Former Menlo Park police commander Dominick Peloso and his wife Mary Ellen Peloso are winners of the Golden Acorn community service award, the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce announced August 24.
The Pelosos, who are among eight winners of this year’s Acorn awards, are recognized for creating the Adopt a Family program through Nativity Church in Menlo Park. The program provides dinner, gifts and other aid to needy families at Christmas time, said Andrew Tagg, chair of the Acorn awards, which recognize community service and business excellence in Menlo Park.
The awards will be presented at the 34th annual Golden Acorn Awards banquet, set for Thursday, September 21, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Stanford Park Hotel.
Other award winners are:
• Organic food entrepreneur Jesse Ziff Cool and Tyco Electronics, the Albert J. Giannotti Award for business excellence. Ms. Cool owns the Flea Street Cafe in West Menlo Park, jZcool eatery in downtown Menlo Park, and the Cool Cafe at the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford.
• SRI International, a new award for innovation and technology advancement.
• The Peninsula Open Space Trust, the nonprofit organization award.
• Mayor Nicholas Jellins, the public service award.
• Aaron Vanides of Menlo-Atherton High School, the scholarship award.
For more information and reservations to the awards banquet, call the Chamber of Commerce at 325-2818.
