Names of Note: Golden Valley aids 53 families at Christmas. Farm Bureau wraps up year
The staff at Golden Valley Health Centers collected toys and clothing for 53 families whose needs go beyond medical care.
The annual pre-Christmas drive took place at all locations for the nonprofit chain. Stanislaus and Merced counties each have several, and another is in Manteca.
The Adopt-A-Family program will help about 225 patients of Golden Valley with basic needs at the holidays. Volunteers will deliver the items starting Monday, Dec. 16.
The staff looks all year for patients who might benefit.
“The family’s situation has touched us,” one nomination form said. “... The grandmother has been a patient for the past 15 years. She has had the responsibility of taking over care for her three grandchildren. She lives on a fixed income and struggles to provide necessities, shelter, food and clothing.”
Farm Bureau plaudits
Farmers in and near Stanislaus County won honors at the annual meeting of the California Farm Bureau Federation, held Dec. 8 to 11 in Monterey:
- Stanislaus received the County of the Year award for units with 800 or more members, the largest of three categories. The judges cited its rebranding efforts, its relations with agricultural and associate members, and other factors.
- San Joaquin won a County Activities of Excellence award for its Healthy Dinner Program, which teaches adults how to cook with local farm products.
- Shaun Crook of the Groveland area was re-elected as second vice president for the statewide group. He is a cattle rancher, timber producer and real estate agent.
- Ron Peterson, former president of the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, will represent it and Tuolumne County on the statewide board.
- Anna Genasci of Oakdale was one of nine graduates of the Leadership Farm Bureau program. She is a Stanislaus board member, editor of its Farm News, and safety and compliance coordinator for Stanislaus Farm Supply.
- Rominger Brothers Farms of Yolo County received the Leopold Conservation Award. Burroughs Family Farms, a diverse organic operation east of Denair, was a finalist. The award is named for the late Aldo Leopold, an early leader of the sustainability movement.
Names of Note recognizes people and organizations for their contribution to their communities. Submit items to jholland@modbee.com.
