Milpitas nonprofit gets ready to go back to school

Driven to help

It may be summertime, but the folks at Family Giving Tree are already thinking about going back to school. The Milpitas-based nonprofit recently gave shout-outs to its 2023-24 Back-to-School Classroom corporate sponsors.

ASML Silicon Valley has led consecutive back-to-school drives to support Family Giving Tree every year since 2017. This year ASML volunteers have doubled their backpack build quantities. In March, the software company donated an electric pallet jack to the nonprofit, along with funds to purchase a second.

Citizens Equity First Credit Union (CEFCU) has partnered with Family Giving Tree for both Back-to-School and Holiday Wish Drives since 2010, deepening their support in 2020 by becoming truck and van sponsors. The credit union expanded funding in 2023 to include Back-to-School Drive sponsorship, recently hosting a backpack build for CEFCU employee volunteers at PayPal Park Stadium.

Family Giving Tree’s 2023 Back-to-School Drive aims to provide 28,000 Bay Area students with the backpacks and supplies they need to succeed in a classroom setting.

Hot weather safety

Earlier this month, Milpitas residents got a taste of what is likely to be a sweltering summer. Santa Clara County has resources available online in five languages for residents to help understand the risks of hot weather and stay safe during heat waves. The website, www.preparescc.org/heatsafety, includes information on cooling centers, which the city opens to the public during extreme weather at locations like the Milpitas Library.