

Lina Broydo/Special to the Town Crier

Guests at the Feb. 26 Cioppino Feed included, from left, Rotary Club of Los Altos President Jerry Moison, Michael and Socrates Manoukian, and event chairman Ron Labetich.

The Rotary Club of Los Altos’ annual Cioppino Feed raised more than $30,000 for student veterans at Foothill College pursuing their college degrees while they integrate into community life after their service.

Proceeds from the event, held Feb. 26 at the Garden House in Shoup Park, support a scholarship fund established in the name of the late Capt. Matt Manoukian, son of Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Socrates “Pete” Manoukian and Associate Justice Patricia Bamattre-Manoukian of Los Altos Hills.

Capt. Manoukian was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan in 2012.

“His heroic service to our country and his sacrifice will live forever in the hearts of all who cherish freedom,” said Jerry Moison, president of the Rotary Club of Los Altos.

Judge Manoukian and son Michael attended the event, which drew 120 guests for cioppino, lasagna, crab, prawns and wine.

The Cioppino Feed raised money through auction items such as stays at a villa in Italy and a beach house in Capitola, dinner at Paella restaurant and tickets to a Golden State Warriors game.

Among the guests were nine Foothill students and former service personnel whose interests ranged from engineering to business management.

The evening featured appearances by David Granfard, Foothill College Veteran Resource Center graduate, and his Doberman partner, Sasha. Granfard is currently working on his master’s degree in human resources at Golden Gate University in San Francisco.

Granfard and Sasha served on U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus’ staff. Granfard worked as a linguist and intelligence liaison between the U.S. and Afghan governments, and Sasha trained as an explosives-sniffing dog.

Granfard rescued Sasha when their convoy car was hit by the enemy, and the soldier incurred major injuries to his leg and hip.

The Rotary Club of Los Altos honored Capt. Manoukian’s parents with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award.

Touched by the recognition, Judge Manoukian thanked attendees and read a letter he recently received from veteran Barrett Kemp, who sang the praises of Capt. Manoukian’s leadership and work ethic and expressed how much he had impacted his life.

To contribute to the Rotary Club’s efforts to support veterans, visit losaltosrotary.org or send a check to LAREF, PO Box 794, Los Altos 94023.