Return to flip book view

VMSF - Marketing Subcommittee Report, Aug 5, 2024

Page 1

Marketing SubcommitteeUpdateAug 5, 2024AGENDATeam - Welcome to:Matt RaderAleksandra RombakhHonorAVet Search Engine Optomization(SEO) - MarkSocial Marketing Intro - EllenGoogle Ads - MattVideo Shorts - OwenSocial Media Results - Best Version MediaUpcoming Events Mktg - Ellen9/11 Marketing Collateral DistributionOther: Town of LG Grant Report 2023-34Town of LG Application 2024-25

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Page 5

Page 6

Page 7

Page 8

Page 9

Page 10

Page 11

Page 12

Page 13

Page 14

Page 15

Page 16

Page 17

Page 18

Page 19

Page 20

TOWN OF LOS GATOS COMMUNITY GRANTS REPORT August 1, 2024  EXHIBIT B Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation481 North Santa Cruz Ave., Ste. 250, Los Gatos, CA 95030Ellen Manzo, Walker Pearce-Percy, Dr. Clyde Hornellen.manzo@gmail.com9/11 Tribute: 9/10/23; Wounded Healers-All Fridays; Vets Meetup 8/10/241) 9/11: 400+40 Participants; 2) Vets Networking Meetup: 40; 3) Wounded Healers: 20/Week85% of the total are Los Gatan Residents in our estimation$12,000 (100%) Graphic Art Design, Invitations, Advertising / Marketing Collateral / Event Programs & Brochures $3,763.78 Advertising & PR - Media Outlets $1,523.65 OnLine Social Media, Website $2,023.10 Photography, Photo Storage, Video Creation & Editing $1,909.59 Venue and Supplies (Note 1) $4,367.94 Note 1 - Some additional receipts for venue and supplies are not yet in house as reported to R. Baker. The expenses over the allottedgrant amount were supported by sponsor donation.$13,588.06$12,000Remembering 9/11 Tribute & Yellow Ribbon Pgms.203-561-8888

Page 21

Program Summary Please provide an overview of the program as it was implemented during the grant period: EXHIBIT B VETERANS MEMORIAL & SUPPORT FOUNDATION REPORT TO THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS COMMUNITY GRANT COMMITTEE 2023-24 Grant Impact The Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation is pleased to present this report to the Town of Los Gatos Community Grant Committee Grant Objective The Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation submitted a grant application to the Town of Los Gatos for the 2023/2024 year. Our plan, as identified in the grant application, was to use grant funding to: “…host a 9/11 tribute on the most tragic day in America’s recent history, September 11, 2001.” The second tenet of our Foundation mission is to educate the community on the sacrifices borne by those who serve. The Town of Los Gatos Community Grant was used to support the Veteran’s Foundation REMEMBERING 9/11 Event, held Sunday, September 10, 2023, on the Civic Center Lawn in front of The Flame of Liberty Memorial. Attendees to the event were predominately from Los Gatos and the surrounding area. (See event program included along with video links at the end of this report.) IMPACT COMMUNITY • An audience of 500 directly attended to hear the message live. • The media reach on the event received excellent exposure. NBC Bay Area News - KRON and KTVU Fox each covered the event with evening and late-night news reports. The Mercury, the Los Gatan, the Patch, and KCAT provided coverage, thereby extending the reach beyond that of the audience members present. • The entire program was filmed and accessible by the public on social media following the event and has occupied a place on the Foundation website for public viewing for nearly a year, again extending the reach of the message. • In addition to the 500 in the audience, approximately 40 active parties had direct participatory roles – speakers, performers, musicians, trumpeter, bagpipe master, color guard, American Legion, Santa Clara Cty Fire Department personnel, Boy Scouts, Boys Team Charity, Foundation Board Members, students, former Mayor Maria Ristow, Lt Col Walker Pearce-Percy, and the CEO of a local business, were on stage for the program delivery. Twenty teens from Boys Team Charity and members from the local Boy Scouts of America helped prep the venue. • For the first time since inception, local school students participated and rang in the names of the 40 innocent passengers aboard United Flight 93 who were lost on that tragic day to include two local 9/11 heroes – Mark Bingham and Todd Beamer. • In addition, Foundation Board members serving in the U.S. military lectured the approximately 15 members of Boys Team Charity before/after the event to discuss matters of interest to them – subjects of historical significance involving the military and how America responded in the aftermath of 9/11.

Page 22

Program Summary cont. EXHIBIT B The third tenet of our mission is to improve the lives of veterans through our Yellow Ribbon support programs. • 9/11 is the single event that launched the War on Terror and encouraged individuals (e.g., Pat Tillman, his brother, Ryan Hall, and additional Los Gatans) to enlist. California had more service members involved in the War on Terror than any other state. • Every adult American – military or otherwise, remembers where they were that day. 9/11 affected all adult Americans in some way, which is evidentiary of its significance. • Many in our community knew Todd Beamer, Mark Bingham, and their families personally. • Several families appeared in our audience with family members deployed to the Middle East in the War on Terror, including one who attended the 2022 program and whose family member was KIA in Afghanistan. • Feedback from attendees was that they found the program informative, moving, healing, reflective, and inspirational. Former Mayor Ristow's remarks provide a significant testimony to the importance of this event. • The audience benefiting from this endeavor transcends beyond the veteran community. Children learn of the most significant tragedy in recent American history. • Furthermore, hearing stories of extraordinary acts of courage serves to be inspirational to all. Yellow Ribbon Program Every Friday morning, Dr Clyde Horn meets with veterans through the Foundation's "Wounded Healers Program" on a pro bono basis. Dr. Horn is a Vietnam War Combat Veteran and Purple Heart recipient. He networks veterans to discuss issues of emotional support and topics of interest to veterans. An average 20 veterans - mostly from the Los Gatos area, appear for Friday morning breakfasts. An additional 25 veterans (some of whom are disabled and unable to travel,) participate in the "Wounded Healers" program through telephone support. Finally, a Veterans Meetup will be held on August 10 to include 40 Veterans. Networking Veterans is critical towards establishing a support system vet-to-vet and taking a bite out of suicide.

Page 23

   Inclusions/Attachments 2023 REMEMBERING 911 Program 2023 REMEMBERING 9/11 Event Photos Link: https://honoravet.org/remembering-9-11-2023-tribute-event/ 2023 REMEMBERING 9/11 Event Program Replay: https://vimeo.com/869834074 2023 REMEMBERING 9/11 Event Invitation Trailer: https://vimeo.com/user91489174/invite-to-remember-911 Major General Kent Hillhouse U.S. Army (Ret.)Report Submitted by Ellen Manzo on Behalf of the Foundation BoardJuly 30, 2024July 30, 2024

Page 24

REMEMBERING 9/11Flame of Liberty Memorial5:00 PM - 6:15 PMSunday, September 10

Page 25

Ellen Manzo <ellen.manzo@gmail.com>2024/25 Town of Los Gatos Community Grant Application from the VeteransMemorial & Support FdnEllen Manzo <ellen.manzo@gmail.com> Fri, Jul 26, 2024 at 1:17 AMTo: Ryan Baker <RBaker@losgatosca.gov>Hello Ryan,The Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation submitted its application to the Town of Los Gatos CommunityGrant committee this evening. We would like the committee to take note of the following responseto question12.Question Title12.Does your project align with one of the following 2023-2025 Council strategic priorities?Emergency Preparedness                              Fire Protection                              Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts                      Community Where Older Adults ThriveEvents or Town-Wide EffortsCommunity Engagement                              Environmental Sustainability                                            Support the Needs of Unhoused Residents            None of the above                  Question #12 allows for only one selection of the Town's priorities. As we are proposing supportfor multiple programs, weview that our projects align with several of the Council's strategic priorities. They are as follows:9/11 TributeAligns with:Events / Town-Wide EffortsHealing Warriors –Aligns with:Community EngagementQuality of LifeCommunity Where Older Adults ThriveSupport of Veterans Enrolled in Addiction Treatment & Intensive Care Outpatient PgmAligns with:Community EngagementQuality of LifeStand DownAligns with:Work with Partners to Support the Needs of Unhoused Residents         Community EngagementQuality of LifeCommunity Where Older Adults ThrivePlease confirm that you have received both the grant application and this clarification for question #12 at yourconvenience.Thank you,Ellen Manzo7/30/24, 3:12 PMGmail - 2024/25 Town of Los Gatos Community Grant Application from the Veterans Memorial & Support Fdnhttps://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=533c9d4e55&view=pt&search=all&permmsgid=msg-a:r-3400348922719076955&simpl=msg-a:r-34003489227190769551/2

Page 26

Ellen ManzoVolunteer Exec Board MemberVeterans Memorial & Support Foundation203-561-8888Meet the Veterans Memorial & Support FoundationMeet Members of the Veterans Memorial & Support Fdn BoardView the Flame of Liberty MemorialRemember 9/11 - 20th Anniversary Tribute7/30/24, 3:12 PMGmail - 2024/25 Town of Los Gatos Community Grant Application from the Veterans Memorial & Support Fdnhttps://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ik=533c9d4e55&view=pt&search=all&permmsgid=msg-a:r-3400348922719076955&simpl=msg-a:r-34003489227190769552/2

Page 27

2024-25 Community Grant Application for Non-profit Organizations1 / 9Q1Please provide your contact informationName of coordinator for this proposal Volunteer Executive Board Member Ellen ManzoName of organization Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation, a 100% fullyvolunteer 501 (c)3 nonprofit for which 100% of donationsaddress the Foundation’s missionAddress 481 North Santa Cruz Avenue, Suite 250City/Town Los GatosState/Province CAZIP/Postal Code 95030Email Address ellen.manzo@gmail.comPhone Number 203-561-8888 (cell)Q2Organization's EIN#EIN #46-1338469Q3Title of your proposal2024/25 Yellow Ribbon ProgramsQ4Amount of grant funding requested (up to a maximum of $10,000)$10,000 (maximum award)#20#20COMPLETECOMPLETECollector:Collector: Web Link 1 Web Link 1 (Web Link)(Web Link)Started:Started: Thursday, July 25, 2024 10:47:32 PMThursday, July 25, 2024 10:47:32 PMLast Modified:Last Modified: Thursday, July 25, 2024 11:10:50 PMThursday, July 25, 2024 11:10:50 PMTime Spent:Time Spent: 00:23:1700:23:17IP Address:IP Address: 70.114.234.21370.114.234.213Page 1: Deadline for submission: Wednesday, July 31st at 5:00 p.m. Application guidelines and rules:

Page 28

2024-25 Community Grant Application for Non-profit Organizations2 / 9Q5Please provide a concise one sentence overview of your proposed program (i.e. what will you be spending the moneyon, for whom, and why?)The Veterans Foundation requests Town funding for Yellow Ribbon Programs that are in direct alignment with our mission. These programs will educate the Los Gatos community on the most tragic event in America’s recent history and improve lives, one Veteran at a time.

Page 29

2024-25 Community Grant Application for Non-profit Organizations3 / 9Q6Briefly describe how this project fits within the goals and mission of your organization.The Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation has three tenets of its mission. They are to:1. Build/maintain a world-class memorial in the heart of Silicon Valley that delivers honor, respect, gratitude, and healing to those who served. (Accomplished - The Flame of Liberty Memorial, dedicated 6/15/2019, and our commitment to its ongoing maintenance.)2. Educate Silicon Valley communities on the sacrifices borne by those who serve.3. Improve the lives of active service members, veterans, and their families.1) THE 2024 9/11 TRIBUTE EVENT TEAM INVITES LOCAL SCHOOL AUDIENCESIn direct support of the 2nd tenet of our mission, the Veterans Foundation intends to host a 9/11 Tribute on the anniversary of the most tragic day in America's recent history, September 11, 2001. The focus of the 2024 9/11 Tribute is to engage local community students in our Middle and High Schools who were not alive on September 11, 2001, in addition to faculty, parents and community members. 2) "HEALING WARRIORS" INITIATIVE BRINGS EMOTIONAL HEALING TO VETERANS The Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation runs a program known as "Healing Warriors." Dr. Clyde Horn, a certified semi-retired therapist and a Vietnam War combat Veteran, leads this program with a personal touch. Approximately 50 Veterans are enrolled in the Healing Warriors program today. Each Friday morning, about 20 Veterans gather under Dr. Horn's leadership to discuss issues of interest to Veterans and on topics of emotional healing. Others, unable to participate in person due to disabilities or an inability to travel, and, in some cases, relocation out of the area, participate and receive support remotely. In 2024/25, the Foundation intends to enlarge the local exposure and attendance of this program and has the goal to double the attendance of onsite Veteran participation. The Foundation also wants to provide seminars on topics surrounding healing: PTSD, managing the emotional effects of trauma, and more.3) SUPPORTING VETERANS REQUIRING CARE ENROLLED IN ADDICTION TREATMENT & INTENSIVE CARE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM (IOP)The Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation supports Veterans living at the Veterans Hospital, requiring full-time care and enrolled in the Addiction Treatment Services and the Intensive Care Outpatient Program. The Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation will deliver the clothing and hygiene products that participants need. In addition, the Veterans in this program are engaged in a weekly gardening activity that returns therapeutic benefits to patients. Veterans can take home seasonal greens/fruits/vegetables that are ready for picking and are the fruits of their efforts so they can learn the benefits of healthy eating and have farm-to-table options. Clothing, hygiene products and supplies are needed to keep the garden thriving. 4) STAND DOWN THREE-DAY EVENT SUPPORTING THE HOMELESS & VETERANS' NEEDSThe County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency, Veterans Service Office will host the 2024 Stand Down at Santa Clara Fairgrounds from Wednesday, October 2 – Friday, October 4. The US Dept of Veteran Affairs estimates that 299,000 veterans are homeless, and more than 500,000 experience homelessness over the course of a year countrywide. Veteran homelessness is a severe issue. In past years, we have served 300 – 425 veterans from Santa Clara and neighboring counties during Stand Down weekend. The Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation is committed to improving Veterans' lives. The majority of attendees are homeless and as a result make up the uncounted residents of Santa Clara County. The goal is to help these Veterans relaunch their lives onto paths of improved recovery.

Page 30

2024-25 Community Grant Application for Non-profit Organizations4 / 9

Page 31

2024-25 Community Grant Application for Non-profit Organizations5 / 9Q7Fully describe your proposed program, what you intend to deliver, and how you plan to accomplish it.(Make sure to alsoinclude how the need for the program was identified; the target audience and number of people that will participate; thedirect benefit to the Los Gatos community)1) THE 2024 9/11 TRIBUTE EVENT TEAM INVITES LOCAL SCHOOL AUDIENCES The Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation will host the 2024 9/11 Tribute on Wednesday, September 11, at the Los Gatos Civic Center in front of the Flame of Liberty Memorial. The Flame of Liberty Memorial includes a 9/11 Memorial that honors Los Gatos High School Alumni – Mark Bingham and Todd Beamer, two local 9/11 heroes who were aboard United Flight 93 and who voluntarily attempted to take back cockpit control from terrorists. The program will honor survivors, victims, first responder heroes, and, in particular, our hometown heroes, Mark Bingham and Todd Beamer.The Foundation has successfully hosted three 9/11 programs to date. Those in attendance have been extraordinarily complimentary relative to the program and have encouraged us to continue our efforts surrounding 9/11. For the first time in our community, the upcoming 9/11 Tribute will be held midweek on 9/11 early in the day. (See flyer supplied under separate cover.) Discussions are underway with the Fisher Middle School and Los Gatos High School Principals to encourage student attendance. In 2023, student participants were on stage to announce the names of the 40 innocent victims aboard United Flight 93. The reception of parents and students was so positive that it gave birth to the idea and importance of engaging the schools' attendance and teaching students about a tragic day in America's history.We plan to deliver a program that will engage students as the primary target participants, as well as other community members and we’re hoping school administrators will take advantage of the Foundation’s efforts. Today's elementary through high school students were not alive when 9/11 occurred. Our goal is to educate the next generation on the significant actions two local Los Gatos High School alumni voluntarily took in support of fellow Americans and the importance of their courageous actions to our country. Their story is compelling and certainly close to home, most especially to Los Gatos High School attendees. • Anticipated participation: 500+ local students, faculty, parents, public.• Funding for this program is for advertising, supplies, venue setup, photography, and video recording, all of which will extend the message to those unable to attend during workweek hours.2) "HEALING WARRIORS" INITIATIVE BRINGS EMOTIONAL HEALING TO VETERANS The "Healing Warriors" program is already underway. The 2024/25 plan calls for advertising the program more to community Veterans and their families. Dr. Horn intends to introduce the program to Veterans at local colleges (West Valley College, De Anza, and San Jose State) with the objective of encouraging Veterans who served in the War on Terror to join us. The local colleges cater to rotational student bodies that have to become informed of this valuable resource. • Anticipated participation: 50 existing participants with an incremental 20 local veterans totaling 70.• Funding for this program includes advertising and educational materials. 3) SUPPORTING VETERANS REQUIRING CARE ENROLLED IN ADDICTION TREATMENT & INTENSIVE CARE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM (IOP)Members of the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation are already engaged in providing support to Veterans at the Palo Alto VA Hospital. Our members drive Veterans to and from healthcare appointments, deliver companion care to senior Veterans, and are in direct contact with the hospital's Volunteer Directors. The needs of the veterans enrolled in Addiction Treatment and Intensive Care

Page 32

2024-25 Community Grant Application for Non-profit Organizations6 / 9Outpatient Program are real. The Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation will secure Target gift cards redeemable for hygiene purchases and seasonal clothing (jogging pants/tops, warm clothing/accessories, summertime clothing, and sun protective items. Our care packages support their recovery and engagement. The IOP volunteer committee likes to send out seasonal care packages to veterans. We often pick up donated items from voluntary services to complete our care packages and send them to our IOP community. (This winter, warm blankets were delivered to Veterans.)The Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation will secure gift cards from a garden nursery to purchase soil, fertilizers, seeds and other gardening products. 4) STAND DOWN THREE-DAY EVENT SUPPORTING THE HOMELESS & VETERANS' NEEDSThe Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation intends to join the County of Santa Clara's Veterans Service Office in supporting Veterans over the three-day event. There, about 50 agencies will gather to support veterans to make their lives a little easier. Some will collect a bag of groceries, paperwork to secure a housing voucher, legal assistance with the DMV, a pair of military fatigues designed for those in a wheelchair, personal grooming and healthcare checkups. • Attendees are from Los Gatos and communities within Santa Clara County. As this event targets the homeless in a big way, it is difficult to identify residential status for anticipated attendees. • Funding for this program is requested for the creation of printed materials in addition to providing supplies. A WORD ABOUT SUPPORTING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY America's Military and Military Reservists, no matter where they reside, support this country in times of natural disasters, protecting our shores, conflict, or war. They show up on assignment to do their part, no matter where that might be. They arrive on the scene where so ordered. That suggests that the guy or gal from Alaska, Hawaii, and possibly New Jersey will appear in Los Gatos to support, for example, a Los Gatos-based natural disaster if assigned to do so. Los Gatos has every right to expect support from America's military during a disaster. Some veterans, following their service, may be fortunate to have careers that allow them to afford the Los Gatos lifestyle. Others will not. The outlined programs serve Los Gatans, including Veterans of Los Gatos and nearby communities. A veteran in Sacramento is not likely to travel to Stand Down in Santa Clara, for example, for support or to attend Dr. Horn's Friday morning Healing Warriors program. So, in short, the Veterans we serve may or may not all live in Los Gatos. Some likely live nearby. We recognize that The Town of Los Gatos Community Grant criteria affords more point consideration to those programs directly serving the Los Gatos community. We urge the Town of Los Gatos to recognize the freedom and safety that Los Gatans enjoy, the nights they can sleep soundly compared to those watching our shores who are experiencing sleepless nights, and the reduced terrorist threats Los Gatos faces, as some of the many benefits that the Los Gatos community enjoys thanks to the efforts of America's military. This recognition is not just a formality but a crucial step in acknowledging the sacrifices made by our military. Furthermore, research suggests that communities demonstrating support for American patriotism reduce the likelihood of terrorist residency in that locale. Research results reinforce the steps Los Gatos has taken to support The Flame of Liberty Memorial, its past support to veterans, and the importance of Los Gatos waving the American flag wherever and whenever it can. The Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation members are committed to supporting all Veterans, regardless of race, color, creed,

Page 33

2024-25 Community Grant Application for Non-profit Organizations7 / 9gender orientation, and U.S. home address. As a community, we believe that the Town of Los Gatos is crucial in supporting those whohave done so much for America. We hope the town will continue to see the value of our work and do its part. The support of the Los Gatos community is vital in advocating for the rights and well-being of America's veterans.Q8What is your project timeline?1) 9/11 Tribute – Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM PDT2) Healing Warriors – Every Friday over the course of the year, holidays excluded. Advertising throughout the year. Seminar dates TBD.3) Support of Veterans Enrolled in Addiction Treatment & Intensive Care Outpatient Care Program – In advance of fall/winter and spring/summer seasons. 4) Stand Down – October 2 – 4, 2024

Page 34

2024-25 Community Grant Application for Non-profit Organizations8 / 9Q9Please give a breakdown of your program budget. If additional funding is needed to cover the full cost of the proposal,please identify what sources of funding will be covering those additional costs.1) 9/11 Tribute – Budgetary Need: $7,400.Budgetary costs are anticipated to be approximately $13,400. We have obtained two sponsors who will donate $3,000 each to supporting our 9/11 Tribute program thereby covering $6,000 of an $13,400 expense leaving a delta of $7,400 uncovered.Graphic Art Design, Invitations, Marketing Collateral / Event Programs & Brochures = $3,700Advertising & PR - Media Outlets = $1,500Online social media, Website Updates [9/11 event details, photos/video] = $2,000Photography, Photo Storage, Video Creation & Editing = $1,900Venue and Supplies [Staging, chairs, truck rental, sound system, etc.] = $4,3009/11 TRIBUTE EVENT TOTAL = $13,400 2) Healing Warriors – Budgetary Need: $2,000 $2,000 for advertising and published educational materials (that we would attempt to obtain at cost.)3) Support of Veterans Enrolled in Addiction Treatment & Intensive Outpatient Care Program – Budgetary Need: $2,000Required funding: $2,000 for the seasonal gift cards: $1000 in advance of fall/winter and $1000 in advance of spring/summer.4) Stand Down – Budgetary Need: $2,000 $2,000 in support of items for homeless Veterans whom we, along with other Veteran organizations in Santa Clara County, will deliver support to on that weekend. Q: Your anticipated expenses exceed the potential grant award. Where will you make up for the shortfall? A: As mentioned above, we have secured sponsor support for the 9/11 Tribute. Our Foundation members continue to actively fundraise for the remaining balance of our Liberty Capital Campaign construction loan and support needed for our Yellow Ribbon Programs. We do this through individual solicitation and seeking grant support for funds that remain unsecured so that we can achieveour mission. Simply put: we will make up our shortfall through continued fundraising efforts and sweat equity akin to what we have done as a 100% volunteer organization over the last 12 years.

Page 35

2024-25 Community Grant Application for Non-profit Organizations9 / 9Q10How will you evaluate the success of the program?Evaluation of program success will be elementary. 1) 9/11 Program – The audience continues to grow yearly, which tells us that the community appreciates what we deliver. We will assess the program's success from: • Student, faculty, parental, and sibling participation.• Community feedback and interest in repeating the ceremony.2) Healing Warriors – Time is the one element in life that has no recovery. The "Wounded Healers" program has an active and engaged audience. Some veterans jump through hoops to secure transportation to the program or rideshare to attend and are very disappointed when travel is impossible. • Returning veterans to the Friday meetings is positive feedback that participants benefit from and appreciate the program. • Participation retention and growth.3) Support of Veterans Enrolled in Addiction Treatment & Intensive Outpatient Care Pgm • Feedback from the direct voluntary involvement of members from the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation who will be working with Veterans in the garden.4) Stand Down• The number of Veterans in attendance. • Feedback from the direct voluntary involvement of members from the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation.Q11Please articulate how your proposal and/or the mission of your organization aligns with the Town of Los Gatoscommitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.All Los Gatans, regardless of race, color, creed, gender, or sexual preference, were affected by terrorist actions on 9/11. Some directly, some indirectly. And all Los Gatans could be threatened by military actions of other countries against the United States. The U.S. Department of Defense is race, color, creed, gender, and sexual preference blind in establishing its military. Our Foundation benefactors are active service members, veterans, and family members who serve or have served in the military and have defended the freedom we enjoy daily because of their service. By default, then, we are race, color, creed, gender, and sexual preference blind in those whom we support. Period.Q12Does your project align with one of the following 2023-2025Council strategic priorities?Events or Town-Wide Efforts