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NEWSLETTER: May 2014
In this issue:
SV Gives
We will be participating Silicon Valley Gives on Tuesday, May 6th. SV Gives is sponsored by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and is designed to raise money for local nonprofits through a 24-hour online campaign. Several foundations are offering matching bonuses; to double or even triple your gift, please consider making your donation at the top of the hour for the following times:
12:00 AM to 12:59 AM - 2:1 dollar match for all gifts, up to $50,000, sponsored by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.
7:00 AM to 7:59 AM - 1:1 dollar match if you make your gift then, up to $35,000 - sponsored by the Knight Foundation.
12:00 PM to 12:59 PM - 1:1 match up to $50,000 during the lunch hour - sponsored by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation
6:00 PM to 6:59 PM - 1:1 matches from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, up to $50,000 and Leonard C. and Mildred F. Ferguson Foundation, up to $2,500.
7:00 PM to 7:59 PM - 1:1 dollar match, up to $50,000 from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.
To contribute to us, click here.
Look for our Energizer Station on the trail just north of Coleman Ave on Thursday, May 8th, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. We'll be conducting a membership drive that day so you might see us on the way home too.
South San Jose trail users, San Jose Trail Manager Yves Zsutty alerted us to an upcoming Guadalupe Trail detour.
Click here to see a map of the detour.
Window on the River Park
We rely on individuals, corporations, and foundations for operating support for our education, advocacy, and stewardship efforts. Window on the River Park, our donor recognition event, will be held on Thursday, June 5th and is generously hosted by Adobe Systems, Inc. For sponsorship opportunities, click here, or to buy a ticket click here.
Education Grants
Our education program received a $7,540 grant from the Michael Lee Environmental Foundation to fund our Water Wizard Festival. To maximize its educational value, the festival is being moved from May to September and engaging 5th-grade students rather than third graders. The Michael Lee Environmental Foundation has been supporting the Water Wizard Festival since 2009; we greatly appreciate their support!
The Leo M. Shortino Family Foundation granted $20,000 to help underwrite our work with Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley and field trips for students from Title 1 schools. These funds will enable us to serve over 800 students whom might otherwise not be able to participate in a hands-on environmental science program.
National River Cleanup
Join us for a day of environmental stewardship on Saturday, May 17th from 9:00 am to noon as we remove debris from the river channel. We have already collected thousands of pounds of waste from the Guadalupe River this season! We need your help to stay on top of this ongoing effort. Please wear a hat, sunscreen, closed-toe shoes, and bring a refillable water bottle. Click here to sign up.
Homeless encampments are the largest source of trash in the river. Thanks to increased enforcement efforts by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Santa Clara Valley Water District's partnership with the City of San Jose's Park Rangers, there are fewer encampments in the river. Please let Mayor Reed and your councilmember know that you support full restoration of the Park Ranger program.
Rotary Play Garden Update
Construction will begin soon on the PlayGarden. You might notice tree removal signs being posted; rest assured that over 40 new trees will be planted as part of the project.
Volunteer Corner
A hearty thanks to all the volunteer groups that toiled to make GRPG a more beautiful place this past March:
Alpha Phi Omega, Gamma Beta, SJSU
Averroes High School
Branham High School Interact
California San Jose Mission
Cisco Systems - Community Relations
Hammer Montessori School
Independence High School Interact
Irvington Change Project
Mission Bay
Morgan Autism Center
Piedmont Hills High School Interact
University Preparatory Academy
And that is only the groups! We also appreciate the scores of individuals who come out weekly to make a difference.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunties
- Rose Garden Workdays
Weds. and Sats. 8:30-11:30am. More info.
- Evening Rose Deadheading
Tues. May 13, 5-7 pm. Sign up.
Meet Volunteer Liz Malin
 Liz, a native of Louisiana, has found her place here at the Conservancy. A Santa Clara University student, Liz joined our team of interns last fall and continues to share her passion for education and the environment with us. She primarily works with our homeschool students but also contributes to our field trip program when she can. Liz always brings her smile and a willingness to take ownership over her fantastic work. Thank you for your dedication Liz! |
