InnVision Celebrates 30th Anniversary

October 5, 2003, San Jose, CA - InnVision one of Santa Clara Countys largest providers of services and housing for homeless individuals and families celebrated its 30th anniversary with the InnVision the Night Gala on Saturday, October 4th, 2003 at the new Marriott in downtown San Jose.

October 5, 2003, (PRWEB) November 18, 2003 -- InnVision one of Santa Clara Countys largest providers of services and housing for homeless individuals and families celebrated its 30th anniversary with the InnVision the Night Gala on Saturday, October 4th, 2003 at the new Marriott in downtown San Jose. Over 330 people joined host Brian Adams in celebrating InnVisions commitment to community service. The evening raised $86,000 -- the most successful fundraising event InnVision has sponsored.

The highlight of the evening was a live auction featuring Breakfast at Tiffanys" for 50, YMCA camp scholarships for homeless children, and a Publishers Power Luncheon including San Jose Publisher Gilbert Sangari, Silicon Valley Biz Ink Publisher Armon Mills, and Mercury News Publisher Joe Natoli. Auctioneer Gary Scott Thomas from KRTY radio got carried away and auctioned Gilbert Sangari off with a wine-tasting package for $1,100! The live and silent auctions raised $40,000.

InnVision began a new tradition by honoring 5 dedicated partners with the Spirit of InnVision Awards at the event. The Spirit of InnVision Award were given to the following organizations for their outstanding support of InnVision programs:

Cadence Design Systems has supported InnVision for over a decade. Twice they have named InnVision the beneficiary of their Stars & Strikes Fundraiser. They generously helped with the rebuilding of the InnVision Commercial Street Inn (emergency shelter for women & children) after it burned down in 1996 and most recently raised $685,000 to rebuild the Georgia Travis Day Center for women and children. Cadence has sponsored InnVision for San Jose Magazines Lifeline Award three times.

Cisco Systems has been an extremely generous partner with InnVision for close to a decade. The Cisco Foundation has awarded over $500,000 in grants to support InnVision programs. Cisco Systems has donated over $100,000 in matching gifts for employee contributions, and over $250,000 in computer networking equipment. The Cisco Fellowship Program placed two Cisco employees as InnVision staff for a year. They have donated countless hours of volunteer time and meals.

Barry Swenson Builder helped build the Montgomery Street Inn emergency shelter for men in 1995 -- the beginning of a new look" for InnVision facilities. They were the general contractor for the rebuilding of the Commercial Street Inn. They have contributed over $60,000 worth of support to the agency, and never say no" to any request. Barry Swenson has been willing to sponsor ads and has consistently supported all of our fundraisers.

Junior League of San Jose has provided instrumental leadership to InnVision programs that serve women & children for over a decade. The original Georgia Travis Center could not have opened without their support, and most recently Junior League contributed $25,000 to the new Georgia Travis Center. Since 1992, Junior League has contributed over $100,000 in cash to our programs, as well as countless hours of volunteer time, special events, and Done In A Day" projects.

Equity Office is one of InnVisions newest partners and has demonstrated remarkable support during the downturn of the economy. In just two years, Equity has contributed over $100,000 in cash and in-kind supports. Their San Jose offices have led monthly drives for clothing, toiletries, and toys to support our programs. Equity told us to ask for anything" so we did....the mezzanine office space of the new Georgia Travis Center was going to remain unfinished due to lack of funding. Equity staff and contractors took it on as a project and have donated time, equipment, and furnishings to complete this important part of the new center.

CONGRATULATIONS to these outstanding community partners!

About InnVision

Established in 1973, InnVision is the South Bays leading provider of housing and services to homeless and at-risk families and individuals. With 17 sites and over 2,000 volunteers, InnVision provides a continuum of care to over 15,000 people annually, empowering individuals and families to break the cycle of homelessness. For more information visit the InnVision website at www.innvision.org or contact Anne Ehresman at (408) 292-4286.
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Contact: Anne Ehresman
Phone: (408) 292-4286
Fax: (408) 271-0781
Email: aehresman@innvision.org