November 2011 - Yolo Community Foundation hosted the fifth annual Yolo County Philanthropy Day Awards on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at the Erwin Meier Administration Building in Woodland. Nine Yolo County nonprofits participated in the celebration.

The Yolo County Philanthropy Day Awards recognize the impact philanthropy has on Yolo County and the role individuals and businesses, which donate their money and time, play in enriching their community.

          The Yolo Community Foundation honored philanthropists and Woodland residents, Kevin and Lorie Haarberg. Not only have they included charitable giving in their estate plan but decided to begin giving in their lifetime. Their giving includes underwriting Woodland Opera House productions for the past 12 years and a generous donation to both the Cancer Center at Woodland Hospital and the Woodland Community Center gymnasium.  Along with their financial giving, Kevin is an active Rotarian, encouraging and supporting others to get involved. Lorie is a passionate advocate for cancer research and patient care, and volunteers regularly at the Emergency Room and cancer center in Woodland. Together they are a terrific team, working together to support the Woodland community with their time, talent and charitable giving. 

Yolo Family Service Agency, providing mental health services to children, families and individuals throughout Yolo County, recognized Julia Sway for donating her time and expertise with updating their website and database, and publishing a newsletter.

Yolo Family Resource Center (YFRC), whose mission is to “Keep Families Strong and Healthy, honored Rogelio Villagrana for his volunteer efforts with the YFRC in support of youth development opportunities. Recently, he was involved with YFRC Family Camp that brought scores of youth, their siblings and parents on overnight excursions to California State Parks. Currently, he is volunteering at Beamer Elementary School, emphasizing a college-going culture through monthly academic workshops for students and parents.

Soroptimist International of Woodland, whose mission is to achieve the “best for women” in every sphere of their lives, recognized Far Western Anthropological Research for their continuous and generous support of Soroptimist’s programs.

Woodland Opera House, Inc. working to preserve and provide a year round calendar of plays, concerts, classes and civic events in the historic 1896 facility, honored long time patron and Endowment contributor, Don Smith.

Antique Tractor and Truck Museum at the Heidrick Ag History Center whose mission is to protect, preserve, educate and provide a visual reminder of about Yolo County’s agricultural roots, honored Gene Muhlenkamp as an outstanding volunteer and a respected volunteer leader.

Freedom from Hunger, whose office is located in Davis and whose programs bring innovative and sustainable self-help solutions to the fight against chronic hunger and poverty in poor rural areas of the developing world, recognized Robert Medearis. Through his commitment of time, talent and resources, he has served as a trustee and community representative to the Davis community and beyond.

Hear! Here!, a local non-profit providing support for the hard of hearing in Yolo County, honored Don LaPlante of the Reveille Lion’s Club for his work in raising funds from Lion’s Clubs throughout Yolo County to expand testing of preschool children for hearing loss in Esparto, Madison and Winters.

The Woodland Literacy Council and Woodland Public Library honored Winters’ resident Bobbie Moriel, who is not only a longtime volunteer tutor but has served as the Literacy Council’s treasurer for over 7 years. The literacy service provides adult learners with both one-on-one and small group instruction by trained volunteer tutors.

Woodland Gymnastic, a nonprofit dedicated to providing quality gymnastics training and activities for youth throughout Yolo County, recognized Sheryl Pedroia for her commitment as a parent advocate and board treasurer for the past 3 years.  

          The Yolo Community Foundation was founded in 2001 by and for the people of Yolo County.  YCF creates a countywide culture of giving by matching philanthropic interests of donors with needs and opportunities in Yolo County. To learn more about the Yolo Community Foundation, visit their website at www.yolocf.org or call 530-312-0593.

Yolo Community Foundation --- Matching the Philanthropic interests of donors with the needs and opportunities of the Yolo County community.