are pleased to introduce Mel Sarmento, who joins GRPC as education program associate. A Bay Area native, Mel studied childhood education at SJSU and brings over 13 years of outdoor education experience to our team. She became a certified California Naturalist in 2015 and continues to foster her passion for native California species, including sages, oaks (especially Quercus lobata), owls, and mountain lions. One of her life goals is to connect communities to the natural world, regardless of age or demographic. Please join us in getting to know Mel!
Volunteer Corner
Thanks to community volunteers who joined us in October and November for two of our biggest river cleanups of the year.
A hearty thanks to all the volunteer groups that toiled to make GRPG a more beautiful place this past October:
Boys Team Charity
Brocade Communications
California San Jose Mission
Cisco Systems - Community Relations
Friends of Children with Special Needs
HandsOn Bay Area
Harker Academy
Hope Services
Intel Corporation
IXL
Mission Bay
Morgan Autism Center
National Charity League - Almaden
Santa Clara County Office of Education
SAP
SJSU Financial Management Association
And that is only the groups! We also appreciate the scores of individuals who come out weekly to make a difference.
We logged over 2,475 volunteer hours in October, and with one month to go in 2016, we'll end the year with a record-breaking 18,000+ hours donated to the park.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunties
- Heritage Rose Garden Workdays
Weds. and Sats. 8:30-11:30 am. No workdays on Dec. 24th and 31st. More info.
- Historic Orchard Volunteer Workday
Sat. January 7th, 8:30-11:30 am. Sign up.
- Monthly River Cleanup
Sat. December 17th, 8:30-11:30 am. Sign up.
- Christmas Bird Count
Sun. December 18th, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm. Sign up.
Meet Volunteer Marie Burrmann
 Marie is volunteering with us while recovering from a work injury. She is a key volunteer at the Rotary PlayGarden and in the office. When she is not volunteering with us, you will find Marie playing with her dog or watching her favorite sports team, the San Francisco Giants, a passion she shares with our executive director. Everyone at GRPC would like to give a big thank you and round of applause to Marie for all the wonderful work she does. |
