Newark Man to be Honored by Assemblymember Wieckowski

Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) will speak on the 2013-2014 legislative session and honor 10 local organizations and individuals who are making a difference in their communities at his State of the 25th Assembly District Address and Awards Ceremony, from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 25 at SanDisk, 951 SanDisk Drive in Milpitas. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the public is welcome. Residents can RSVP to reserve a seat by calling 510-440-9030.

“We have just ended a very successful legislative session and I look forward to speaking on some of these important accomplishments,” Wieckowski said. “I will also be showcasing some of the great work that is being done on a wide assortment of issues in our district by volunteers, businesses and non-profit organizations.”

The awardees are:

· Distinguished Service Award – Sen. Ellen Corbett – Corbett serves as the state Senate Majority Leader, only the second woman to serve in that capacity. During her 14 years in the state Legislature, she has had over 160 bills signed into law. The Consumer Federation of California recognized her as a Distinguished Consumer Champion.

· Community Partner of the Year – Asian Americans for Community Involvement – AACI is a multi-service agency focusing on API communities in Santa Clara County. Its services include health education, mental health, substance abuse treatment, HIV/AIDS prevention, shelter for domestic violence victims and after-school youth programs. It serves more than 8,000 clients each year.

· Non-Profit of the Year – Santa Clara Library Foundation and Friends – The Foundation was instrumental in the opening of the new Northside Library in Santa Clara. Through a series of lively fundraisers, it has raised donations for wellness talks, teen programs, author discussions, summer reading programs and a cutting-edge collection of materials.

· Unity Award – Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN) – SIREN began in 1987 as a coalition of immigrant rights activists and advocates and has now evolved into areas of policy analysis, community education, citizenship application assistance and community and service provider trainings. It enables new immigrants to become contributing members of our society.

· Business of the Year – InnoSpring - This Santa Clara-based US-China technology startup accelerator assists globally-minded companies in expanding business opportunities on both sides of the Pacific. It provides funding, mentor and advisory services, workshops, in-house resources, such as accounting, human resources and paralegal work, and access to extensive venture capital.

· Milpitas Hero – CJ Ericson – Ericson works behind the scenes at the Milpitas Chamber of Commerce to make sure Chamber events are organized and running smoothly. She has played a key role in organizing trade shows, business forums, business after-hour mixers, crab feeds and golf tournaments. She has helped the Chamber forge and maintain partnerships with all sectors of the Milpitas community.

· Fremont Hero – Shelley Bartley – Bartley, a retired elementary school teacher, volunteers on behalf of some of Fremont’s most vulnerable residents – the elderly, the homeless and the hungry. She has bought needed supplies, collected funds and gifts and hosted wrapping events to serve those in need. She has been active with the Hillside Care Center, Abode Homeless Shelter, Safe Alternatives To Violent Environments and the Centerville Free Dining Room.

· San Jose Hero – Gini Mitchum – Mitchum is a full-time volunteer at the National Alliance on Mental Illness – Santa Clara County. She teaches classes on how to assist a family member with a mental illness and has served for four years as co-chair and treasurer of the San Francisco Bay Area NAMI Walk. Her efforts help pull mental illness out of the shadows.

· Santa Clara Hero – Kathy Watanabe – Watanabe has demonstrated her passion for improving the quality of life in Santa Clara since moving to the city in 2005. She is a board member on the Santa Clara Library Foundation and Friends, serves as a trustee for the City of Santa Clara Library, and as president of the city’s Sister City Association. She is also a member of the Circle of Pillars and a Mission City Community Fund board member.

· Newark Hero – James Zulawski – Zulawski is described by staff at the Viola Blythe Center in Newark as a star volunteer. He coordinates weekly donation pick-ups from homes, grocery stores and retailers. He plays a vital role in the center’s annual fireworks booth fundraiser and helps in the preparations of its children’s Christmas Party that provides toys to more than 300 children each year.

For this year’s event, Assemblymember Wieckowski is teaming with K to College and attendees are encouraged to bring some school supplies for needy students in the district.

The 25th Assembly District includes San Jose, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Fremont and Newark.

—Information submitted by the Office of Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski

Photo via Shutterstock.