What an extraordinary day for Class 36 and Leadership Santa Cruz County. Our traditional
Pajaro Valley Day was scheduled to include engagement with Pajaro Dunes, visits to the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency (PVWMA) Water Recycling Plant, Pajaro Valley Arts, the Watsonville Airport, and a Watsonville Wetlands walk. However those plans were canceled due to the storms and flooding in Pajaro.
Ever agile, and thanks to the assistance of LSCC directors Shaz Roth and Richelle Noroyan, we shifted focus by volunteering at Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB) and hearing from representatives of the agencies which we were unable to visit.
The day began with delicious breakfast burritos from D’La Colmena Marketing & Catering in the new community room at SHFB. The class then spent the morning working in the warehouse on a production line filling 50 bags of produce for eventual delivery to families in need.
Lunch was sponsored by Greg Wimp, owner at Togo’s. The class had the opportunity to hear about Togo's and SHFB's efforts to provide food to volunteers and victims in Pajaro. meet Greg Wimp, he really is a true community hero. Richelle Noroyan, Corporate & Community Relations Director at SHFB, also shared the nonprofit's work of providing food around Santa Cruz County.
Marcus Mendiola, Water Conservation & Outreach Specialist of the PVWMA shared some of the challenges and opportunities the Pajaro Valley faces concerning water and the new water project at College Lake.
Mark Strudley, Executive Director of the Pajaro Regional Flood Management shared information about how the Pajaro levee breached and what is in the works to repair the damage.
A great day was had by all and the spirits were high among those who came to volunteer.
Breakfast Sponsor - D'La Colmena
Lunch Sponsor - Togos Watsonville
Facility Sponsor - Second Harvest Food Bank