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Community Corner

Michael Gottwald and His Big Heart Honored by Mayor

Gottwald has raised more than $48,000 for local charities since 2007 and is Cupertino's biggest cheerleader for local youth sports.

Cupertino’s man with “a really big heart,” Michael Gottwald, was honored with a special proclamation from Mayor Gilbert Wong at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

Gottwald was recognized in part for raising more than $48,000 for numerous charities, mostly through his participation in fundraising walks around the region since 2007.

“A lot of you will see Michael around town asking for donations for charity all over,” Wong said. “He has a really big heart in him.”

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Gottwald was also honored for being the city’s biggest booster of local youth sports teams. The 1987 Monta Vista High School graduate is a fixture at Cupertino National Little League games and serves as scorekeeper for the Monta Vista Matadors baseball team.

Wong noted that Gottwald this year for Cupertino Little League's 50th anniversary, and his story, “Everyone Plays,” was featured in a local 2003 book about baseball, Sandlot Stories.

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Wearing his usual “uniform” of a purple cap and sweat jacket, this time each emblazoned with Relay for Life logos—one of the more than one dozen charities he supports—Gottwald accepted Wong’s proclamation to a standing ovation.

“I accept this award in honor of my hero and my inspiration, my dad, Rudy Gottwald. Thanks, Dad, for all you have done for me over the years,” he said, his voice cracking. “I also accept this award in memory of my beloved mother, Lee Gottwald. Thanks, Mom, for all you have done for me over the years.”

The American Heart Association has recognized Gottwald four years in a row for being the top individual fundraiser for its local Heart Walk, Wong said. This year, Gottwald will walk in the Oct. 8 event in honor of his Uncle Josef Gottwald and two Monta Vista sports figures who died unexpectedly in January— and 2009 graduate, David Kucera.

Other charities Gottwald is raising money for include the National MS Society, the March of Dimes, the Alzheimer's Association, the Arthritis Association and Autism Speaks.

Gottwald was also awarded Cupertino’s CREST Award (Cupertino Recognizes Extra Steps Taken) in 2009.

Reporter’s disclosure: Marino’s family has donated to Gottwald’s charity walks over the years, including this year’s Heart Walk.

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