John Jordan honored as United Way of the Wine Country 2014 “Philanthropist of the Year"

SANTA ROSA, Calif. - March 14, 2014 - PRLog -- United Way of the Wine Country honored John Jordan as the 2014 Philanthropist of the Year at the Annual Tocqueville Society  luncheon sponsored by the Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant on March 7th. John Jordan, CEO of John Jordan Vineyard & Winery, was recognized for his extraordinary generosity and the impact of his work for our community.

“In honoring John Jordan and the Foundation he created in 2012, we recognize a philanthropist whose vision and mission aligns with United Way; whose commitment to our community is outstanding, and whose efforts truly improve lives locally.” , said Mike Kallhoff, United Way CEO.

John Jordan’s support helped to expand United Way’s Schools of Hope early grade literacy initiative to three new schools and is enabling United Way to expand the reach of the Earn It! Keep It! $ave It! initiative serving low to moderate income individuals and families, particularly migrant farmworkers, receiving free tax preparation and financial education.

During an eloquent speech at the event in which he referenced Alexis De Tocqueville’s philosophy of advancing the common good and creating opportunities for a better life for all, Mr. Jordan said “As members of the community we have an obligation to play an active role in improving the lives of our most vulnerable fellow citizens. In my view, this is what America is all about. People voluntarily coming together to make our communities better places.”

United Way’s Tocqueville Society involves and cultivates influential leadership; encouraging and cultivating major gifts with which to strengthen our community.

Annually United Way recognizes a philanthropist for their exemplary support of United Way and community. Along with his support of the education, income and health focuses of  the local United Way, Mr. Jordan has also provided extraordinary support for several causes including: The Career Technical Education Fund supporting workforce training programs in Sonoma County schools; Healdsburg Education Foundation helping over 300 children attend the English Language Learners Summer Academy; Teachers Wishes Grants funding items and programs such as field trips and microscopes and exposing children to colleges and career programs; support for a new pediatric dental wing for Santa Rosa Health Centers; 10,000 Degrees Sonoma  providing early college exposure, readiness workshops, mentoring and financial aid to students with high financial need and high motivation to attend post-secondary school.

A unique award was presented, reflecting the opening language and look of the Star Wars movies to signify the positive legacy Mr. Jordan is creating. Attendees of the event included past Philanthropists of the Year award winners: Suzy and Mike Marzalek, Jane and Herb Dwight, Thea and Mark Dolan, and Marilyn and Henry Hansel.

ABOUT: United Way of the Wine Country works to advance the common good by mobilizing the caring power of our communities to address underlying problems, improve lives and build a healthy vibrant community by focusing on issues surrounding education, income and health. For more information, visit United Way of the Wine Country online at www.unitedwaywinecountry.org.

ABOUT: The John Jordan Foundation supports programs that improve quality of life for our most vulnerable fellow citizens; placing special emphasis on those that provide the disadvantaged with the tools to succeed educationally and professionally, learn more at http://johnjordanfoundation.org/.