Supervisor Haggerty Issues Fund-Raising Challenge for Hacienda Helping Hands

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Scott Haggerty, President of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, has challenged Hacienda companies to match his pledge of $10,000 to Hacienda Helping Hands (HHH), the business park's corporate giving program that funds grants to community service organizations.

Haggerty issued his challenge at the "Taste of Summer" barbecue fundraiser, organized by Hyatt Summerfield Suites of Pleasanton and the Tri-Valley Community Foundation (TVCF), which conducts the HHH campaign for the park. "These are difficult times," Haggerty told the crowd at the barbecue. "To have an event to raise funds to make a difference in people's lives shows the compassion of the community."

The Hacienda Helping Hands initiative was launched last October as a way for companies in the business park to give back to the community. "The park's vision for the Hacienda Helping Hands campaign is to create a sustainable charitable funding stream for community projects and for nonprofit organizations doing vital work in our community," observes Hacienda General Manager James Paxson.

A business culture that values community giving has many advantages, Paxson continues. "Employees come to work for companies, and stay with companies, that give back. Customers like doing business with companies that give back. Corporate and government partners respect companies that make community giving part of the way they do business," he explains.

Proceeds from the annual campaign will fund grants to health and human service organizations, educational programs, and cultural projects throughout the Tri-Valley. Grant recipients for the first full year of the program will be announced in the fall. Acknowledged at the barbecue as recipients of Kick-Off grants were: Axis Community Health, Horizon School-Age Parent Program, Open Heart Kitchen, and Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley.

Now, more than ever, the need for such support has intensified, and Haggerty's move drives this point home. "Supervisor Haggerty is challenging Hacienda companies to match - or even double or triple - this additional money," notes TVCF's Chief Strategy Officer Suzanne Lawless. "We're asking Hacienda companies to step up to the plate so we can grow the grant funds available in the fall," she emphasizes.

The Taste of Summer benefit was held on the back lawn of Shaklee Headquarters on May 29. Six cook-off teams-from 1st United Services Credit Union, Becton Healthcare Resources, Faz Restaurants, Hyatt Summerfield Suites, Sallmann, Yang & Alameda, and Suffolk Benefits-fired up their grills in the competition to wow the judges with their versions of ribs and grilled vegetables. Awards were also given for best team look and best team cheer.

Pleasanton's Mayor Jennifer Hosterman, also in attendance at the barbecue, expressed her appreciation to Hacienda Helping Hands and its contributors for their support of community needs.

Contributions to Hacienda Helping Hands can now be made online by visiting HelpingHands.Hacienda.org.

Photo: (top to bottom) 1st United Services Credit Union, the winner of the "Best Overall" Traveling Trophy in the Taste of Summer Corporate BBQ Cook-Off; judges Gina Channell-Allen, President of the Pleasanton Weekly and Anne Hoffman, CEO of Chamberlin Associates sample the BBQ ribs, and Faz Restaurants' entry in the "Team Cheer" category.

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