REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Recommendation of a Nominee or Nominees for the 2026 Honorary Holiday Tree Lighter
Report
BACKGROUND
Each year, the City of Santa Clara hosts a Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Central Park on the first Friday evening in December. In 2026, the event will take place on Friday, December 4, to celebrate the holiday season and recognize community service.
As part of this annual tradition, the City honors an individual, family, or business for their service and contributions to the Santa Clara community by selecting them as the Holiday Tree Lighter. The Parks and Recreation Commission traditionally assists in identifying and recommending nominees to the Mayor for consideration. The selected honoree will participate in the ceremonial lighting of the holiday tree and receive a commendation recognizing their contributions to the Santa Clara community.
DISCUSSION
The Holiday Tree Lighter is selected in recognition of their community service, generosity, and contributions to the City of Santa Clara. In evaluating potential nominees, the Commission should consider the following criteria:
1. The nominee's connection to the City of Santa Clara, including residency or other significant ties to the community.
2. The nature and extent of the nominee's community service and contributions to the Santa Clara community.
A list of prior Holiday Tree Lighters from 2007 through 2025 is enclosed as Attachment 1. At the October meeting, the Commission will consider the 2026 nominations and recommend the nominee(s) to the Mayor for consideration.
The following individuals and organizations have been nominated for consideration as the 2026 Honorary Holiday Tree Lighter:
1. Andrew Ratermann (Nominated by Commissioner Forte):
Andy Ratermann has devoted decades to public education, youth development, civic leadership, and community service in Santa Clara. His involvement has ranged from elected public service and leadership of local nonprofit organizations to international student exchanges, Scouting, Rotary, historic preservation, and community celebrations.
Mr. Ratermann has served on the Santa Clara Unified School District Board of Trustees since 2004. Through the Santa Clara Unified School District, he led student delegations to Ireland and China, providing students opportunities for educational and cultural exchange. Through the Santa Clara Sister Cities Association, where he served as President, he led student delegations to Portugal and Japan. Youth development and international understanding have been recurring themes throughout Mr. Ratermann’s community service.
Mr. Ratermann has also been a longtime leader in the Rotary Club of Santa Clara, serving as Club President in 2015-16 and as President of the Santa Clara Rotary Foundation for three years. He chaired 12 community blood drives in partnership with the American Red Cross.
Mr. Ratermann has contributed directly to Santa Clara’s civic, cultural, and historic preservation efforts in numerous capacities. He served on the City of Santa Clara Historical and Landmarks Commission and for more than a decade on the board of the Santa Clara Historic Preservation Society.
Mr. Ratermann is a founding member and board member of the nonprofit organization that revived the Santa Clara Parade of Champions.
Across these activities (and many more), Mr. Ratermann’s involvement has maintained a consistent focus on service to Santa Clara, its schools, young people, civic institutions, cultural traditions, and community organizations.”
2. Joann Silva (Nominated by Commissioner Souza):
Joann Silva has served as a lead volunteer at the Santa Clara Senior Center for nearly 30 years, she serves approximately 15 hours per week. You often find Mrs. Silva in the kitchen at the Senior Center making sandwiches to sell at the snack bar, serving food to seniors, organizing files, taking inventory and so much more. Mrs. Silva takes pride in her service and works alongside staff and other volunteers. Joann Silva was the Honorary Tree Lighter for the City in 2007.
3. Emily Adorable (Nominated by Commissioner Chu):
Emily Adorable is a Santa Clara resident, taught in the Santa Clara schools, served on the Santa Clara Unified School Board, president of the Women’s League and Chair of Showtime and served on the Library Foundations and Friends Boards for many years. Ms. Adorable was honored as the District 2 Person of the Year in 2019. Ms. Adorable has been a long-time supporter of Health & Wellness at the Senior Center, and involved in various activities in the community, and a champion for her grandchildren.
4. The Santa Clara Rotary Foundation (Suggested by Staff):
The Santa Clara Rotary Foundation (Foundation) has partnered with the City since 2012 to serve the City of Santa Clara youth, seniors, and nonprofit organizations. From 2012 - 2019, the Foundation partnered with the City to organize the Silicon Valley Barbeque, an annual fundraising event benefiting local non-profits and community organizations.
Since 2022, the Foundation has supported the City’s the Art & Wine Festival by coordinating beer and wine service, engaging more than 100 volunteers annually, and facilitating over $150,000 in grants to local nonprofit organizations such as Wilcox and Santa Clara HS PTSA, Kathleen MacDonald PTSA, Santa Clara Police Activities League, Santa Clara Schools Foundation, and more. Through its continued partnership and volunteer efforts, the Foundation exemplifies Rotary's motto, “Service Above Self,” and demonstrates a strong commitment to the Santa Clara community.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Parks & Recreation Commission’s agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at 408-615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Recommend a nominee or nominees to the Mayor for consideration as the 2026 Honorary Holiday Tree Lighter.
Staff
Reviewed by: Kimberly Castro, Recreation Manager
Approved by: Damon Sparacino, Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. Honorary Holiday Tree Lighter List 2007 to 2025