Carmel Magazine

Carmel Magazine HO15

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A Fitting Memorial to a Beloved Daughter SHORTCUTS GIVING BACK 78 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 5 O g Mandino, author of "The Greatest Salesman in the World," wrote: "always seek out the seed of triumph in every adversity." That piece of advice could very well have been inspired by the Giammanco family. In 2010, Genevieve "Gen" Giammanco, a vibrant, 17- year-old standout Salinas High volleyball player was fatally injured in an automobile accident. Her family requested that mourners make donations to a volleyball fund in lieu of flowers. From that gesture, the Gen Giammanco Foundation was born. The foundation's mission is "to provide finan- cial support to student athletes to assist in their pursuit of both scholastic and athletic success." In its four year existence, the foundation has raised and distributed more than $107,000. "We target athletes who don't have full-ride scholarships," says board member Jean Stivers. "A grant enables them to play." The bulk of the funds are generated by the California Beer Festivals, held each year in Ventura, Novato, Aptos and San Dimas. The events are run by Gen's brother Vincent and her mother Annie. The foundation has no paid staff. "We're very lean," says Annie Giammanco. "100 percent of the money that comes in goes back out in the form of grants to individuals and schools." Grants are not limited to volleyball play- ers: 2015 recipients included participants in bas- ketball, football, lacrosse, softball and track and field programs. Proudly displaying a Gen Giam- manco Foundation banner in their gyms are Aptos, Carmel, Monterey and North County High Schools, plus Cal State University Monterey Bay and San Benancio Middle School. Everyone involved feels that the foundation is a fitting memorial to Gen. "She was a dynamo, on and off the court," says friend and teammate Ellie Larronde, who went on to play at Chico State and today is an assistant coach at Salinas High. "I wouldn't be the player I am today without her influence." Gen's mother Annie thinks her daughter would definitely approve. "This is exactly what she would have wanted," she avers. To learn more, visit www.gengiammancofoundation.org. —Michael Chatfield Five years ago, star Salinas High School athlete Gen Giammanco was killed in a car accident. A foundation in her name, created by her family, now provides scholarships.

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