Ducey Family Has Vision For Fisher Houses in Palo Alto

For CFSV donors Jim and Diane Ducey, having a son in active duty in the military felt a lot like watching a child play in the middle of a busy street, yet being entirely helpless to stop him.

Jim and Diane’s son, Captain Richard Lund, a CH-46 helicopter pilot in the 15 th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is currently beginning his second tour of duty in the Middle East in as many years.

Since Richard’s first deployment, Jim and Diane had been searching for a way to help their son and his fellow soldiers from the homefront. “When you have a child in the military, a strange thing happens and all those serving in the war begin to feel like your children,” Diane explains.

After learning how hard it is for spouses and family to stay with wounded soldiers being treated at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Palo Alto, Jim and Diane have become involved in local efforts to build a Fisher House – a home away from home for VA patients’ families.

“Watching my child go to war is very painful -- I feel so helpless seeing the stories of those killed and injured,” Diane says. “Being able to contribute to the Fisher House in a very concrete way helps reduce that helpless feeling.”

Palo Alto is the only VA Hospital in the Western U.S. specializing in traumatic brain injury, and many of its patients require months of specialized treatment and rehabilitation. During that time, their spouses, parents or children (who often reside in other parts of the country) are not able to be with them unless they can afford to stay at a local hotel, which can be quite expensive in Silicon Valley.

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How Generous Are Silicon Valley Hispanics?
Foundations Release Study on Hispanic Giving and Volunteering

Silicon Valley Hispanics are unlikely to call themselves "volunteers," "donors," or "philanthropists." But when it comes to giving time and money to help others, they are among the regions' most generous residents.

These findings come from Familia, Fé y Comunidad - Giving and Volunteering among Silicon Valley Hispanics , a report released earlier this week by Community Foundation Silicon Valley and the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley.

Click here to for more information and to download a copy of the report.

Benefit Concert Planned

Join prominent author and philosopher Dr. Deepak Chopra, Grammy-nominated singer Lisa Loeb, and philanthropist Dr. Malini Alles on February 20 for a major event benefiting the tsunami relief effort in south Asia.

Skoll Foundation Supports Tsunami Relief Effort

The relief effort in south Asia got a needed boost thanks to generous contributions totaling $300,000 by the Skoll Foundation.

For more information, click here.

Join us for a Brownbag Lunch
To Discuss Hispanic Philanthropy

The release of Familia, Fé y Comunidad - Giving and Volunteering among Silicon Valley Hispanics - has prompted many in our community to reflect on how they can apply the lessons learned in their own lives and the charities with which they’re involved. Community Foundation Silicon Valley and the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley are therefore pleased to offer a brownbag lunch for members of the community who would like to find out more about the study.

Please bring your lunch and join Familia, Fé y Comunidad co-authors Angie Aguirre and Linda Min as they provide an overview of the findings and field your questions. Participants will then break into smaller groups to brainstorm ideas for putting the findings into practice in their own organizations. We’ll provide the drinks and cookies.

When:
Friday, Feb. 25 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Where:
The Kirsch Conference Center at
Community Foundation Silicon Valley
60 S. Market Street Suite 1000
San Jose, CA 95113