Butter Paddle - Uplift Family Services

About Us

The Butter Paddle Gift Shop, presently located in the heart of downtown Los Gatos, California, is the perfect place to buy that special gift. The Butter Paddle is a fund-raising arm of the EMQ Auxiliary, which has served the needs of local children in need since 1934. The Auxiliary started by raising money through rummage sales and fashion shows. The proceeds from these events provided household items for the children's residence. Items such as drapes, carpeting and even a washing machine so children could have clean socks every day were donated!

Over the years, the Auxiliary decided that a long-term, ongoing project would provide a more stable fund-raising base. Therefore, on June 1, 1967, The Butter Paddle Shop opened its doors in downtown Saratoga and was the first gourmet kitchen shop in Santa Clara Valley. The members at that time got the idea to name the store ''The Butter Paddle'' simply because one of the ladies had found an old-fashioned butter paddle while walking in Saratoga. In October of 2010, The Butter Paddle moved its operations to Los Gatos.

Our unique shop is run entirely by more than 70 trained volunteers, all locals from Santa Clara County. Volunteers do the buying, staffing and displays. Since 1967, the shop has evolved to include distinctive, upscale gifts of all price ranges. Hallmarks of the shop are custom wrapping and helpful customer service.

All proceeds from The Butter Paddle are donated to Uplift Family Services, formerly EMQ FamiliesFirst, a nonprofit organization. Uplift/EMQ has been helping children and families in crisis since 1867, over 140 years! Learn more at - http://upliftfs.org/.