SVBWN News

Together with the Salvation Army, SVBWN members made the holidays brighter for 50 local children

Thanks to the generosity of our members, SVBWN was able to donate over 50 gifts to the Salvation Army at our December meeting in support of the Salvation Army's Angel Gift drive. At SVBWN's November meeting, gift tags were distributed to members willing to purchase a gift for a local child in need from the child's personal "wish list." As of Monday, December 12, three gift tags were still unspoken for and our members rallied!! Not only were we able to fulfill the wishes of the 50 children for whom we had tags, but several of our members purchased and wrapped an extra gift or two in support of the program. Special thanks to all of our members for making our annual Salvation Army project a huge success!

SVBWN awards 4th annual Leadership scholarship
Kim Cruz receives Leadership Salinas Valley Scholarship Award

Kim Cruz, with Merrill Lynch, (left) accepts award from Scholarship committee leader and SVBWN past president Stephanie Knudsen (Allstate Insurance).

SVBWN presented its annual Leadership Salinas Valley scholarship Kim Cruz, with Merrill Lynch, during its October Membership Mixer on Wednesday evening, October 20.

This is the fourth year SVBWN has offered this awesome opportunity. Previous recipients are SVBWN members Lori McDonnal (LSV 2002 participant) and Debi Diaz (LSV 2003 participant) and Danette Roberts (LSV 2004 participant). Additionally, many other SVBWN members are LSV graduates, having taken the initiative to sign up, pay and complete the 20 week course on their own.

Leadership Salinas Valley is a community education program that aims toward the development of personal, business and community leadership skills. In addition to completing a 20-week program, participants work in teams to complete a community leadership project during their class tenure.

SVBWN celebrates its members in style! Membership Mixer at Steinbeck Center was a huge success! The theme was "Glitz & Glamour" and the mood was festive as SVBWN members and their guests gathered at the Steinbeck Center on the evening of October 20 for an event filled with awards, great food and friends. Special thanks to the Mixer Committee members Brigid McGrath Massie, MBA, Carol Kent (Weekenders, USA), Susan Shaw (Susan's Sweet Education), Raedee McAleese-Kahl (Salinas Valley Chamber), Diana Centofanti (Salinas Valley Chamber), Sidney Richardson (Touch Plus Wellness), Danette Roberts (New Kid Marketing), Debi Diaz (Children's Oral Health Program) and *SVBWN's Special Events Director* Yesenia Contreras (Sundance Personnel Solutions). Raffle prizes were graciously donated by:** The Gift Peddler, Spado's Café, Maritine Inn, Old Bath House Restaurant, One Touch Wellness, Hahn, Smith & Hook Winery, Integrity Wellness, Out & About Magazine, Western Stage, New Kid Marketing, Mary Kay Cosmetics (Paula Hendricks), Trader Joes, Professional Kneads, Gino's, Mar Y Sol, My Private Liaison.