The Valparaiso Bowl (Valpo Bowl) football game, played between Sacred Heart Prep and Menlo School on Nov. 9, once again raised funds for the Peninsula Bridge program.

Proceeds from the game's gate and concessions amounted to nearly $25,000, plus an $20,000 in matching gifts from Circle of Champions donors, according to Bridge spokesman Maureen Garrett.

Sacred Heart Prep defeated Menlo School 31-28 in the 10th annual bowl game benefiting Peninsula Bridge, a tuition-free, four-consecutive-summers program for middle-school students from under-resourced communities on the Peninsula. For the past 20 years, both schools have been sites for the program, which has served more than 6,000 students.

Several years ago, former Atherton resident Bill Shaw, father of two Sacred Heart Prep graduates, organized the Circle of Champions.

This year, in honor of Mr. Shaw's longtime efforts, Peninsula Bridge is inaugurating Bill's Books. The fund will donate up to $500 to randomly selected Bridge alumni to use toward the cost of books in their freshman college year.

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