 Dr. Joshua Sickel will be the keynote speaker for CSA’s “Hometown Heroes” breakfast. |
The Community Services Agency (CSA) will honor two local “Hometown Heroes,” Jim Cochran and Debbie Wu, Oct. 21, with a 7:30 a.m. breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Cabana in Palo Alto.
Cochran has had a long career as a public servant: as member and president of the Board of Trustees of the Whisman School District, as member of the city council and mayor of Mountain View, and as board member and president of CSA.
Wu’s long resume of community involvement includes serving as board member and president of CSA, as an art docent and as a fund-raising consultant for many local non-profit organizations.
This year’s recipient of the business award is Cisco Systems.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the company granted each employee 20 hours of paid time off so that he or she could serve the community.
Since 1999, “Hometown Heroes” has been an annual honor accorded to individuals and companies for their philanthropic contributions to the local community.
CSA, the event’s sponsor, is a non-profit, social service provider for Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.
“It truly takes collaboration among residents, government and businesses for Community Services Agency to accomplish its mission,” said Carol Olson, president of the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce and a CSA boardmember. “The Hometown Heroes event recognizes these efforts, and we are inspired by the commitment and hard work of our ‘hometown heroes.’”
Dr. Joshua Sickel, an El Camino Hospital pathologist and well-known amateur standup comedian, will be the keynote speaker.
“Mountain View is pleased to have had Community Services Agency as part of its social fabric for the past 47 years,” said Mountain View Mayor Matt Neely.
“Our citizens are constantly bombarded with stories from around the world of people in need, but Community Services Agency brings this need down to our local community and the reality of our local working poor, the homeless and the elderly. Last year the agency distributed over 500,000 pounds of food to qualified residents of Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.”
Los Altos Mayor David Casas added, “With over 24 percent of the population of Los Altos now over the age of 60, senior services have grown in importance. Los Altos is pleased that Community Services Agency provides regular office hours at the Los Altos Senior Center to assist our seniors through counseling, financial management and medical administration to allow continued independent living.”
Community Services Agency has provided food, one-time emergency financial assistance, senior case management, temporary housing and family services for needy families and children since 1957.
The agency promotes independence and self-sufficiency through programs for the working poor, the unemployed, the homeless, the elderly and disadvantaged families and children.
Individual tickets for the breakfast are $40. Sponsorships begin at $500.
For reservations or information, contact Eileen Caliva at 968-0836, ext. 147, or visit ecaliva@csacares.org.
