Historic building donated to the Placer Community Foundation
Newcastle, Calif. – In the small town of Newcastle, where history is woven into the fabric of its buildings and streets, one family’s story stands out-a tale of perseverance, hard work, and community. Today, that story takes on new meaning as Placer County native Jerald Saladana, 88, donates his family’s historic building to the Placer Community Foundation, ensuring his family’s legacy will continue to impact the region for generations.
Saladana, whose family history stretches back to a small village near the Swiss border, recalls the journey that brought his grandfather to the United States. “My grandfather immigrated to New York and went through Ellis Island with only $7 in his pocket,” Saladana recounts.
From Vineyards to Fruit Orchards: A Family’s American Journey
After arriving in New York and purchasing an English-Italian dictionary to learn the language, Saladana’s grandfather traveled across the United States, eventually settling in Newcastle. With limited means but boundless determination, he established a winery on 40 acres of land. However, when Prohibition arrived, the vineyard gave way to fruit trees, marking another chapter in the family’s history.
“My father grew up in Newcastle, living in the home built by his father, and started what would become the D and S Cash Grocery,” Saladana reflects. “My mother brought joy to the town, playing the piano for silent movies in the first movie theater, which was owned by my father and his business partner, just steps away from the building I’m donating today.”
The Heart of the Community: A Building With Many Lives
The building being donated to the Placer Community Foundation has seen many transitions over the decades, serving as a grocery store, hardware store, and more. For Saladana, the building is more than bricks and mortar; it is a symbol of history, community, and resilience.
“As a child, I’d run up the hill here to the grocery store, and I remember the farmers gathering after work, sharing stories, buying their beer, and just being part of this place,” Saladana recalls fondly. “The shelves along the wall are still here, and they’re full of memories.”
A Legacy of Values and Community Impact
Saladana’s family has always valued hard work and community service. His mother, who was raised by a local family after her mother’s passing, was sent to the University of the Pacific in Stockton thanks to the generosity of a benefactor named James Francis Dudley. Dudley, instrumental in developing Newcastle’s fruit industry, made it his mission to ensure Saladana’s mother received the best education possible, a gesture that left an indelible mark on the family.
“My mother wasn’t spoiled, despite the generosity she received,” Saladana shares. “She was taught values that stayed with her all her life, and those values shaped my own commitment to giving back.”
The Decision to Donate: Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future
Over time, Saladana inherited the building from his parents. After years of managing the property and seeing it through various transitions, his declining health prompted him to think about its future. Having a long, treasured friendship with Placer Community Foundation CEO Veronica Blake, who guided him in other philanthropy decisions through the foundation, Saladana decided to donate the building, ensuring its legacy would benefit the community.
“The more I thought about it, the more I realized it was the right thing to do. This way, the building will go on forever-not just for me and my family, but for Dudley and everyone who has been part of its history.”
Jerald Saladana
Looking Ahead: A Lasting Legacy for Placer County
The building will become the future headquarters for the Placer Community Foundation and serve as a cornerstone for continuing to support the Placer County region’s vitality through philanthropy.
“Jerald has generously donated to several causes through the foundation,” said Placer Community Foundation CEO Veronica Blake. “This building will provide more space to serve the needs of our growing community, including accessibility improvements that weren’t possible with our old building. Jerald’s gift serves as an inspiration to all in Placer County who want to leave a lasting legacy through the Placer Community Foundation.”
Saladana’s gift ensures that this piece of Newcastle’s history will live on, just as his family’s values of hard work and giving back have been passed down through generations.
“I like to think that this building will continue to be a part of Placer County’s history through the great work the Placer Community Foundation does to help our community,” Saladana says, his eyes gleaming with pride. “And that’s the best legacy I can leave behind.”
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To support the renovation efforts of Placer Community Foundation’s new home, please call us at (530) 885-4920 or consider making an online donation today at placercf.org.
