The Willow Glen Resident

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Dynamic Duo: Linda Floyd (right) and Andrea Thomas co-chaired the Cancer Society's Cattle Baron's Ball and raised some $500,000. It's just a matter of time before they put their energy into a new project.

Supervolunteers say raising money shouldn't be a drag

Teamwork helps these volunteers fundraise big time

By Mary Ann Cook

"I'm a team player," says Andrea Thomas, a self-described "professional volunteer." And judging by the success of her most recent joint effort, the Cattle Baron's Ball, she's found the ideal teammate in Willow Glen resident Linda Floyd. The two co-chaired the American Cancer Society's charity event this year--one of several they've worked on over the past 20 years.

In today's climate, where nonprofits are constantly struggling to find willing no-wage workers, Thomas and Floyd are something of an anomaly. Why do these two sing the praises of volunteerism when so many others would rather hire help than volunteer their own time?

"Volunteer work is so rewarding and fulfilling. [It] opens doors," Floyd offers.

"And it mushrooms: One thing leads to another," Thomas adds.

"We all know what needs to be done, where the trouble spots are in our community. When you volunteer, it's a personal validation," Floyd says.

The Cattle Baron's Ball racked up $500,000, the most money ever for a first-time event for the American Cancer Society. "We earned more money that night than many businesses do in a year," Thomas says.

Now, after a year of joint chairmanship--planning, coordinating, accumulating auction items and country store prizes, working long weeks, long hours--the two are getting used to a slower pace of life.

"We're not just joined at the hip. We're joined at the hip and shoulder," jibes Floyd about how closely the two worked together during this past year. "We made sure we each got all the faxes, all the correspondence, so that either of us could answer any questions raised."

"We play well off each other," adds Thomas. When one of them started to fade, the other could take over. They kept in constant touch, calling each other at 5 a.m. on weekends--quietly, so as not to disturb sleeping husbands.

So consumed were they with raising money at the recent benefit that they started bidding, unwittingly, against their husbands during the live auction. This was for the walk-on part on the TV show E.R., which eventually went to Los Gatans Orla and Kevin MacLean for $10,000.

In the midst of the bidding, Jerry Floyd yelled out to his wife (who was standing nowhere near him), "For god's sake, Linda, be quiet. That last bid was mine."

At another, unrelated benefit in May, the foursome bid on and won a train trip, and the two couples will be taking that mini-vacation together. They've been too busy to plot an appropriate time; in fact, they don't even know where the train's headed.

Thomas and Floyd have worked together before--on showcase mansions to benefit the San Jose Symphony, on Christmas trees decorated and sold to benefit Valle Monte ("and Linda wasn't even a member of Valle Monte," Thomas says with wonder in her voice) and on projects for Catholic Charities.

So they knew they clicked, worked well together. "Because we have the same value system, don't you think?" Thomas says.

That value system includes a strong work ethic, a devotion to particular causes and a commitment to enrich their community.

Floyd, in particular, isn't your standard volunteer because she has a job: she owns a design business and has for 10 years. Despite the business demands, she determined to devote this year to raising money for cancer research. "I've had to turn down jobs, and I asked my clients to be patient, particularly these past two months."

"It's a cause we really believe in. We've both been personally hit by cancer, as who hasn't?" Thomas adds. That's why it was relatively easy to interest underwriters and corporate and individual sponsors in contributing money, products or services to the gala.

"You have to give till it hurts in order to ask others to give. I've been surprised at the total of some of the checks I've written, but how can I ask others if I don't do it myself?" Thomas asks. "I work hard and have a good life and inspire others to do the same. The community is only as good as you make it.

"I love to work with strong women. I'm invigorated by strong people. The energy that surrounds you in working with others for a common goal should be an attractive elixir."

Floyd and her husband, Jerry, were high school sweethearts--he, captain of the football team; she, head cheerleader. "Makes our kids gag," she laughs. The Floyds' most recent addition and delight: a 2-year-old granddaughter.

Jerry Floyd is president of the board of Catholic Charities, and he and Joe Thomas were co-chairs of the Gentlemen's Committee for the Cattle Baron's Ball.

In her other life as a designer, Linda Floyd transformed The Inn at Depot Hill in Capitola, the old railroad depot, into a B&B. The work she did there is still being cited in magazines such as Country Inns and Better Homes and Gardens. She was recently featured in a program on the House and Garden TV channel about work she did on a French-furnished Los Gatos house.

"I'm a visionary," Floyd says. "I'm used to working with floor plans. So when people said something couldn't be done, I could say with confidence, 'Yes, it will work,' and lay it out for them. During the ball people came up to me and said, 'This is exactly the way you said it would be a year ago.' "

Both women are active in their churches, have strong family ties, are from Chicago and have a grown son and daughter. "I'm Italian. I'm demonstrative. I touch, I hug," Thomas says, hugging Floyd and urging a lemon cookie from an aunt's favorite recipe on her.

Now that their work on this project is nearly over, what next? Floyd will resume her business travels and will head for a design class at Oxford. Thomas will concentrate on her health, physical fitness and trimming down. "I have clothes for sizes from 5 to 14. I've been all those. I could clothe a sorority house," she laughs.

Maybe there'll be a breather, but it's a sure bet not much time will elapse before the next project is under way. And very little doubt about who'll be heading it up.

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