Silicon Valley One - Fall 2007 - (Page 20)

By Kerri Walsh What If? The Olympic gold medalist’s fund offers hope and resources for children T his is what I know to be true: Silicon Valley is an amazing place. It’s a place of beauty and sunshine, character and prestige. It’s a place I am honored to call home, if only in my heart these days. Beyond all these very special attributes, our region is home to a number of leading companies—from HewlettPackard and Intel to Apple and Google—that have changed the world through their technological innovations. It is no wonder that Silicon Valley continues to attract the most creative and entrepreneurial individuals from across the world. Yet, Silicon Valley will never reach its potential until we do far more than attract top talent seeking to launch the next technological revolution. We must also provide all children within our community with the opportunity to realize their dreams. This is the fundamental belief that led me to found the Chase the Stars Foundation in 2004. My foundation aims to make a difference for children by supporting high-quality programs and events that directly improve children’s well-being, health and quality of life. I believe that all of us who care about the future of Silicon Valley must respond to one very important challenge: Can we provide the children in our community with the same caliber of opportunities available to the adults who live here? Just imagine what it would mean for the future of our region if students in Silicon Valley had access to legitimate support systems in the fields of education, technology, athletics and arts that rivaled—let’s aim big here—the Google campus. Places for our children to go and be inspired. Safe havens to nurture each child’s inherent curiosity and desire to be more than they are. Places to learn about the past, present and future. Places to be active, places to use their creative minds, places that can teach children what is needed to turn a dream into reality. Silicon Valley is a unique place that enables individuals and teams to dream big and to work hard to make those dreams come true. I hope we can work together to create a Silicon Valley where all children have an opportunity to experience this in their lives, as well. There is nothing more precious or hopeful than the hearts and minds of children. Let us step up to the challenge of providing high-quality opportunities for each child to thrive and achieve so that the Silicon Valley of the future will be brighter than ever before. one c 20 O n e Silicon Valley Community Foundation fund advisor and Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh is widely considered to be the best female beach volleyball player in the world. innovation through philanthropy

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Silicon Valley One - Fall 2007

From Emmett D. Carson Home Run Back From the Brink Checking In on Corporate Giving Central Valley Air Gets a Breather Why I Give Five Minutes With ... Full Faith and Credit Giving and Receiving What If?

Silicon Valley One - Fall 2007

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