Posted by Jack Hickey, a resident of the Woodside: Emerald Hills neighborhood, on Nov 24, 2012 at 9:35 am

It's nice to see true philanthropy at work.

Unfortunately, pseudo-philanthropy, such as that engaged in by the taxpayer funded Sequoia Healthcare District, has threatened the integrity of local charities. Passing itself off as a foundation Web Link, and as a "Corporate Grant-Maker" Web Link, they District has led otherwise reputable charitable organizations to the public trough.

Your Holiday Fund lists St. Anthony's Padua Dining Room as " Funded entirely by voluntary contributions...". Not true. They have been receiving $100,000/year in grants from the Sequoia Healthcare District since 2009, when then Board President, Don Horsley, initiated an agressive campaign to expand the community of non-profits on the public dole. Others on your list who have succumbed to the Sequoia Healthcare Districts initiative include:

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula

St. Francis Center

Ravenswood Family Health Center

Second Harvest Food Bank

InnVision Shelter Network

StarVista (formerly Youth and Family Enrichment Services)

For a complete listing of charitable organizations who have taken a bite of the apple, visit: Web Link

Dissolution of the Sequoia Healthcare District and it's corrupting influence would help restore true philanthropy.

Posted by Jack Hickey, a resident of the Woodside: Emerald Hills neighborhood, on Nov 24, 2012 at 10:26 am

Taxpayers should visit St. Anthony's Padua Dining Room's new website Web Link where you will find a token of their appreciation for the support which the Sequoia Healthcare District funded by your tax dollars has bestowed upon them.

Notably absent from their website is a biblical quotation

"Each one should give what he has decided in his own heart to give, not reluctlantly or under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor.9:7)

Apparently, God has been impacted by the economic crisis and has made an exception.

Posted by another angle, a resident of another community, on Nov 24, 2012 at 10:54 am

[Post removed; stick to the topic and the facts.]

Posted by Jack Hickey, a resident of the Woodside: Emerald Hills neighborhood, on Nov 26, 2012 at 10:48 am
Jack Hickey is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula list the Sequoia Healthcare District as a corporate partner on their website. Web Link

The Sequoia Healthcare District is a government agency funded by property taxes.