PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gardner Health Services Celebrates Its 32nd Annual Navidad en la Comunidad
Spreading Holiday Joy Across the Bay Area
SAN JOSÉ, CA, December 2025 – Gardner Health Services proudly hosted its 32nd annual Navidad en la Comunidad (Christmas in the Community), a long-standing board-driven holiday tradition that brings warmth, dignity, and joy to under-resourced families across San José, East Palo Alto, and Gilroy, CA. This year, 874 families received generous food baskets, age-appropriate toys and gift cards, and access to community resources—continuing a legacy of service that began in 1993.
Each December, Navidad en la Comunidad supports households living at/or below 200% of the federal poverty level, offering relief during one of the most financially stressful times of year. Volunteers, staff, sponsors, and community partners came together once again to make the event a meaningful and memorable experience for all who attended.
“Navidad en la Comunidad reflects the heart and mission of Gardner Health Services,” said Rebecca, Navidad en la Comunidad Event Coordinator. “It is an honor to stand with our community, ensuring that families feel supported, seen, and celebrated during the holiday season.”
“What began as a small act of service has grown into one of the most important events of our year,” shared Bill Roth, Chair of the Gardner Health Services Board of Directors. “We are grateful to everyone who contributes—from our sponsors to our volunteers—for helping us continue this beautiful tradition.”
Thank You to the 2025 Navidad en la Comunidad Sponsors
Gardner Health Services extends its deepest gratitude to the generous organizations whose support made this year’s event possible:
The CARES Foundation, Cardenas Markets, Hennessy Dental, Hunger at Home, Daylight Foods, Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley, United Site Services, and Randy & Cathy Warshawsky.
A Special Acknowledgment to Our Volunteers
Gardner Health Services also celebrates the incredible volunteers who dedicated their time to sorting toys, assembling food baskets, preparing gift bags, directing traffic, and ensuring every family felt welcomed. This year a total of 121 volunteers spread out across three locations and gave 647 hours of their time to ensure Bay Area communities felt the holiday spirit. Their compassion and hands-on support remain the heart of this initiative year after year.
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About Gardner Health Services:
In 1967, the Alviso community, aided by Stanford Medical School and the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity, built the Alviso Family Health Center, a community clinic to fill the gap of non-existent medical care for Mexican farm workers. When services were expanded into the City of San José, the name was changed to Family Health Foundation of Alviso, Inc. Around the same time, a group in the Gardner neighborhood, aided by Stanford Medical School, and Sacred Heart Church organized Gardner Health Center, a community clinic helping cannery workers. In 1997, Gardner Health Center and the Family Health Foundation of Alviso, Inc. affiliated. Today, Gardner Family Health Network, Inc., DBA Gardner Health Services provides medical and mental healthcare to over 43,437 patients throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo counties with an operating budget of $103.5 Million. Learn more at: gardnerhealthservices.org
Media Kit:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1awJfE9cCJfeVS1z5xE-I938QUMW7JhUT?usp=drive_link