LEFT : Graduates of the Morgan Hill Youth Leadership Program and their families enjoy a luncheon prepared by Mike & Mary . ABOVE : Mike speaking with new Superintendent of Schools , Steve Betando . RIGHT : Mike discusses his paella vegetarian dish .
Mike and Mary Cox can ’ t do philanthropy the easy way . Easy would be writing a sponsorship check for $ 2,000 . Hard – for most of us – would be to go buy $ 2,000 in groceries , open your house , personally cook and serve a gourmet meal to 200 people , and turn it into a charity event that brings in up to 10 times the money .
That ’ s the Cox way , with the added benefit that breaking bread together frequently connects people for a common cause , with lasting results .
Mike & Mary ’ s unique philanthropic model has helped meld a community and fill the coffers of local organizations such as Morgan Hill Community Foundation , Friends of the Morgan Hill Library , AAUW , Rotary Club of Morgan Hill , Morgan Hill Historical Society , and numerous science and education programs .
In addition , the Mike-Mary team hosts , almost monthly , some type of volunteer celebration , graduation , donated auction dinner or salute for a community job well done . All involve warmth , fine food and hospitality at the couple ’ s home , Villa del Lago . The beautiful home on 2.5 acres with 700 feet of shore on Silveira Lake , a body created when Llagas Creek filled in an old rock quarry in southwest Morgan Hill .
Many an organization has made the futile attempt to reimburse the Cox ’ s for their expenses , but if Mike is cooking filet mignon for 100 , he ’ s also paying . His network of generous friends , wife Mary , and son Steve , kick in big time . That might mean George Chiala ( Farms ) shows up with a truckload of portabella mushrooms , or bakery owner Tamara Chukes stays up all night making hundreds of panna cotta desserts .
Last year ’ s LMH Leadership Excellence Award tribute honoring local restaurateur Rosy Bergin saved $ 20,000 in expenses because of the “ energy ,
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