Local Rotary Chapter More Than Doubles Its ''100 Family Christmas'' to Bring Good Cheer to 200+ Families in Austin, Seattle and Monterrey, Mexico; Austin and Seattle Technology Entrepreneurs and Long Time Friends Team Up Again

Business Wire, Dec 11, 2005

AUSTIN, Texas -- More than two hundred in-need families, including some 650 children, can look forward to a very merry Christmas as a result of a program started last year by the Austin Westlake Rotary Club, and two technology entrepreneurs from Austin, Texas and Bellevue, Washington.

Last year one hundred Austin area families enjoyed a surprise Christmas with sacks of toys for some 250 children, gift cards to local stores and holiday groceries. This year, the sponsors have increased their funding to enable a "200+ Family Christmas," including about 650 children. In addition to one hundred Austin area families, a hundred families will be selected from the greater Seattle area and more from Monterrey, Mexico.

Sponsors of the "200+ Family Christmas" program are long time business associates and friends: Austin-based Nicholas Matzorkis, technology entrepreneur and CEO of ZabaSearch, and Seattle-based Naveen Jain, CEO of Intelius. Coordinating donations to Austin area families is Dr. Arlen Hanle, a past president of the Austin Westlake Rotary Club who with Nicholas Matzorkis created the original "100 Family Christmas" idea in 2004. Said Dr. Hanle, "Our hope is to expand the program every year. Since the Jain Family lives in Washington State, greater Seattle was a logical addition. We also added Monterrey, Mexico because of our close relationship with its local Rotary Club in Santa Caterina."

Austin families have again been nominated by Dr. Joyce Bannerot, Principal of Popham Elementary School in the Del Valle School District. The Seattle area Rotary Clubs, working in conjunction with Hopelink, are coordinating distribution to the greater Seattle area families. Leading the project is Sally Grey, Rotary District Governor in Washington State.

According to Nicholas Matzorkis the goal is to expand this holiday project annually to include families from other cultures and cities around the world in which there are active Rotary Clubs.

The "200+ Family Christmas" project was made possible by Austin Westlake Rotary Club, Seattle area Rotary Clubs, Hopelink in Seattle and was funded by Naveen and Anu Jain of Bellevue Washington and Nicholas and Susan Matzorkis through the Matzorkis Family Foundation. Also contributing are venture capital counselor, Nicholas Rockefeller, California attorney Robert Zakari, Michelle H. Jordan, Intelius Inc and ZabaSearch.com.