Hidden Villa of Los Altos Hills will present the 1999 Duveneck Humanitarian Awards Sept. 18.
The gala evening will honor five individuals devoted to humanitarian and environmental issues, causes that reflect the lives of Hidden Villa founders Josephine and Frank Duveneck.
This year's honorees are the Rev. Cecil Williams and his wife Janice Mirikitani of San Francisco, John and Tashia Morgridge of Portola Valley, and Christy Holloway of Stanford University.
The guests will be honored at a dinner ceremony beginning at 5 p.m. at Hidden Villa.
Williams has served as pastor of Glide Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco for more than 35 years, overseeing a congregation of 9,000 noted for its racial, ethnic and religious diversity.
During this time, Williams and Mirikitani, who oversees the Glide Foundation and its programs, have fostered hope and opportunity throughout the city.
Morgridge is chairman of Cisco Systems, the fastest-growing company in the computer industry. He oversees its strategic direction as well as its educational and legislative initiatives. Despite these responsibilities, he and Tashia volunteer and serve numerous organizations, including the Children's Health Council, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, Peninsula Open Space Trust, Rail to Trails Conservancy and "I Have a Dream." Their Morgridge Family Foundation is dedicated to supporting educational and conservation causes.
Holloway is highly regarded for her strong leadership in a variety of environmental organizations. She served as president of the Peninsula Open Space Trust and as a leader in the Junior League, Environmental Volunteers and Peninsula Conservation Foundation. She is on the board of the Yosemite Association.
A special art exhibition and sale featuring creative impressions of Hidden Villa by local artists will also be part of the festive evening.
The largest privately-owned wilderness preserve in Santa Clara County, Hidden Villa is a 1,600-acre educational farm in Los Altos Hills which offers a variety of programs for children and adults teaching multicultural understanding and environmental awareness.
In addition to its summer camp and environmental education programs, Hidden Villa operates a series of community programs, a hostel and an organic farm.
Tickets for the Sept. 18 awards ceremony are available at $150 per person, of which $105 is a tax-deductible contribution to Hidden Villa.
All fees benefit Hidden Villa's programs. Call 949-9702 for tickets or information.