Woodside Day of Giving, May 12, 2018

The Woodside Community Foundation’s Board of Directors was delighted by the response to its first call for Community Grant Projects. The range and depth of great causes was truly impressive, leaving the Board looking for ways to provide more support to all these great projects.

Jill Daly (accepting for Kym Teppo), J. B. Pellegrin and Ann McCormick

The three successful projects chosen for Community Grants of up to $5,000 were:

Equipment for the Wunderlich Public Programs, through the Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks.

J. B. Pellegrin, an eagle scout, who is constructing a new judge’s stand for the Kiely Equestrian Center.

The Methuselah Tree Project, spearheaded by Ann McCormick, which will educate students about the importance of old growth redwood trees.

List of applications in order received:

Cherie Hammer – NCEFT
Support for therapy horse

Kym Teppo – Friends of Huddart & Wunderlich Parks
Enhancement of visitor experience

J.B. Pellegrin (under 18) with sponsor Kathi Dancer – Kiely Equestrian Center
Construction of new judging stand

Amalia Popell – Meals on Wheels
Expansion of meal delivery service to seniors and disabled

Kathi Dancer – Kiely Equestrian Center
Support for Junior Riders program

Gary Stanford – California Theater and Film Arts Collective
Creation of a children’s theater company

Jillian Love
Organize THRIVE Healthy Living Boutique EXPO

Sandy Pugh – Woodside/Portola Valley Rotary Club
Develop a conservation library and programs for K-8 with the Sappraiwan Elephant Sanctuary, Thailand

Ann McCormick
Methuselah Tree Project for children, parents and teachers

Rose Rotandaro – The Village Link
Assistance to the rural community of Golu in Sierra Leone

Emma Dressel (under 18) with sponsor Liz Dressel
Production of community music festival to benefit arts programs in underserved E. Menlo Park and E. Palo Alto schools

Lisa Arone
Scholarship fund to benefit Young Dreamers Network

Bari Halperin
Establish Dog Safety for a Safer, Kinder Community Program

Maggie Mah
Planting and maintenance of California Oak trees on Cañada Rd.

How the winners were chosen:

A committee of eight community members had the challenging task of winnowing down the applicant pool to eight projects to recommend to the Woodside Community Board of Directors. The WCF Board was then left with the impossible responsibility of choosing the three final projects to receive this year’s grant money.

Representing the Community Grant Judging Committee:
Michelle Ahlstrom, Meredith Cranston, Cindy Goldberg, Thalia Lubin, Jonathan MacSwain, Heather McLeod Grant, Stevan Patrick and Karie Thomson.

Representing the Woodside Community Foundation Board of Directors:
Ellen Ablow, Marsha BonDurant, Rick DeBenedetti, Elizabeth Dressel, Rob Flint, Noel Perry, and Jim Milton.