Beginning with the campaign to fund the first library in Saratoga, the Saratoga Foothill Club has a long history of community involvement. Today’s members continue to honor the objectives of the club founders by supporting several community activities.
Project Linus
Each fall and spring, Foothill Club members gather at the clubhouse to assemble colorful, fringed, no-sew fleece blankets. Completed blankets are donated to the San Jose, California branch of Project Linus, a national charitable organization that collects and distributes donor-made fleece blankets to children all over the United States who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need.
Holiday Giving Project
In December, the Foothill Club works in conjunction with West Valley Community Services (WVCS) to provide gift baskets for local San Jose area families in need. Throughout the fall months, club members donate monetary contributions to the Holiday Giving committee. In December, committee members purchase and wrap gift items from each selected family’s wish list. The gift baskets are then delivered to WVCS, who gets them to families in time for the holidays.
Scholarship Awards
In the Spring, Saratoga Foothill Club works with the Saratoga High school guidance department and counselors at West Valley College to select scholarship recipients.
- The American Heritage award is given to a Saratoga High School senior who has excelled in the social sciences.
- The Fine Arts award is given to an outstanding Saratoga High School senior who is studying the fine arts
- The Legacy Award is given to an outstanding high school senior student who is the daughter or granddaughter of a Foothill Club member.
- The STEM award is given to a current female West Valley College student who is studying science, technology, electronics, or mathematics in order to transfer to a 4-year school for further study. This student may apply for the award for a second time the following year.
- The Reentry award is given to current West Valley College student who is restarting his/her college education in one of the college’s two-year certificate programs with the intention of reentering the work place. This student may apply for the award for a second time the following year.
2024 Foothill Club Scholarship recipients
Memorial Day Observance
Since 1982, the Foothill Club has hosted the City of Saratoga’s Memorial Day Observance, an important civic event and one of Saratoga’s oldest traditions. On this meaningful day, the Saratoga community comes together to honor those who gave their lives for our country, along with veterans and current members of the United States Armed Services.
The Foothill Club President opens the event by delivering brief remarks at Blaney Plaza’s Memorial Arch. After a United States flag raising ceremony, attendees walk up Oak Street as part of the procession to Madronia Cemetery for the 10:00 a.m. service. The Memorial Day program features local musicians and speakers, including the Foothill Club President, the Mayor of Saratoga, and a keynote speaker such as a US. veteran or current Armed Services member. The solemn ceremony closes with Taps sounding and echoing throughout the cemetery.
Memorial Day Ceremony 2023
Family Giving Tree Backpack Drive
Over the summer, club members hold a virtual drive for new backpacks and essential, grade-appropriate school supplies. The backpacks are donated to close the educational gap for Bay Area K-12 students in need. Club members have opportunities to volunteer at Family Giving Tree’s warehouse, performing activities such as sorting supplies and filling backpacks for incoming fall students of all ages.