Because of his efforts, the Willow Glen resident was recently awarded a Distinguished Volunteer Fundraiser award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Silicon Valley Chapter. He will be honored at an AFP luncheon on Nov. 4 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose.

Blach was nominated for the award by Sacred Heart Community Service, a nonprofit organization that annually serves more than 60,000 low-income families in Santa Clara County. The nonprofit provides essential services such as food, clothing and housing assistance. In addition, the organization helps people work toward becoming self-sufficient through various classes and programs.

Nominations for the award were submitted to a panel of senior fundraising and business professionals and community volunteers who reviewed the nominees. The award is given to volunteers based on their time and philanthropic efforts to local nonprofit organizations.

"The selection process was very difficult this year," said Christine Jeffers, chairwoman of the selections committee. "We had many excellent nominees and we are very happy to select Mike Blach for his accomplishments."

Blach first became familiar with Sacred Heart Community Service in 1996 when his company, Blach Construction, was contacted to submit a bid to build a new facility for the organization.

"When I was contacted about the project they offered to give me a tour. I took two or three key people and we were all touched by what we saw," Blach said. "To see so many people in need of help was a very humbling experience. I was really impressed with the organization and by the compassion and passion they have for what they do. "

Blach Construction was selected to build the new facility for Sacred Heart.

"In 1999, about a year after the project was completed, they asked me to join the board," Blach said. "I guess I attended so many board meetings during the construction project, they decided they might as well ask me to join them."

Since that time, Blach has served on the board in increasingly greater leadership roles, including board president for the 2004-05 year. During his tenure he led the leadership gifts committee in its first major gifts campaign. More recently he was chairman of Sacred Heart's funds development committee.

"Mike has been a friend and supporter of Sacred Heart for many years," said Jenny Niklaus, co-interim executive director of Sacred Heart. "His fundraising efforts have been outstanding, so it is great to see him being recognized and honored."

Helping out is in Blach's blood, according to Debra Jones, director of community resource development for Sacred Heart.

"Mike's family has a really long history in Silicon Valley, and I think philanthropy and volunteerism is just part of the Blach family DNA," she said. "I know for a fact he gives 100 percent of himself. He is one of the nicest, most genuine and humble people you'd ever meet. I am fortunate, and Sacred Heart is fortunate, to have him touch our lives."

Besides Sacred Heart, Blach supports the efforts of Rotary Club of San Jose Endowment, Silicon Valley Children's Fund and the Blach Family Foundation.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals Silicon Valley Chapter advances philanthropy through education, training and advocacy. AFP internationally has more than 26,000 members in 174 chapters throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Mexico.