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NEWSLETTER: December 2017
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.
Ways you can help include corporate matching. Double your contribution if you work for one of the many generous companies in Silicon Valley that offer a matching gift program!
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.
Donor-Advised Gifts
Contributing directly from your donor-advised fund to GRPC is easy. Click here to give through DAF Direct.
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
Stop by our office or click here to pull a tag from our holiday tree (critter care, education and stewardship program supplies). You can also explore our critter care wish list on Amazon.
Super Guadalupe River Run 
Kick off Super Bowl Sunday with the annual Super Guadalupe River Run (10K/5K/Kids' Fun Run) at 9 AM on Sunday, February 4th.
Register today! Early-bird rates expire December 31st.
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 second in our series of collectors’ shirts (graphic above)! Proceeds benefit our education and stewardship efforts.
Click here to register.
BEEs in the Park
We are thrilled to receive funding from FIRST 5 Santa Clara County for our Beginning Environmental Explorers (BEE) program. BEE offers an early introduction into environmental science. Designed for children age 2-5 years old, this FREE program is taught by Guadalupe River Park Conservancy environmental educators. Topics include rivers, frogs, birds, and more! Classes are held from 11 AM to 12 PM every Wednesday (English) and Friday (Spanish) in the Rotary PlayGarden Amphitheater; rain or shine -- no sign-up necessary!
Follow the PlayGarden on Facebook for details.
Volunteer Corner
Intel employees joined us to plant California Poppies and spruce up the Hedding St. frontage. We look forward to a colorful showing in the spring!
A hearty thanks to all the volunteer groups that toiled to make GRPG a more beautiful place this past October:
ARM
California San Jose LDS Missionaries
Ernst & Young
Friends of Children with Special Needs
Hope Services
Independence High School Key Club
Milpitas High School Key Club
Mission Bay
Morgan Autism Center
Piedmont Hills High School Key Club
Samsung
Silver Creek High School Key Club
South Bay Heritage Rose Group
Westmont High School, CSF
Yerba Buena High School
And that is only the groups! We also appreciate the scores of individuals who come out weekly to make a difference. We logged more than 3,404 volunteer hours in October.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
- Heritage Rose Garden Workdays
Weds. and Sats. 8:30-11:30 am. More info.
- Historic Orchard Workday
Sat. Jan. 6th, 8:30-11:30 am. Sign up.
- Christmas Bird Count
Sun. Dec. 17th, 8:00 am-12:00 pm. Sign up.
- Education Program Intern - Ongoing
We are looking for positive, go-getters who enjoy the outdoors and are passionate about education for a program support role. We would also love to have someone who is computer savvy, creative, and detail-oriented. E-mail us for more information.
- Rotary PlayGarden Support - Ongoing
Attendant Assistant and gardening support opportunities. E-mail Ricky for more information.
- Front Office Receptionist - Ongoing
Shifts available Wednesday afternoons, Thursday mornings or afternoons, and Friday mornings. E-mail Ricky for more information.
Meet Volunteers: Marianne, David, and Scott
 Marianne, David, and Scott are our lead Heritage Rose Garden volunteers. Marianne has volunteered in the garden since 1998, David since 2002, and Scott since 2004. Between the three of them, they have donated over 15,000 hours of volunteer service over the past 20 years. The Heritage Rose Garden would not be what it is today without them. Thanks for all you do for the garden! |
