Run by more than 70 dedicated members of the nonprofit EMQ Auxiliary, The Butter Paddle has always been more than just a gift store. Every purchase supports Pacific Clinics and its mission to provide critical mental health and support services for children and families experiencing trauma in Santa Clara County.
From October 22-25, The Butter Paddle will celebrate its Los Gatos storefront’s 15th anniversary with a series of events, including a holiday sneak peek and open house, ribbon cutting, and an anniversary celebration with seasonal treats, live music and a free drawing for a 2025 Annieglass collector plate.
A Legacy of Giving That Changes Lives
The Butter Paddle’s story began in 1967 in Saratoga as the county’s first kitchen store. Over the decades, it has evolved into a go-to destination for home decor, serveware, jewelry, baby gifts and gourmet foods, all while keeping its heart focused on giving back.
The EMQ Auxiliary, founded in 1934, has been serving the community for over 90 years. Through the decades, the Auxiliary’s fundraising has supported several child and family-serving agencies that, through mergers, are now Pacific Clinics.
Today, proceeds from The Butter Paddle help fund numerous Pacific Clinics programs, including the Hope Drop-In Center, Family Resource Centers, Neurodevelopmental Services, Foster Care and Adoption Services and the Wellspring fund, which helps families with emergency items such as food, blankets, clothing, diapers and supplies for hygiene and school.
“The continued support from The Butter Paddle and EMQ Auxiliary helps us provide essential resources that change lives,” says Senior Fund Development Director Darren DeMonsi. “Their dedication makes it possible for us to deliver critical mental health and support services to those who need them most.”
In addition to donating store proceeds, The Butter Paddle’s volunteers contribute over 31,000 hours annually and provide thousands of essential items, from diapers and coats to backpacks and toiletries, ensuring families in crisis have what they need to thrive.
“The Butter Paddle is more than a gift store — it’s a labor of love, powered by generations of volunteers. Every gift sold, every dollar raised, helps provide real hope, whether it’s a backpack for a child starting school or critical mental health care for a family in crisis,” says EMQ Auxiliary President Shirley Frantz.
Anniversary Events
- Holiday Sneak Peek – October 22, 2025 | 9–11 a.m. | An invite-only event for newsletter and social media subscribers (subscribe to their newsletter on their website or follow them on Facebook and/or Instagram), who will enjoy exclusive early access to holiday merchandise before it’s released to the public
- Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – October 22, 2025 | 4 p.m. | With Los Gatos Mayor Matthew Hudes
- Anniversary and Holiday Open House – October 25, 2025 | 11 a.m.–5 p.m. | Free tote bags for the first 15 shoppers, live music and seasonal treats. Customers who make a $15+ donation to Pacific Clinics’ Hope Drop-In Center will be entered into a free drawing to win a 2025 Annieglass collector plate (retail $116)
For more details about The Butter Paddle’s ongoing support of Pacific Clinics, visit butterpaddle.com.
