2023 Highlights

from 2023 President Kathy Tiffany

Dear Friends of Seneca,

With your support, 2023 has been a stellar year for Gabilan Chapter Seneca! So, let’s get to the updates!

In 2023, Seneca worked closely with San Benito County Behavioral Health to expand the availability of mental health services in our community. Their current office on 5thStreet, in downtown Hollister, is now delivering comprehensive behavioral health services to children and families residing in San Benito County. This truly was a collaborative effort; special thanks to  Seneca’s Regional Executive Director, Dawn Henson, the County Behavioral Health Department, the skilled Seneca staff, and our fabulous and hard-working group of volunteers.  

Our most recent wine and food tasting event had a new date and venue--at Swank Farms this past year on August 19th. We were apprehensive about the changes, but you, our community, made it a resounding success! Our 68th, yes, that’s 68th, will be at Swank Farms on August 24, 2024. Look for updates on our website and join us for another afternoon of fabulous food and wine.

With the proceeds of this past year’s wine tasting, we were able to donate $90,000 to Seneca, and additionally, $5,000 to CASA, $5,000 to YMCA, $2,500 to Emmaus House, $1,500 to United San Benito, $1,000 to Sun Street Center and $1,000 to Cooper’s Calling. 

The Gabilan Fund, established through our endowment fund, continues to support outreach to adoptive and foster children through grants. These grants not only include three $1500 scholarships, but they also provide extras for foster kids. Kids have had opportunities for growth by taking martial arts, swimming lessons, and youth camp, to name a few. Since 2019, we’ve granted $37,000 to foster children in our community. Our group partnered with CASA to provide baskets for foster families in May. May is Foster Family Appreciation Month, and we love to gift families with fun-filled baskets.

Lastly, I want to give a huge shout-out to DeRose Winery. They generously donated $50,000 each to three nonprofits: Community Food Bank, BenitoLink, and Seneca! Thank you, Pat, Al, and Tony DeRose, you guys rock!!

This past year, it has been a pleasure to be the president of this dynamic group of women. We could not be as successful in providing services to children in our community without you!

 We thank you,

 Kathy Tiffany