Piexoto Family

Ashley, Marisela and Dick Peixoto at the cancer fundraiser at California Grill.

For The Peixoto Family, It’s Personal

Piexoto Family support of Dominican Hospital

The Piexoto family’s longtime commitment to the Santa Cruz County community now extends to the Katz Cancer Resource Center at Dominican Hospital. For the past three years the Peixoto family’s local businesses, Lakeside Organic Gardens and the California Grill of the Pajaro Valley Restaurant, have teamed up to hold a fundraiser at their restaurant in Freedom. The event was originally inspired by the exceptional care Marisela Peixoto received at the Katz Cancer Resource Center shortly after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. One hundred percent of the proceeds benefit the Katz Cancer Resource Center at Dominican and Jacob’s Heart Cancer Resource Center in Watsonville.

“We are committed to our local community and want to ensure excellent cancer care is available close to home for adults and children,” Dick Peixoto said. “It is our community and we try to do our part by investing in it.”

Each year, the Peixoto family goes beyond their fundraiser and makes significant donations to the Foundation. Both family businesses recently joined the Annual Healthcare Sponsorship program as Presenting Sponsors – a commitment of $25,000 each year.

“As a result of the Peixoto family’s generosity, hundreds of cancer patients will see an improvement in their quality of life and have increased access to professionally-led programs,” said Anne Lindberg, Katz Cancer Resource Center program coordinator. “We are so grateful for the Peixoto family and their amazing support.”

About the Peixoto Family

The Peixoto family began farming in the Pajaro Valley in the late 1800s. As their passion for harvesting the riches of the soil grew, the family decided to convert to certified organic in 1996. Today Lakeside Organic Gardens has grown to become the largest family-owned and operated, solely organic vegetable grower/shipper in the U.S. You can find their produce in local Santa Cruz County grocers, specialty stores and restaurants. www.lakesideorganic.com

Dick Peixoto and his daughter, Ashley, partnered to open the California Grill in 2012. Ashley says she loves bringing local farm products to the tables of the people in her community. Menu features include her father’s locally grown organic vegetables, other local farmer’s fruits and vegetables, and locally sourced meats. In 2013 the Grill received the Golden Carrot Award in Santa Cruz County for its extensive salad selection and healthy choice options. In 2014, the Grill received Business of the Year from the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce in Agriculture for generous contributions throughout our community. www.californiagrillrestaurant.com