July 31, 2002     Los Gatos, California Since 1881 Photograph by Kristopher Gainey The Butter Paddle is celebrating its 35th anniversary. Volunteers (standing, from left) Susie Schechter, Marge Brigadier and Gail Joseph, and (bottom row, from left) Pinky Laffoon, store manager Mary-Lynne Bernald and Gail Arvay are among the stores 'employees.' For 35 years volunteers have run the Butter Paddle to support EMQ By Shari Kaplan Its name rolls off the tongue as easily as jam spreads on a warm muffin. The Butter Paddle, one of the best not-so-kept secrets of the West Valley, just celebrated its 35th anniversary this summer. Its equally longtime "employees"—none of whom earns a penny—also want to celebrate the loyalty of the Saratoga and Los Gatos communities, which has helped the eclectic kitchen shop in Saratoga reach this milestone year and, in the process, raise thousands of dollars yearly for a local non-profit, EMQ Children & Family Services. Formerly known as Eastfield Ming Quong, the organization provides a spectrum of services—with both residential and day programs—for children and teens dealing with emotional and mental health problems, sexual abuse and chemical dependency. Programs also exist to help families. EMQ maintains campuses in Los Gatos, Campbell and San Jose. "It's pretty rare that you see a small retail store like this operating successfully for so many years," says Los Gatan Susie Schechter, a longtime Butter Paddle volunteer and former president of the EMQ Junior Auxiliary, which runs the shop. "Even in these difficult times we're still able to give a good donation. For that, we thank our customers." "In the last 10 years, we've given over a million dollars to EMQ," adds Mary-Lynne Bernald of Saratoga, another longtime Junior Auxiliary member and the Butter Paddle's present manager. Her position in the store, like those of the various merchandise buyers, rotates to a different person each year. Currently, the volunteer corps numbers around 65, most of whom reside in Saratoga, Los Gatos, San Jose and Cupertino. Newcomers are always welcome, Schechter says. The Butter Paddle came about in 1967 as a permanent source of revenue, as opposed to relying on sporadic or annual fundraising events, to provide children at Eastfield Ming Quong with special gifts, fun outings and holiday-themed parties. The store paddled through several locations since then, settling in at its current home of 14510 Big Basin Way more than a decade ago. "When people hear that we're all volunteers, they almost always buy something," Bernald says, smiling. Over the years, those "somethings" have become more and more diverse. Originally, the Butter Paddle was predominantly a kitchen shop, but it's progressed to include candles; bath and body items; picture frames; throw rugs; accessories and stuffed animals for babies and toddlers; crystal; pillows; framed artwork; leather goods; and merchandise reflecting upcoming holidays—especially Christmas, at which time the store is decked out "like a fairyland," according to Schechter. In keeping with its original theme, the shop also carries ceramic, acrylic and metallic tableware; kitchen and household gadgets; wine accessories; a pantry full of jams, cookies, spices and oils; and several shelves of cookbooks and other reads, including Shared Tastes, a collection compiled by Butter Paddle volunteers featuring their favorite recipes. "Our customers know our prices are the same as other stores, but when they buy here, they're helping children at the same time," Schechter says. Along with raising money for EMQ, which is their first goal, the volunteers also gain a camaraderie that Schechter says makes the work doubly rewarding. "Sometimes we do fun things together like women's overnights, or socials with our husbands," she says. "It's a close-knit group because we do spend so much time together." "Volunteering gives us a common ground," adds Bernald. "I think we're all cheerleaders for the Butter Paddle." The Butter Paddle can be reached at 408.867.1678.