State Parks Kicks of Fundraising Campaign
The Central Coast State Parks Association kick started their year-end “Faces of Wonder” campaign. They pledge to match donations of up to $5000.
“With more than 1 million annual Central Coast State Park visitors, we are fully committed to preserving and supporting our local Parks and need your help,” organizers said. “The Central Coast State Parks Association provides funding and support for ongoing access to educational programming in our State Parks.”
Donations support rotating museum exhibits, informative signage and panels, school field trips and transportation, and insightful tours in order to foster existing and future environmental stewards.
To make a donation, go to http://bit.ly/3VibH5m.
CCSPA also needs community input on the future of their Mind Walk lecture series, which they have been hosting with State Parks virtually since March 2020 due to COVID. These lectures generally happen twice monthly on Fridays at 1 p.m. Prior to COVID, Mind Walks were hosted in person for many years during the winter months.
They are considering offering one program per month but alternating between in person and virtual. Answer a short survey about the Mind Walk program at http://bit.ly/3Opi18E.
Whether you’ve attended a Virtual Mind Walk before or not, they want your input. Participants that complete the survey will receive a coupon code for the online store
Free Parking in Downtown SLO
Saving money is always a welcome during the holidays. The City of San Luis Obispo offers free parking in three structures over select days.
• Every Sunday in December (Dec. 4, 11, 18 and 24)
• Dec. 25-26
• New Year’s Eve
• New Year’s Day
“We encourage community members to visit downtown San Luis Obispo and shop locally for their holiday gifts, eat locally, and celebrate the holiday season together,” said Gaven Hussey, parking program manager for the City of San Luis Obispo. “We are offering 12 days of free parking in our parking structures to help support downtown businesses every Sunday in December and on certain holidays.”
Free parking rates are only available in the three downtown structures located at 842 and 919 Palm Street and 871 Marsh Street on the specific dates as noted. Street parking rates will cost anywhere from $1.25 to $2.00 per hour depending on where someone parks.
County Boys and Girls Club Wins Award
Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast was recognized for high achievement at the annual Pacific Regional Leadership Conference of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The Sparkplug Award is presented annually at this conference to the Chief Executive Officer of a Pacific Regional Boys & Girls Club organization who has demonstrated exceptional determination, tenacity, spark, and leadership of their club. The recipient is usually relatively new to the CEO position of their Club, which has usually shown significant improvements in their operation and results since the CEO assumed leadership.
Presenting the award was John Miller, Senior VP of Affiliate Relations at Boys & Girls Clubs of America who works with over 1,000 Clubs around the country.
Receiving the award at the evening ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, Michael Boyer, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast recognized his whole team as the true recipients.
“I am truly humbled by this recognition.” Boyer said. “A leader can have a vision but it is just a dream unless the team also sees and embraces that vision. I am privileged to work with an amazing group of professionals. They show grit, determination, and an unwavering belief in the potential of our members. This award is the result of the countless hours of hard work our team and board put in serving the youth of our community. I am continually impressed that our team rises to the challenge of meeting our ambitious goals, and then goes on to surpass them. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve in the future.”
Since Boyer’s hiring as CEO at the end of 2020, Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast has increased to running 20 Club sites in seven cities on the Central Coast. The organization partners with seven different school districts to offer after school programming at school-based sites and it completed a multi-million-dollar capital campaign to build and open a state-of-the-art Clubhouse in Paso Robles. It has increased service hours for local children by 42% and ended 2021 with the highest level of revenue in its 56-year history. It serves 1,500 households across two counties.
Golden State Water Donates to Operation Gobble
Golden State Water Company donated to the Kiwanis Club of Bay-Osos’ via its annual Operation Gobble outreach program to help feed local families in need.
Operation Gobble has been a Golden State Water tradition since 1990. Over the last 30 years, the program has funded more than 280,000 turkeys. This year, Operation Gobble is expected to feed over 10,000 families throughout its service areas.
“Golden State employees are pleased to support Operation Gobble,” said Ronald Moore, Golden State Water’s Operation Gobble project leader. “The need for this program has never been greater. We are thankful that we can partner with the Kiwanis Club of Bay-Osos so that families and friends can gather together to give thanks over a warm and nutritious meal.”
The Kiwanis Club contributed Golden State’s donation to the food pantry at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Los Osos and the San Luis Obispo County Food Bank
“The rising cost of living is making it harder for families to make ends meet.” said Al Strunk, chairman of the Kiwanis Club’s Spiritual Aims Committee. “Golden State Water’s donation will have a measurable impact on families wishing to celebrate their blessings by sharing a traditional Thanksgiving meal with family and friends.”
To learn more about Golden State Water’s community partnerships and philanthropic activities, readers can GSwater.com.
Los Osos Toy Drive Update
Jennifer Doyle, a realtor with C21 Hometown Realty, has added new drop- off sites for the toy drive she put together for the community of Los Osos. The goal is 200 toys.
All new unwrapped toys can be donated at any of the following locations: C21 Hometown, Central Coast Kenpo Karate, the Kiwanis Club, Ralph’s, Grocery Outlet, the post office, Celia’s Garden Café, Carlock’s Bakery, Starbucks, Edward Jones, Costa Gallery, or Baywood Communiti Center. They can also be picked up by calling Jennifer at 805-801-0215. Rotary members will also have a donation truck float in the annual Christmas Parade on Dec. 10.
If you or someone you know would like to benefit from the drive, let Jennifer know.
Toys will be handed out Dec. 23. Call the above number for more information.
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