Donor Spotlight: Sue and Chris Saso

Our monthly feature celebrating the people who make our community special.

Sue and Chris Saso believe that every person deserves the opportunity to live well. Through their support of JFS Silicon Valley, they're helping make those same opportunities possible for others by providing support that allows individuals and families to build healthier, more hopeful futures.

Q: What first inspired you to become connected to JFS Silicon Valley?

A: We first learned about JFS when they were asking for toy and home goods and gift card donations for people in need around the holidays. We also loved the backpack campaign they ran for school supplies. And then we met some wonderful people who either work or volunteer for them, and the service provided within the community felt impactful and inspired me to get involved.

Q: What is it about JFS’s work that feels most meaningful to you?

A: We love hearing the stories from the JFS recipients at the annual fundraiser because they demonstrate how impactful the kindness and support JFS gives them makes a difference in peoples’ lives who have had to leave their home countries and arrive here with very little. As part of our involvement, we see how dedicated the instructors are to help people learn English, get jobs, have enough food and a place to live, as well as provide them with resources to live a healthy life in America.

Q: When you think about the impact of your giving, what do you hope it makes possible for the people JFS serves?

A: We hope our contribution helps provide healthy food options from the food pantry, and we also hope it helps enhance the robust services provided to our elderly population who need support services in their homes. Additionally, providing social opportunities and programs for the aging population with the goal of reducing isolation and loneliness is meaningful and makes a difference.

Q: Why is giving back to the community important to you?

A: Tikkun Olam! We are blessed to have good health, healthy food, and lots of opportunities to live a fulfilling life. With the blessings we have, it’s important for us to share our good fortune with others so they can have a chance to live well. Also, we are safer and stronger together, so supporting all of our community members brings people together and look out for each other. That’s the only way to live in our book.

Q: Just for fun: What book is on your nightstand, or what show are you currently watching?

A: We are watching Ted Lasso Season 4 because, well, we have to! And we just finished watching The Bear. I’m currently reading Pachinko by Min Jin Lee – finally after all these years, and she has a new book out.