This year, Covid protocols prevent us from meeting in person to celebrate the season with each other. But we can, as we have all year, adapt and make something beautiful that meets this moment. Please put on your best holiday attire, or ugliest holiday sweater, pour yourself some egg-nog, and sign into the first (and hopefully only!) Band December Zoom Dinner meeting at 6:15 PM on Wednesday, December 16th. We will do small group chat and mingle in breakout rooms for a half hour to 45 minutes and then re-assemble to hear several unusual presentations.

In the past we’ve pushed back on requests to have charities or non-profits pitch the Band. Band members are generous and give to charities outside the Band. As with all organizations, we have to have focus; and our focus is to help startups. But, Covid has been an uneven taker. Some have lost their lives, others their livelihoods. In the spirit of this national crisis, and of the season, it seems apropos of this extraordinary moment to make an exception to our previous practice and have a session devoted to presentations from four local charities that serve those particularly impacted by Covid.

MISSION ASSET FUND is empowering small business innovation in the age of COVID; SAMARITAN HOUSE is leading the fight against poverty in San Mateo County to keep everyone in our community fed, clothed, healthy, and housed; MEALS ON WHEELS SAN FRANCISCO provides network of services to address senior hunger and isolation; and THE BURWEN EDUCATION FOUNDATION is providing fully funded 4-year college scholarships to economically disadvantaged students graduating from Mountain View High School.