Going out of your way is the straightest path to giving back.

 

In today’s fast-paced world, losing sight of the importance of giving back to the community is easy. But it is essential to remember that we are all part of a larger network of people, many of whom are less fortunate and rely on the kind acts of others to contribute to their well-being.

When we give back to the community, there are several drivers, the first of which is showing gratitude for the opportunities and resources we have received. It is important to recognize that not everyone has had the same privileges or advantages in life, and giving back validates this fact and helps to bridge the gap. Acts of philanthropy also allow us to develop a sense of empathy and understanding for those who may be less fortunate. It can teach us the valuable lesson of humility and help us appreciate what we have.

Giving back also helps to build a stronger, more connected society. When we volunteer our time or donate resources, we help to support local organizations and individuals who are our neighbors, friends, and colleagues. This shared sense of purpose can help improve the quality of life for the less fortunate and help build a more cohesive and supportive environment for everyone.

When asked what they appreciate most about their efforts to give back to the community, many say it’s the personal fulfillment that is most rewarding. For some, it helps them find purpose and meaning in their lives, bringing a sense of satisfaction they don’t always find within their personal pursuits.

For all these reasons, we’re proud to present our annual list of local philanthropists and the organizations they work with to help improve the lives of others, help build stronger communities, and make the world a better place. Their contributions show that if we all do our part, we can make a real difference.

 

Tama Adelman

Volunteer, Hands on Global

Tama Adelman’s one year as a US Army nurse in Vietnam changed her worldview. “I don’t see borders and countries; I see people,” said the 73-year-old retired nurse and yoga teacher who volunteers with Hands On Global, providing medical support to disadvantaged, underserved, and displaced people. She and the organization are currently in Ukraine. “I do this work in part because it forces me to go deeper with people,” said Adelman, who, in 2018, spent four months working in the Moria refugee camp in Lesvos, Greece as a nurse. “I give with no expectation of anything in return. It challenges me in new ways. I now live in a manner where reflection and the mantra of “Is it helpful” is always with me. I’m learning how to hold both the Ukranian’s pain and the joy of eating a fine meal.” Adelman’s activism came later in life. She admits that her comfortable lifestyle was not penetrated by world crises. “I was busy—working, raising a child, tending my garden—the justifications were endless to let me off the hook.” Then, she turned 70 and realized she did not want the last chapter of her life to be spent sitting on the sidelines. “I wanted to throw everything I had at helping those whose lives are filled with pain and uncertainty. I am grateful that I have so much ease in my life, but with that comfort and plenitude comes responsibility.” She knows that in Ukraine she cannot fix anything about the situation and admits to bouts of feeling helpless. But she relies on the “heart connection,” letting Ukrainians know they are not forgotten. “It is an honor to do this work,” said Adelman. “I receive so much more than I give.”  // www.handsonglobal.org

 

Ashley Armstrong

Executive Director, We Care Animal Rescue

For as long as she can remember, Ashley Armstrong has participated in community causes. In high school, she volunteered at a food bank, providing food to those affected by HIV and AIDS. “It was just two days a week for a couple of hours after school, but I really felt like I was helping my community in a small way,” said Armstrong, a Sonoma County resident. After high school, she began fostering for a local animal shelter. “I jokingly suggested they offer me a job since I was there so often. The next day, I started as a kennel technician.” Now, as the executive director of We Care Animal Rescue, Armstrong and her team provide a safe haven for last-chance animals, those who are elderly, sick, or behaviorally challenged. “We believe every animal deserves a safe haven.” The organization recently expanded its mission to support housed animals and their owners with a pet food pantry, community wellness clinics, and grants paid to veterinarians to help owners during medical emergencies. “I don’t think people realize how important the human animal bond is,” said Armstrong, whose happy, ‘never-a-dull-moment’ home is filled with a menagerie of pets, as well as seven children (three adopted, one from her previous marriage, and three from her fiancé’s previous marriage.) “Many would be lost without their pets. So often, people must pick feeding and care for themselves over caring for their pets. We never want anyone to have to make that choice. By offering some support to owners, we hope to keep pets in their homes and out of the shelter.” // www.wecareanimalrescue.org

 

Chris Benz

Co-founder, Napa Climate NOW!

Having retired from a career in wine production, Chris Benz decided her next chapter was ‘to serve.’ Her science background and love of the outdoors have led to a focus on environmental and climate policy. “This has a huge overlap with agriculture, housing, transportation, economic development, and education in our community, so I’ve been able to meet with and partner with people working in these areas,” said Benz, a 35-year resident of Napa, who, in what little free time she has, enjoys hiking at Skyline Park with friends, volunteering for the Napa Land Trust, and hanging out with her grandkids. She initiated her community service in 2013 when elected to the Napa Sierra Club Executive Committee. In 2015, she helped found Napa Climate NOW!, a non-profit that educates on and advocates for science-based climate actions. She currently serves as treasurer on the non-profit’s steering committee. Additionally, Benz writes the Climate Connection column for the Napa Valley Register, is involved in outreach for the upcoming City of Napa rebate program to help local yard service businesses purchase battery-powered leaf blowers, serves on the board of Napa Green, the non-profit that promotes and certifies environmentally sound wine production in the county, and serves as executive committee secretary for the Sierra Club’s Napa Group. She also volunteers at Napa RISE, the Climate and Wine Symposium hosted by Napa Green, and serves as secretary for the Napa Working Families Coalition, consisting of labor, housing, environmental, and government representatives focused on expanding quality jobs and housing in the county. Said Benz, “I like to quote our Congressman Mike Thompson, who says, “If we don’t take action on climate change, nothing else matters.” I don’t want my grandkids and their kids to live in a world we’ve destroyed through lack of action.” // www.napa.350bayarea.org

 

Toni Chiappetta

Donor, Icing Smiles

As the founder and owner of Sweetie Pies Bakery, Toni Chiappetta is accustomed to making people smile. Her delicious cookies, pies, and cakes have been fundamental to various Napa Valley celebrations since 1994. But the grins elicited from her participation in ‘Icing Smiles’ might be the most meaningful. The organization makes cakes for children who are ill and going through or coming out of treatment. “There are two styles of cakes that I make for Icing Smiles,” said Chiappetta, a Napa resident since 1992. “Either a fun cake (single-tiered cake with a theme that the child picks out) or a dream cake which is a 2-tiered or sculpted cake. I have been doing this since 2017. They send us a request, and we answer the call.” Chiappetta and Sweetie Pies Bakery have long supported many organizations, including the Napa Food Bank, Make a Wish Foundation, local schools, Napa Humane, Jamison Animal Rescue, and Red Cross. “Anything to do with children and animals,” said Chiappetta, who in her rare spare time is a vocalist with Sing Napa Valley, Bel Canto Choir, and The Sonoma Shakers. “Whenever there are fires or earthquakes, we give to the first responders, police, and firemen, and we work with the Salvation Army when they are doing meals.” For example, during the last fires, Chiappetta made and donated daily breakfast items for months. “I am a firm believer that I am blessed in my life, and I should pass on to others that need it,” said Chiappetta, who credits her mother for having set an example that it’s better to give than to receive. “My business is in this community; I count on locals to come into the bakery, and I would like to reciprocate. It makes me happy to give back to my friends and community. It’s just in my DNA, I guess.” // www.icingsmiles.org

 

Shelley Dombroski

Senior Regional Director, Alzheimer’s Association Northern California / Northern Nevada Chapter

In 2001, Shelley Dombroski left a paralegal career when her sister-in-law Patt was diagnosed at age 53 with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease. “At the time of Patt’s diagnosis, I knew nothing about Alzheimer’s,” said Dombroski. “But I quickly learned that the disease plays no favorites and knows no economic, social, or ethnic barriers.” She started volunteering for the Alzheimer’s Association, and she now oversees the administration and management of the Chapter’s North Bay offices that serve Napa, Sonoma, Marin, Mendocino, and Lake Counties in support of the organization’s mission to drive global research, reduction, and early detection, and to maximize quality care and support. “Alzheimer’s disease affects the entire family,” said Dombroski. “No one is fully prepared or ready after a dementia diagnosis on what the future will hold. When Patt was diagnosed, I reached out to the Alzheimer’s Association for guidance, and Patt and I both found the support we needed.” While her philanthropy journey with the Alzheimer’s Association began with volunteering at her local office, she soon turned to raising money to be part of the solution to ensure that no one faces Alzheimer’s disease alone. Over the last 15 years, Dombroski has raised more than $50,000 by participating in two fundraising walks and various other Alzheimer’s Association fundraisers. (She was part of the team that brought the Napa Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s to Napa in 2013. The walk is now in its 11th year.) “I encourage families to get involved in any way they can by attending an education program or support group, volunteering as a community educator or public policy committee member, or participating in the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s event,” said Dombroski. “My hope is that in my grandchildren’s lifetime, there will be a cure for Alzheimer’s, and they can experience the “first survivor” of Alzheimer’s.” // www.alz.org

 

Nancy Fireman

Manager, Napa Valley CanDo Give!Guide

A dedicated community volunteer, Nancy Fireman’s involvement with Napa Valley CanDo began in 2009 as manager of CanDo’s Drug Take Back program, transporting unused/expired medicine to Napa Recycling and Waste. In 2013, she procured 501(c)3 status for CanDo, the mission of which is to connect, inspire, and empower the community to take positive action as volunteers. She has managed the CanDo Give!Guide since 2021. “All of CanDo’s efforts are designed to strengthen and enrich the lives of Napa Valley residents,” said Fireman, who moved to Napa in 2000 to care for her elderly father. “They create and implement dynamic projects when they recognize unmet community needs and collaborate with other local service organizations to further mutual goals.” Her interest in philanthropy began more than 20 years ago upon her retirement. In 2001, she created a non-profit, Tibetan Living Communities (TLC), raising funds for the health and education of children living in Tibetan settlements in India. “Spending time with the Tibetan monks made me realize how much I have and how much I could share—if not money, then my time and expertise,” said Fireman, whose passion for travel was ignited by having attended high school in India. Her other involvements included setting up non-profit status for the Teacher Resource Center of the North Bay, cooking and serving meals for those in need at the now defunct The Table, and volunteering with Friends of the Napa Library. “I am lucky in my life; not all are so,” said Fireman, who has visited nearly 100 countries. “I hope by giving back, I can better the lives of the people in my community. It’s also an opportunity for personal growth and helps me improve my skills. And it just feels good!” // www.candogiveguide.org

 

Camille Gentry Kaijankoski

President, Napa Valley CanDo

Margaret Mead once stated, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” It’s one of Camille Gentry Kaijankoski’s favorite quotes. “It’s such a beautiful statement that rings true for me,” said Kaijankoski, president of Napa Valley CanDo and a Napa Valley resident for the past twenty years. Napa Valley CanDo is an all-volunteer service organization that connects, inspires, and empowers neighbors by making it easy to take positive community action. All of CanDo’s efforts are designed to strengthen and enrich the lives of Napa Valley residents by implementing dynamic projects addressing unmet community needs and collaborating with other local service organizations to further mutual goals. “I believe that if we can all work toward a shared goal, our community will thrive,” said Kaijankoski, who enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, listening to baseball, cooking, and traveling. “If we all pitch in, the world can be a better place. Pick up that piece of trash instead of walking by it and donate that $10 to a nonprofit to help our neighbors in need.” Kaijankoski’s involvement with Napa Valley CanDo began in 2011 during the plastic bag ban campaign. As an environmental advocate long inspired by her community-minded grandfather, she felt grateful to find CanDo and like-minded people. Since that initial connection, she has been most involved in river clean-ups and CanDo’s Napa Valley Give!Guide, a campaign to raise funds for local nonprofits. “What we do each day makes an impact.” // www.nvcando.org

 

Cristi Keith-Darling

President & Board Chair, Anchor Health Foundation

Cristi Keith-Darling’s passion for community service began as a young girl when she volunteered to visit retirement community residents. That early passion has led to a life of service, and for more than 15 years, she has specialized in end-of-life care. As founder, president, and board chair of Anchor Health Foundation, a California nonprofit, she and her team support adult and pediatric hospice patients and their families who have extraordinary needs that extend beyond the borders of the traditional hospice benefit. Some of the funding interventions the foundation has provided include fulfilling a final wish, covering travel expenses to bring family members together, special event tickets, anniversary celebrations, art classes, pediatric treatments, and other items that bring joy. In addition, the Anchor Health Foundation participates in several community outreach events to raise awareness of end-of-life care. “To support patients and families with a last dying wish can be a powerful way to make a positive difference in people’s lives, promote greater understanding and awareness about end-of-life care, and honor the memory of loved ones who have passed away,” said Keith-Darling, whose desire to support families with chronic illnesses also led her to be an active board member of the California Hospice and Palliative Care Association. “Giving back to my community truly feeds my soul. It fosters a sense of social responsibility and encourages individuals and organizations to be more engaged and invested in the welfare of their community. I hope to encourage young minds to begin giving of their time at early stages of life, as I really believe this type of practice will continue to make the world a better place.” // www.anchorhpc.com

 

(1931-2022) Harold Kelly

Connolly Ranch for Children

Harold Kelly was often referred to as the “father of open space.” A leader, visionary, and slow-growth advocate, Kelly, who passed away in October 2022 at age 91, helped create and lead NABOR (Neighborhood Association Of Browns Valley Residents), which helped to establish the region’s quality of life. He was a founding member in 1974 of Napa Landmark and a 1976 founding board member of the Napa Land Trust. He served on the Napa Planning Commission from 1972-76 and was a Napa City Councilman from 1976-80, helping to establish Connolly Ranch for Children, for which he was the first chairman. Additionally, he was a founding father and first director of Ward 2 of the Open Space District and a leader of the 1990 Measure J campaign and with the “Get a Grip on Growth” movement. He was a key figure in establishing several parks, including Century Oaks, Alston Park, Buhman Park, and Westwood Hills, among many others. “My dad was very passionate about land use issues and protecting Napa Valley, its open spaces, and the agriculture of the Valley,” said his son Gene Kelly. “He did not want to see it paved over like Walnut Creek and Silicon Valley.” Harold moved with his family in 1968 to Napa as a loan officer with Equitable Life Insurance’s agri-business investment division. “At that time, there were more prunes, chickens, and cattle in Napa than vineyards,” said Gene. “Yet he saw the potential in the wine industry and made loans to start-up vineyard owners and wineries. He was very successful, and many of his clients became the iconic names of the Napa Valley.” Harold received many significant awards and recognitions from the California State Assembly and Senate, The U.S. Senate, the Napa Land Trust, and the Sierra Club. He was presented a key to the city of Napa, and fittingly, a bench at Lake Hennessy is dedicated to his memory. “My dad felt that it was important to be a good steward of the land and to protect the quality of life we have been blessed with here in Napa,” said Gene. // www.connollyranch.org

 

Jennifer Klingbeil

Founder, MISSION:UKRAINE

When Russia first attacked Ukraine, Jennifer Klingbeil created MISSION:UKRAINE with a desire to help the Ukrainian people in a tangible way. Of Ukrainian heritage herself, she felt strongly about getting involved. Her goal was two-fold: to rescue Ukrainian young people displaced by the war and to bring them to the safety of the Napa Valley to live and attend school, and to help Pacific Union College (PUC), an acclaimed liberal arts Christian college in Upper Napa Valley whose enrollment was decimated by Covid. “PUC jumped at the opportunity to join forces and graciously offered a 50% discount for students in our program,” said Klingbeil, a Napa realtor who moved to the region 27 years ago. “Being a start-up foundation, my role requires me to wear many hats, from marketing, fundraising, public relations, speaking at local service groups, and setting up student dorm rooms when they arrive.” Klingbeil has long been involved in community efforts. She served in student government at every school she attended and was awarded the Board of Directors Award at De Anza College for serving that community. In addition, she has served on the Angwin Community Council as president and is an active member of the Soroptimist International of St. Helena. She also donates a percentage of her real estate sales to local organizations and education. “We are so fortunate to live in an area that offers such a great sense of community,” said Klingbeil. “Our group of Napa Valley neighbors and friends stands together in good times and in the face of disasters. It’s such an honor and privilege to be part of this positive momentum by giving back to this community, which in turn, generates more positivity in town. When I think that I am helping others in need, it has often made me realize that I am the one blessed by the enrichment of the experience.” // www.puc.edu/mission-ukraine 

 

Erika Lubensky

Executive Director, Community Resources for Children

Growing up, Erika Lubensky was keenly aware that not everyone came to the world with the same opportunities. Thus, her chosen professional focus has been contributing to early learning in the community. As executive director of Community Resources for Children, she works to provide adults who take care of children with the knowledge, tools, and resources so that the children in their care thrive and are ready to learn. “Our vision is for every child to have a path to a brighter future through a supportive network of parents, caregivers, and community partners,” said Lubensky, a Napa resident since 2014. “Before age five, 90% of a child’s brain is developed. Early experiences shape brain development, and positive experiences are critical for children to succeed in life. This makes the first five years of a child’s life critical, not only for that child but for our whole society.” Lubensky, who loves Napa for its open spaces and connection to nature, has long been dedicated to community service. She spent a year in Ecuador working for a micro-lending organization, providing loans to women who supported each other and used their funds to invest in their own businesses and communities. After receiving her graduate degree and working for a few years in the wine industry, she worked with Women for Women International, an organization that provides women survivors of war with resources and skills to rebuild their lives and their communities. “I find that giving back enriches society and enriches my own life. I love learning from others, especially those who think and experience life differently than me. Giving back, for me, is part of my values, and I’m driven by the hope of creating a world where opportunities are more equally distributed.” // www.crcnapa.org

 

Jeni Olsen

Prevention Director, Mentis | Founder, Teens Connect

After two Napa teenagers died by suicide in 2016, Jeni Olsen closed her 20-year-old graphic design business and founded Teens Connect with a mission to equip teenagers with tools to manage their anxiety and depression, provide safe places and people with whom to connect, and give them a voice in their community. Shortly after founding Teens Connect, she partnered with Mentis, one of Napa’s oldest nonprofits, to design a full continuum of care for Napa’s youth, including prevention and wellness programs and mental health therapy with teen-centered clinicians. (In 2020, Teens Connect merged with Mentis, and Olsen started a new Prevention Division at the agency where she manages wellness programs.) “Our programs, including therapy, are free for students at Napa County middle and high schools,” said Olsen, a 27-year Napa resident, whose goal is ensuring that today’s youth are given opportunities she did not have as a teenager – adult mentorship, peer support, accessible mental health resources, and a sense of belonging. Her programs have served more than 12,000 youth; the collected data shows marked improvement in learned coping skills, willingness to ask for help, decreased isolation, depression, anxiety, and suicide ideation. Olsen started volunteering at age 19 when the company she worked for adopted a family and helped paint their home. “I felt that I received more than I gave, and I was hooked on volunteering,” said Olsen, a new Board Trustee of Napa Valley College. “I continued to look for ways to give back, which was easy to do once I had kids and got involved in their schools. I feel that it’s not only important to give back, it’s our responsibility as community members. Volunteering with local organizations and like-minded people gives me an understanding of who lives in my community and what the most pressing needs are, which helps me in my work. Volunteering also gives me a sense of purpose and a feeling of belonging, something I’ve helped instill in the teens I work with.” // www.mentisnapa.org

 

Vivian Pirchner

President, UpValley Women’s Club

As a college student during the presidency of John F. Kennedy, Vivian Pirchner was deeply moved by Kennedy’s speech about commitment to service. Upon hearing his famed quote, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” Pirchner vowed that she would find a way and a time to join the Peace Corps. The opportunity came after she had been working as a teacher in Oakland for five years. She was recruited, along with other graduates of UC Berkeley, to become a teacher trainer in Peru, and was later sent to Ecuador. Pirchner, a Napa Valley resident since 1977, who moved to the area when she was hired to start the Bilingual Kindergarten program at St Helena Elementary School, has continued her life of service. As current president of the UpValley Women’s Club (formerly known as the Federated Women of Upper Napa Valley and part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs), she serves the organization’s mission to enhance the lives of others through volunteer service. “Our mission is to sponsor community events such as fundraising activities for upvalley high school scholarships and other worthy causes,” said Pirchner, who enjoys reading in her spare time and singing with Craig Bond’s Chamber Singers. “I believe we have an obligation to do whatever we can to leave our little portion of the world a better place.  As a retired educator, I also believe in starting with the children.”  

Annette Smith

Outgoing President, UpValley Women’s Club

Annette Smith joined UpValley Women’s Club after retiring from 42 years of teaching in Napa primary and elementary schools. After serving two years as president and three as parliamentarian, she was recently elected first vice president. The third-generation St. Helena native began her community involvement as a child, modeling the good works of her parents, who were active community volunteers. “They made sure that my brothers and I understood it was our duty and privilege to give back,” said Smith, whose husband was also born and raised in St. Helena. “They involved us in volunteer activities with them in our church, schools, and community. It was simply a part of our life!” What first attracted Smith to UpValley Women’s Club was the Reading Is Fun (RIF) program. “Reading is my passion, and I believe in instilling a love for books in our children,” said Smith. “Each month, a group of us go to the Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Helena, Calistoga, Howell Mountain, Stonebridge Apartments, and Hunts Grove to read to the children and let them pick out a new book. Another project in which Smith is involved is Purses of Hope. The group collects gently used purses to fill with toiletries and much-needed items such as gloves, scarves, gift certificates, etc., and delivers them to women’s resource agencies in Napa County for distribution, intending to bring hope to women in need. “It is an honor to volunteer and serve alongside the 30 other members of this club.”// www.FWUNV.org

 

Nadina Riggsbee

Founder & President, Drowning Prevention Foundation

Family tragedy led to Nadina Riggsbee’s life purpose. Forty-four years ago, her two-year-old daughter drowned in a backyard swimming pool, and her one-year-old son suffered irreversible brain damage due to prolonged water submission. Since then, to help keep innocent children from drowning, she has made water safety her mission. As founder and president of the Drowning Prevention Foundation (established in 1985), she was instrumental in getting the world’s first pool fencing law passed. In addition, she has worked with the Consumer Product Safety Commission in Washington, D.C. to help prevent bathtub drownings and child-related backyard pool entrapment. And she has partnered with the California Department of Health and other statewide organizations on child drowning prevention. Having developed and overseen various educational projects and materials, Riggsbee provides informative brochures to pediatrician offices, libraries, and preschool and elementary school parents and annually works with the State Department of Developmental Service and California’s Governor on Drowning Prevention Month (May). She also works tirelessly to raise funds from groups, such as the Valero Refinery in Benicia, that allow underprivileged children to participate in swimming lessons. “I know I’ve made a huge impact on preventing these drowning accidents over the years,” said Riggsbee, who long ago moved from Danville, the site of her family tragedy, and has been a Watermark of Napa Valley resident for two years now, enjoying the companionship of her fellow residents. “Drownings have been reduced from 150 a year to 50. Unfortunately, it’s still too many, but I continue to educate and legislate for stronger laws.” // www.drowningpreventionfoundation.org

 

Peggy Smith

Director, Expressions of Hope

Expressions of Hope began in 2006 in Peggy Smith’s garage, the mission of which was and is for every child who enters foster care to feel loved and valued and every family caring for them to feel supported by someone who understands what they are going through. “Most kids who enter foster care come with very little, so I started providing backpacks filled with comfort items to each child that entered care regardless of age,” said Smith, a foster parent herself over the years to more than 90 infants/children and youth. The organization was incorporated in 2009, and Smith has been the executive director ever since. Having graduated from a garage, EOH now leases an office and oversees a fully stocked Resource Center that supplies everything from clothing, shoes, diapers, and formula to beds, dressers, and more. The Center is open to any foster, adoptive, or at-risk family. “I never thought of fostering as a service but rather a calling,” said Smith. “Caring for a child with a trauma background is hard and messy, but it has been one of the most beautiful and purposeful ways I’ve done life.” Besides meeting practical needs, EOH offers mentoring, training, support groups, and family activities intending to build community and connection. EOH also works closely with Napa County Child Welfare and serves biological parents who are struggling to keep their children out of foster care and those in the process of reunifying with their children who have been in care. “I believe there is always something that someone can do in their community,” said Smith. “It’s important to give back, especially when there are so many needs, but I also know that sometimes people don’t know how or where to help. EOH connects community members with genuine needs. Not everyone can foster, but anyone can provide an item for a backpack, provide a service, donate an item to the resource center, or volunteer for an event. EOH gives people an easy opportunity to make a difference in their community and a child’s life.” //  www.expressionsofhopenapa.org

 

Emma Swain

Founder, Everyday Heroes Project

Though the 2020 fires destroyed 98% of St. Supéry’s harvest that year, CEO Emma Swain proposed to winery ownership that what little profit was made be donated to the community, and thus, the Everyday Heroes Project was founded. The winery donated $5 from each bottle of their iconic Sauvignon Blanc to the Napa Valley Disaster Relief Fund in honor of the valor of its neighbors who stopped the fire from moving through the Rutherford property, preventing its spread into the community. The donation totaled $110,000. “We are so grateful to live in this place where people care. The strong sense of community here reinforces the desire to help each other in any way we can,” said Swain, a 30-year Napa resident who currently serves on the boards of Visit Napa Valley, The Wine Market Council, The Napa Valley Vintners, and The Collective Napa Valley. “I honestly don’t think there is an industry like the wine industry with charitable giving as central to its ethos. Wherever I travel around the world and at home, the wine industry is focused on significantly contributing to our communities.” Swain, who has served as a Land Trust of Napa County trustee and board president, also initiated St. Supéry Giving Tuesdays every year during the month of November, in which customers are invited to donate to a number of organizations featured in the winery’s holiday catalog. “I have found that not only is the wine industry one of the most generous, but our customers are also amazingly philanthropic,” said Swain, whose volunteerism began in elementary school. “It was in 5th and 6th grade that I became extremely interested in science and math,” she said. “I loved reading Discover magazine and thought I would enter the medical field. I started volunteering as a candy striper at the local hospital and absolutely loved it. There is just something very joyful about being able to help someone else and put their comfort and care ahead of everything else.  When you think about it, it is a lot like great hospitality, where our primary role is to make people happy.” // www.stsupery.com/everydayheroes/

 

Cindy Wolfe

President, Community Projects

Cindy Wolfe worked as a teacher in the Napa Unified School District for 39 years. During that time, many of her school projects were supported by Community Projects, a non-profit volunteer organization that engages in charitable and benevolent activities to benefit people and organizations in need within Napa Valley. Upon her retirement in 2017, Wolfe promptly joined Community Projects, serving as its president today. Through the years, she has also held the office of vice president, Thrift Shop officer, and Specialty Groups officer. The organization raises money through sales of merchandise donated to the Thrift Shop and disburses the proceeds to worthy causes. “We have donated nearly $16M since 1941 to County Schools, student scholarships, and other Napa County organizations,” said Wolfe, a third-generation Napan with deep roots in the community. Her family owned an Italian restaurant in town for nearly 65 years. “The good thing about Community Projects is that there is something for everyone to get involved in. One can join a specialty group such as kitchen collectibles, sort through the donations, be a cashier, or be a COD (clerk of the day). I love spending time at the shop; the members are wonderful.” Wolfe’s community involvement began in high school when she joined the Soroptimist-sponsored “S” Club, volunteering in a class for deaf children and in an autistic ward at the State Hospital. In college, she volunteered at the California School for the Deaf, something she has continued for fifty years. “Today, there is such a large at-risk population in all aspects of life that need help,” said Wolfe. “I have had a good life and feel I need to pay it forward.” // www.communityprojectsnapa.com