Willow Glen Resident
Community
Willow Glen businessman serves community by assisting its youth
By Emilie Crofton
Like the fine wines Bert George sells at his Willow Glen family store, his generosity gets better with age.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley have named George their 2007 Leading Citizen.
George will be honored at the Leading Citizens Dinner on Nov. 6 at downtown Campbell's Villa Ragusa.
"When selecting the leading citizen we look at their involvement in the community and contributions to youth in Santa Clara County," says Teresa Johnson, development director for the Boys & Girls Club of Silicon Valley. "Bert is outstanding in both of those areas."
George has served as board member for both the Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley and the San Jose Medical Center Foundation.
He had to cut back on his community service when the family business, Joseph George Wine and Baskets, grew.
He had to step down as a board member with the Boys & Girls Clubs, but Johnson says his commitment to youths has never faltered.
"He's well known in the nonprofit community and has a tough time saying no." Johnson says.
George donates wine annually to the club's events and functions and donates to Healthy Kids, Family Supportive Housing, Boy Scouts of Santa Clara County and the Boys & Girls Clubs. He has also raised money through his family golf tournament, the Glen George Classic, whose proceeds benefit nonprofit organizations including the Nativity School for Boys and Girls and the Rotary Club of San Jose.
"When you go to the clubs and visit the children, you'll know exactly why you are there," George says. "It's always great to see the kids."
George is currently the president-elect for the Rotary Club of San Jose.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley have provided afterschool and summer programs to children in Santa Clara County since 1944. The clubs offer activities that provide character and leadership development, education and career development, technology, health and life skills, arts and culture and sports, fitness and recreation.
All proceeds from the Leading Citizens Dinner will go to support Boys & Girls Clubs after-school and summer programs for low-income youth.
The Leading Citizens Dinner take place Nov. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Villa Ragusa in Downtown Campbell, 35 S. Second St.
For more information on the event, contact Teresa Johnson at 408.957.9685 or e-mail teresa@ bgclub.org.
