Uesugi Farms, Gilroy-based grower of peppers, tomatillos, sweet corn, Napa cabbage, strawberries, pumpkins, squash and beans, hosted their ninth annual fundraiser dinner for the Michael Aiello Memorial Scholarship Fund on September 24th, in which they raised $30,000 in net proceeds.
The Michael Aiello Memorial Scholarship Fund was started in 2008, after Pete Aiello’s brother, Mike Aiello, was lost in a tragic accident in 2007. Ever since their first fundraiser in 2008, Uesugi Farms has hosted a fundraiser event dinner every September at their Pumpkin Patch, to raise money and award scholarships to high school seniors interested in agriculture.
“Mike was just like me, growing up in the family business as our farm manager. After he passed away, my whole family got together to think of the best way to honor his legacy. That’s how we started the Michael Aiello Memorial Scholarship Fund to award local high school seniors pursuing college degrees and careers in agriculture,” said Pete Aiello, General Manager at Uesugi Farms.
Throughout the years, Uesugi Farms has built a very strong scholarship fund and invested money so that it grows every year. From their first scholarship which was $1,000 to their most recent scholarship reaching $20,000, the fund continues to get bigger, affording more students the opportunity to apply and receive aid for college. Since the inception of the Michael Aiello Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2008, Uesugi Farms has awarded 19 scholarships, totaling to $123,000.
Uesugi Farms’ scholarship program is available at Live Oak High School and Ann Sobrato High School in Morgan Hill, San Benito High School in Hollister, Anzar High School in San Juan Bautista, and Gilroy High School and Christopher High School in Gilroy, California.
“Since so many of our applicants are immensely talented with impeccable academic records, it’s difficult to make a decision and award only one person. We see how special these kids are, which is why we aim to offer between two and four scholarships every year. We’re really excited about this year’s net proceeds reaching $30,000 and, with similar yearly fundraisers, hope to award a scholarship large enough to provide a full ride in the future,” said Aiello.
Around 300 people attend Uesugi Farms’ fundraiser dinner every year. Included in that group are Uesugi employees, business associates, family members and friends who get involved by helping with food prep in the kitchen, selling raffle tickets and providing assistance at the live auction.
“We’re so appreciative of the dedicated, hardworking 20 to 30 volunteers that help make this event happen. Their efforts continue to go to a good cause and truly help our fundraiser grow every September,” said Aiello.
Contact:
Pete Aiello
Tel: 408-842-1294