The luncheon at the Fairmont Hotel attracted more than 750 people and marked the first time since its inception in 1995 that the Spirit of Philanthropy award has gone to someone who wasn't a corporate CEO. In fact, until 2004, when it was given to Bill Gates of Microsoft, it was called the Corporate Community Involvement Award.

JW, as he was widely known, died of brain cancer on Aug. 3 at the age of 16, but not before launching a drive to build what will be known as JW House at Kaiser Hospital's new facilities in Santa Clara.

The Bellarmine student started a drive for the facilities by raising $10,000 from friends and relatives in 2004. He then gave the money to his pediatric oncologist, Dr. Alan Wong, to build a home for families.

Wong had shared his own wish for such a home with JW, who then made it his wish as well.

JW's selfless efforts soon inspired others to work toward his dream.

Employees at Kaiser Hospital, where he was being treated, held a bake sale and the owners of the Plumed Horse in Saratoga staged a $5,000-a-couple dinner.

The most visible fundraising tool has been the blue rubber bracelets imprinted with JW's motto of "Never ever give up!"

One of the blue bracelets was placed at every table setting at the luncheon.

The nonprofit foundation has raised more than $700,000 of the estimated $1.5 million it will need to build and operate JW House on land donated by Kaiser.

"Somewhere from above, someone is smiling, and he's very grateful," said Anne Marie Knapen-Asnong, in accepting the 2005 Spirit of Philanthropy award on behalf of her son.

"Community Foundation Silicon Valley believed in Jan-Willem's wildest dreams and helped him take the first steps," Knapen-Asnong said.

"Jan-Willem loved your efforts and was grateful for giving good advice and dreaming big with him."

Knapen-Asnong spoke about her son's illness, his dream of a JW House and how he "never stopped dreaming like a child. He wanted to give back."

With her husband, Geert Knapen, and their twin daughters Elisabeth and Helena and younger son Alexandra sharing the stage with her, Knapen-Asnong assured everyone that "the love surrounding Jan-Willem gave him wings when he was literally dying.

"Having the land and the foundation gave him peace. He knew he could die in peace, knowing his friends would carry on."

JW's family was given a standing ovation when they walked on stage and another one when Knapen-Asnong finished speaking.

Michelle McGurk, director of communications for CFSV, said when discussions first started about the 2005 award, "it kept going back to JW and how much his life has touched our staff and board members.

"Before they were able to get nonprofit status, they came to us and set up a fund here to collect donations. JW, Anne Marie, Geert and Dr. Wong impacted our lives. We saw what was happening in the community as the story got out, as JW was featured in the media and the project took off.

"We haven't seen a grass roots philanthropic effort like this before in this area and not something led by a young person. It's been very, very inspiring."

McGurk said JW's "last year and a half showed us that anyone can make a difference in the community, no matter who they are."

The fact that JW inspired other youths was an important factor as well, McGurk said.

"A lot of kids have done projects at their schools supporting JW House. They'll grow up knowing what it means to be a philanthropist and what it means to give back to the community and volunteer," she said.

"Getting involved with volunteering at an early age is an indicator of being involved later in life. They will become the future board members and future staff for our nonprofits."

The decision to honor JW was made in July of this year and Knapen-Asnong assured everyone that JW was pleased to learn of the award.

In closing, Knapen-Asnong said as a mother, she wanted to share something with other parents.

"Take Jan-Willem's example home in your hearts and live it. And, never ever give up!"

For additional information on JW house, visit http://www.jwhouse.org. For additional information on Community Foundation Silicon Valley, visit http://www.cfsv.org.