Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Andy Pavicich III takes a spin around the Live Oak Adult Day Services center with participant Marion Salerno.

Tourney raises $36,000 for programs

Two agencies share donation

By Shari Kaplan

Memories of his late grandparents were very much on the mind of Los Gatos businessman Andy Pavicich III July 15 when he--joined by his siblings--donated $36,000 to two local senior-care organizations. Afterward, the Paviciches stayed for a while and got to know the seniors citizens they were helping.

The money was generated by the fourth annual Celebrity Golf Tournament and Auction, held this spring at La Rinconada Country Club in Los Gatos. This is more than double the proceeds generated in any of the previous tournaments. The Live Oak Adult Day Services and Live Oak Senior Nutrition and Service Center, both nonprofit organizations, each received a check for $18,000.

Pavicich, co-owner of the Los Gatos Brewing Company, initiated the tourney four years ago in memory of his grandmother Rose Pavicich and in honor of his grandfather Andrew Pavicich Sr. His grandfather has since passed away.

Growing up with a strong emphasis on family togetherness, love, respect and care, Pavicich says, helped him decide on the two Live Oak groups as the tournament benefactors.

"My grandparents were always fortunate enough to have people to take care of them, but some of these seniors don't. In these organizations, there are seniors who may not have families of their own. The people at the centers become like family to them," Pavicich explains. In his own family, weekend barbecues and other fun family events happened so frequently that no one ever fell out of the loop--and no one wanted to.

"I come from a strong family background, and it's nice to see there are others who are instilling the same thing. I really have to compliment Leta [Friedlander] and Eleanor [Vora]--it's a tough job, and they really have to love what they do," he adds about the two women in charge of Live Oak Adult Day Services and Live Oak Senior Nutrition and Service Center, respectively.

Through its service center in Los Gatos, Live Oak Adult Day Services has been serving dependent, often frail senior citizens with a specialized program of both care and recreational activities since 1983. It has since expanded to include two centers in San Jose and one in Gilroy.

Caregivers drop off their senior relatives or friends for mornings or afternoons of exercise, music, arts and crafts, current events, reminiscing sessions and other activities. Breakfast and lunch are also served. These programs, in turn, offers a respite for the seniors' caregivers.

The Live Oak Senior Nutrition and Service Center, established in 1974, offers senior citizens weekday lunches, recreational and social activities, education, counseling, health programs and referral and support services. Transportation is available to seniors unable to drive themselves. The center will also deliver packaged hot lunches to home-bound seniors, up to five days per week, depending on referral and assessment.

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