For Immediate Release:

 

Golden Apples Awarded

Recognizing the Contribution of Business to Education the Port of Redwood City and Honey Bear Trees will receive the Chamber’s Golden Apple Awards this year for their commitment to local education.  The Golden Apples will be awarded at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner and Awards Recognition Banquet, Thursday, February 1 at the Hotel Sofitel.

The Golden Apple recognizes businesses that strive to make a difference in City Schools.   Nominated by Jo-Ann Sockolov, the President of the Redwood City Education Foundation, the Port of Redwood City is being recognized for not only being a lead sponsor in the RCEF’s premiere fundraising event “Benefit for a Brighter Future”, but with their support they were able to also expand the “Music for Learning” program to reach 4,000 students. The Port also sponsors regular visits by historic tall ships which offer educational tours and programs on their vessels to local school children.

The Port has a history of supporting the schools as for more than 25 years, they have conducted its annual “Port Poster Contest” as an opportunity for Redwood City Elementary school grade children to compete for prizes while learning about their hometown port. The “winning” school also receives a generous donation from the Port.

In making the nomination Sockolov said, “We are proud to partner with the Port of Redwood City. Its Commissioners and staff are stalwart advocates of our students and schools and they have chosen to make a solid investment in our children’s and our community’s future.”

Also, receiving a Golden Apple is Honey Bear Trees whose nomination by Jane Taylor, Chair, Local Business Program, of the Redwood City Education Foundation, recognizes them for their enthusiastic support of Redwood City Schools. Honey Bear Trees has a school fundraising program.  They donate 15% of the sales of Christmas trees to a particular school or educational foundation when a customer mentions it when purchasing their tree. Taylor said, “I think what I find significant, is that Honey Bear Trees started their fundraising effort in 2007, and they continued to expand the program as the down-turn in the economy started and when many small businesses were eliminating any charitable giving that they were doing.”

The Chamber’s Golden Apple Award was started 16 years ago by its Education Committee to recognize what business does for the educational community. 

Golden Apple Award Recipients the Port of Redwood City and Honey Bear Trees each exemplify a commitment to education and what great partnerships with the business community can accomplish.

Nori Jabba Named the 2011 Business Woman of the Year

The Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce Business Woman of the Year Award for 2011, co-sponsored by United American Bank in Redwood City, will be presented to Nori Jabba. Nori is Director of Community Affairs for DMB Associates.

Nori obtained her Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from the George Washington University in 1991 and then began working for the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. At PG&E she traveled throughout the state studying and forecasting land use and development patterns and later managed real estate transactions and strategic planning for the northern half of PG&E’s service territory.

Nori came to DMB in 2006. In her role as Director of Community Affairs for DMB Associates Nori is responsible for all local sponsorships and contributions as they demonstrate DMB’s commitment to the community and the improvement of the local quality of life. Nori has a thorough understanding of the local and regional community as well as the planning and development business. She listens to and communicates with community members and industry experts to help make Redwood City a great place to live. 

A member of the Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce Nori has been co-chair of the Ambassadors and in 2008 named Ambassador of the Year.  She serves on the Kainos Benefit Golf Tournament committee, sits on three other committees and is a stalwart worker on the Annual March Madness membership drive. Nori’s hand reaches far into the community being involved in Rotary, Police Activities League, Historic Resources Advisory Committee for the City of Redwood City and the Girl Scouts of America.

Nori lives in Redwood City with her husband and three daughters.

She will be presented the Business Woman of the Year Award at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner and Recognition Banquet February 1, 2012 at the Hotel Sofitel.

The recipient of the BWYA will receive $1000 from United American Bank, which will be donated to a local charity of her choice. United American Bank continues to make an impact as a great partner in the business community in helping to not only recognize deserving woman, but this year to again help a local charity meet their financial goals.