Bloom Energy : New San Jose run to support Valley Medical Center Foundation

Carl Guardino dressed up in a Batman costume on a hot Wednesday at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, but if he really had a secret superhero identity, it probably would be 'Running Man' or 'Captain Fundraiser.' His mission this time was to launch Bloom Energy's Stars and Strides Community Run, a 5K/10K race with a goal of raising $250,000 for the Valley Medical Center Foundation.

'When I was a kid growing up here in San Jose, my superheroes were as close as a television screen or a comic book,' said Guardino, Bloom Energy's executive vice president of government affairs and policy. 'Over the past 455 days, we have learned much more about our real-life superheroes. Instead of costumes, they wear hospital smocks, surgical gowns, lab coats and face masks.'

The inaugural run will take place in downtown San Jose on Aug. 22, starting and finishing at Discovery Meadow, with plans to move the race to Fourth of July weekend starting in 2022. Guardino said Bloom Energy's goal is to have 4,000 participants at what is expected to be Santa Clara County's first post-pandemic, outdoor running event. Plans for the race have been in the works for months, and Santa Clara County health officials have given it the green light, citing the county's high vaccination rate and plunging COVID-19 infection rate. Registration is open at www.starsandstridesrun.com.

Michael Elliott, the VMC Foundation's interim executive director, said money raised through the race would help the foundation better respond to emergency requests from healthcare workers for equipment and other needs. 'It's a game changer for us to have this kind of community support,' he said.

Of course, it's no surprise that Guardino is spearheading the effort. As CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, he launched three races to raise money for nonprofits and community efforts, including the wildly popular Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot, which until it paused for COVID-19, had drawn more than 20,000 participants the past several years. His other successes there included the Santa Run to support Christmas in the Park and the Hearts & Soles Run, which was initially launched to put salad bars in schools.

'We've been too far apart for far too long in this pandemic, and it's wonderful to be able to celebrate bringing people together again,' said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, who promised to lace up his running shoes for the race. 'And bringing people together for a good and important cause, nobody does that better in our valley than Carl Guardino.'

HERE'S YOUR SHOT AT FUN: With less than 55% of Santa Clara County residents between the ages of 12 and 17 vaccinated, county leaders are trying a new tactic to get shots into more young arms: Make vaccination the pathway to having an awesome time with your friends.

An initiative announced Wednesday will raffle off more than 100 tickets to upcoming events to teens who gets a COVID-19 vaccine at specific county vaccination sites over the next few weeks. Prizes include tickets to SAP Center concerts by Bad Bunny, Harry Styles, the Weekend and Justin Bieber as well as Golden State Warriors games at Chase Center in San Francisco, a Steph Curry-autographed ball and a Klay Thompson-autographed jersey.

Eight to 10 winners - getting two tickets each to that week's events - will be announced on Instagram Live every Wednesday, starting next week and running through July 28. The full schedule of what's being raffled when, plus other details, is online at sccfreevax.org. Already vaccinated? No problem. You can just show proof of your vaccination and bring a friend to get vaccinated to enter.

Mattias Dominguez, a 17-year-old Oak Grove High School student who spoke at a press event Wednesday afternoon, said he lost his high school baseball season and most of his football season because of COVID-19 restrictions. His advice to his peers is to get vaccinated, not only to protect their older family members but to do the kinds of things young people do, like cruising Monterey Road on weekends. 'I know I'm trying to have fun and everyone else is trying to have fun,' he said.

CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH: The African American Community Service Agency's 40th annual Juneteenth in the Park celebrations are already underway in San Jose this week, heading toward the big event on Saturday at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. The festivities, starting at noon and running until 7 p.m., will include a performance by Grammy Award-winning jazz and R&B vocalist Ledisi, as well as performances by Lorianna Gardere, Lena Byrd Miles and Le'Andria Johnson.

Events started last Sunday with a kickoff brunch at soul food eatery Jackie's Place and an event Monday at Nirvana Soul showcasing authors and artists. Virtual events have included panels with elected officials and there also have been virtual panels with elected officials, online yoga and a comedy show. You can sign up to take part at www.sjaacsa.org/juneteenth/home.