Joe and Jean Olivera were born and grew up in Santa Maria, built a life, a family, friendships, and along the way developed an inspired record of philanthropy for their hometown.

The Olivera's generosity includes a “leadership gift” gift to Allan Hancock College's Building Student Success Capital Campaign in 2002. They also funded an endowment to provide a scholarship each year to students from their alma mater Santa Maria High School to attend Allan Hancock.

Joe has also given of his own time and talent, having served on a wide range of commissions and foundation boards.

Looking back on his life, Joe said his family never set out to donate so much to the community.

“I just said I would help. It just adds up over a period of time,” he said.

Joe can trace his family roots to the Santa Maria Valley back several generations, to Portuguese immigrants who came to the region to farm.

“My family's been in farming for years and years until the Great Depression,” Joe said, recalling the two cattle ranches he remembers the family selling in his childhood.

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Seeing people struggle to make a living during the depression helped inspire Joe's desire to help the less fortunate, and to help the community he was a part of.

“When I got to an age where I could help others, I did.”

Joe was born in the Olivera's house on West Main Street, which was “way out in the country” at that time.

The city grew up with the boy, as he attended local schools. It was in high school that Joe met Jean. The two dated briefly, before reconnecting after school. They decided to marry, but time was short: World War II had begun, and the army drafted Joe.

“I wanted to enlist, but no one would take me because I'm color blind. After a while though, they called me up.”

The couple used Joe's two-week furlough for a honeymoon. Shortly after that, he was deployed to the Pacific Theater.

Fighting in Saipan, Joe was injured, taking wounds to his face, chest and leg. He would spend the next 14 months in hospitals.

He returned to Santa Maria, and a job with the Southern California Gas Company.

Jean had taken a job with Lockheed in Glendale, building airplanes for the war effort, but moved back to Santa Maria when Joe returned.

The couple began building their future, buying investment property and starting a family.

At first the properties were residential, but Joe tried his hand at commercial properties beginning around 1962.

Joe eventually bought the Stowell Center. The move suddenly put him in the dry cleaning and laundry business. He said it would be common for him to work a full day at the gas company, before filling the evening and weekend shifts at his commercial businesses.

“As things keep going along, you keep trying things,” Joe said, recalling the numerous businesses he has dabbled in, as he acquired more commercial space.

While her husband worked, Jean looked over the Olivera home, and handled some of the residential property management.

Knowing Jean was there for the children, Joe worked harder, and stayed involved with community organizations.

“If not for Jean, I couldn't have accomplished what I did,” Joe said, when asked about his wife's contributions.

Joe said his “make money to give it away” philosophy has meant his family has gone a little longer between new cars, and taken fewer vacations over the years, but that giving has its own rewards.

The Olivera's may have come close, but Joe admits that you cannot help everyone. Over time, Joe said he tried to focus his philanthropic efforts towards those things that he and Jean felt would do the most good for the community, namely the community college, and the hospital, two institutions that are open to every citizen.

Even after decades of service, ranging from being an Elks Rodeo ticket volunteer for 20 years, 17 years on the city Planning Commission, more than 50 years in the Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce, to board positions on the Allan Hancock, Marian Medical Center and the Santa Barbara foundations, Joe still sounds sheepish when discussing the Celebrate Philanthropy! honor.

“I always felt I could give back what the community had provided me. I didn't feel I'd done anything to justify any particular concern or pat on the back. I just did it,” he said.

Giving, Joe said, is just something some people tend to do naturally. Some people tend not to give, but Joe said that philanthropy can and should be fostered, even coerced out of people.

“If you don't ask for something, there's a good chance people won't give you anything. The need has to be told to people,” Joe said.

Editors Note: This article is the first in a three-part series, profiling the recipients of the community's inaugural Celebrate Philanthropy! honors. The honorees will be formally recognized at the Celebrate Philanthropy! Luncheon, sponsored by the Santa Maria Times, Nov. 6 at the Santa Maria Country Club. Call 346-6123 for more information.

October 21, 2008