City of Napa, California - First Mayor's Award of helping the underprivileged - Citizen of The Year
Certificate of Recognition - Napa County Families/Individuals in Crisis" 1999
North Napa, Rotary Club - Vocational Service Award - 1999
Certificate of recognition - "Make A Difference Day" - 2000
The Rotary Club of Napa, CA - The Heartbeat of Rotary Award - 2000 - 2001
California State Senate - Certificate of Recognition "Pay It Forward" Award - 2001
California State Assembly - Certificate of Recognition - "Pay It Forward" Award 2001
Seal of the Senate - State of California - 2001
California Legislature Assembly - Patricia Wiggins - "Women In The Wine Country" - 2002
KVON - Chamber of Commerce - Napa Citizen of The Year - 2002
The Vine 99.3 - Community Hero - 2002
Playground Fantastico - 2002
Peace Table - Lifetime Member
Daily Point of Light Award - President Bush - February 20, 2004
The Jefferson Award - American Institute For Public Service - 2005
Bay Area Jefferson Award winner: Molly Banz, founder of Molly's Angels, a grassroots
organization in Napa County that provides funds and services to individuals and families in crisis.
How she started: Banz, a former restaurateur, was running Molly's Seafood and Grill in 1986
when she learned about a group of senior citizens who had been flooded out of their mobile
homes. Eager to offer the displaced seniors a warm place and a hot meal, she invited them for
dinner. Word of their plight spread, and soon she collected enough money to feed the seniors for
month. Then, in 1999, a Napa family lost three members and their home to a fire. The surviving
family members could not afford a funeral for their loved ones, so Banz set a pickle jar near the
cash register and asked people to donate a dollar to cover the costs. More than enough money
was raised to pay for the funeral - the surviving relatives were able to use the remainder for a
down payment on a new home.
And now: Molly's Angels became a nonprofit organization in 1999. Today, 2,500 families donate
a dollar each month to the fund. True to Banz's motto that nothing is too big, Molly's Angels touch
the lives of hundreds of people each year. Contributions have done everything from helping a
couple finish their dream home after the husband suffered a stroke to granting a dying child's last
wish to see the film "Harry Potter."
Her inspiration: Banz says she was born with a yearning to help others. As a child growing up
in a poor community, she used to pick fruit for neighbors and babysit their children. These days,
she says more people than ever seem to need help - families who have had their electricity cut off
and the elderly who have no one to drive them to the doctor or grocery store. "My inspiration is to
stay healthy so I can do this for another 20 years and help more people," Banz says.
Who has made the biggest impact on her: Banz says she sees "angels " all around: people
who donate their services, such as massage therapists, movers and house cleaners. "It's a
spiritual thing," she says. "You don't have to be a flying angel. If it's in your heart to help people,
you can be an angel."
In her own words: "Everyone can make a difference in their community," says Banz. "We would
really love to see people in other communities start groups like ours. We are willing to help them
get set up."
What others say about her: "Molly is as good as they come," said George Altamura Sr., a
supporter of Molly's Angels. "She has an ear for everyone. Her presence is felt in Napa every
day."
To find out more: Call (707) 224-8971 or go to the Web site, www.mollysangels.com.