The Holiday Fund represents some of the most important and fulfilling work our staff does every year, and we are proud to have completed our 21st campaign.

Every November we ask readers to contribute to the Pleasanton Weekly's annual giving campaign. The total is then distributed to nonprofit organizations throughout the Tri-Valley.

Though we live in an affluent area, there is still a need for these "safety net" groups. With inflation, astronomical utility bills and general economic uncertainty, many are struggling. Funding for our nonprofits that serve these individuals and families is critical.

Because the funding is unrestricted, meaning it doesn't have to be used for a certain project or expense, it can be used for anything. This is extremely helpful for the fund's beneficiaries.

This is the second year we have partnered with Pleasanton-based Three Valleys Community Foundation (3VCF), which acts as the fiscal sponsor for the campaign so donations are tax deductible. We are fortunate (and appreciative) that the foundation does not charge a fee to administer our fund, and even picks up the credit card fees if contributors don't include those when they donate. Since we donate our time and advertising space, 100% of the money raised goes directly to the nonprofits.

Checks in the amount of $10,302.67 were presented April 6 at the Rotary Club of Pleasanton's meeting to seven of the eight 2022-23 Holiday Fund beneficiaries. (Unfortunately, Open Heart Kitchen's representative didn't make it.) The organizations will all receive a second, smaller check from the donations made after the campaign ended.

The recipients are:

* Axis Community Health is the Tri-Valley's only provider of medical, dental and mental health services for individuals and families who have a low income or are uninsured.

* CityServe of the Tri-Valley supports the community by caring for people in crisis, coordinating resources between the faith-based community, nonprofits, schools, businesses and government agencies, and connecting volunteers in the community to nonprofits.

* Hope Hospice provides ethical hospice care, transition services for those not eligible for hospice, bereavement support for adults and children and end-of-life education to Tri-Valley families, regardless of insurance or income status.

* Open Heart Kitchen is the largest hot meal program of its kind in the Tri-Valley, feeding the hungry every weekday at multiple locations.

* The Pleasanton Partnerships in Education (PPIE) Foundation supports Pleasanton Unified School District students and staff with critical funding, grants and programs.

* Sunflower Hill provides housing and educational, therapeutic and life skills training for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in the Tri-Valley.

* Tri-Valley REACH (Resources Education Activities Community and Housing) provides facilities for adults with special needs.

* Valley Humane Society rescues and rehabilitates companion animals, champions responsible caretaking, shares pets' soothing affections with people in need of comfort and supports and preserves existing pet guardian relationships.

Thank you to everyone who donated. Look for the launch of the 2023-24 campaign in November.

News vs. opinion

A letter to the editor writer who took issue with my March 24 column, "From illogical to absurd" about decisions and actions of Pleasanton city councilmembers, called it "biased reporting".

However, there is a significant difference between reporting a news story and writing a column.

News stories provide impartial information to help readers understand an event or issue. Staff writer Christian Trujano's story about the March 7 city council meeting that was the subject of my column is a good example.

A column, on the other hand, is the author's opinion --- which is, by its very nature, a bias. Because opinion writers need to explain the reasons behind the point of view with facts, this type of writing helps readers form their own opinion and debate an issue.

What news reporting and opinion writing do have in common, though, is that both must be factually accurate and both hold value.

Holiday hiatus

I will soon be on a long-awaited vacation -- or "holiday" as they say in Europe --- with my husband, so "Around the Valley" will take a break too. Look for "What a Week," written by our editorial director Jeremy Walsh, in the Page 3 print space for the next several weeks. Au revoir! Arrivederci!