JW House Helping Families in Medical Crisis

Since 2019, the nonprofit JW House, an organization with deep roots in Santa Clara, located on 3850 Homestead Road in Santa Clara on the Property of Kaiser Hospital has been a charitable partner of choice for Santa Clara Parade of Champions (SCPOC). Their mission is to keep families together by offering a compassionate "Home away from Home" so that families can find respite and regroup to continue to care for their loved ones during Medical crisis. 

The years 2020-2022 of COVID impacted our nonprofits in ways no one could have predicted. At the height of the pandemic, JW House had to close their House to guests and Switch to take out services, The SCPOC Board of Directors donated $5K to support over 500 meals distributed by JW House Volunteers as Take away Meals for underserved families in medical Crisis.  JW has returned to their year-round “Dinner is Served” Program and Day and Overnight house stays. Year round SCPOC continues to volunteer, support and donate to JW House services. To learn more about the many ways services that JW Provides to the community, visit www.jwhouse.org.

American Legion 419: Veterans helping Veterans

Since 1932, the American Legion (AL419) has welcomed all branches of the US Armed Forces. Their veteran members offer fellowship, a place of respite and warm hardy meals to veterans, youth and the community. The hall can be rented and are often the site for community meetings, celebrations and memorials. Like AL419, SCPOC has a respect for our military, because it was originally founded by Larry Marsalli, a WWII veteran to welcome home our war heroes, honor their sacrifices and celebrate with community. Home is where we belong. That annual SCPOC tradition continues today. Our Nonprofit 501c3 raises money year-round to fund our Parade and Festival so that it is Free to the community to attend, but also to support our charitable initiatives of Youth scholarship and service, Veterans and Families in Medical Crisis.

In 2023, SCPOC and AL419, partnered up to create the Breakfast of Champions “Meet the Grand Marshals” Fundraiser. A nostalgic nod to our Parade’s past tradition of a community meal together. It was a success on many levels! A lovely multigenerational moment over a hot breakfast that gives back to our veterans. We look forward to making it our annual tradition.