Silicon Valley Realtors Charitable Foundation, the charitable arm of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors (SILVAR), recently presented two area education institutions financial support for U.S. veterans seeking higher education. The Realtors presented Palo Alto University and West Valley College each with a check for $10,000 to provide assistance to U.S. veterans through the SILVAR Veterans Scholarship Fund.
The SILVAR Veterans Scholarship Fund is designed to support eligible U.S. veterans residing in the local Realtor group's traditional service area who wish to further their education. Funds for the scholarship fund were raised at the Realtor association's 2015 "Realtors Honor Veterans" event from donations made by members and friends of the association, including a generous grant from the Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
Silicon Valley Realtors Charitable Foundation president Eileen Giorgi thanked members for their generosity and the respective educational institutions for assisting the country's veterans. "Thank you for your commitment to help our veterans achieve their goals. The SILVAR Veterans Scholarship Fund is our way of supporting our veterans, to thank them for their brave and invaluable service to our country, and to help them be successful," said Giorgi.
Karen Trolan, the local trade association's 2016 president, also thanked members for their generosity. "Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country. We are thrilled to be able to make a difference in these veterans' lives through their schooling. The money they receive from the GI Bill is only good for three years of school and not enough to afford a four-year college education. Cost of tuition, books and other supplies are high and these scholarships help our veterans get started with a good education."
At each separate event, officials representing both schools thanked the Realtors for their generous donations. In Los Gatos, after giving a presentation about the college and its programs, including its Veterans Resource Center, West Valley College president Bradley Davis told Realtors the community college is regarded highly for its concern for veterans.
"We help them acculturate when they return and help them take the next step in the job market," said Davis.
Davis indicated West Valley College has a dedicated space carved out for veterans in its Veterans Resource Center, which provides counseling and other veterans support services and resources, and serves as a relaxation area for veterans. Davis said the center is a place veterans can gather, socialize and form relationships with other veterans.
Among the many services offered to veterans at the center are computers, iPad, and textbooks for their use, free printing, library programs, LiveScribe, tutoring, large screen TV, video games, bus passes, veteran outreach peer mentors, weekly Employment Development Department (EDD) job services and monthly Palo Alto VA Medical visits.
Davis said the Realtor grant will go a long way toward assisting veterans with tuition, books and supplies for their studies.
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your donation will help our veterans tremendously," said Davis.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.