80 Years: August Charitable Giving Roundup

Did you know? SESLOC was formed in 1942 with just $500 in assets. Because of the support from our members and community, we have grown to more than a billion in assets over the last 80 years. To honor this achievement, we’re giving $500 to 80 local nonprofits by the end of 2022 — funds may help support programs or simply offer lunch or a little treat for all of the hard-working staff and volunteers.

We’ve asked our incredible staff to nominate their favorite 501-(c)(3)-designated organizations. Here are the eight groups we’ve selected for August:

Los Amigos de Guadalupe

The mission of LADG is to enhance and develop the capacity of the City of Guadalupe, community organizations, local businesses and community members through community development plans and actions that support the community of Guadalupe and surrounding areas to become a resilient, strong community that will grow from disadvantaged to a livable, sustainable community. Projects include park and city beautification, microenterprise assistance programs, launching the Guadalupe Business Association, and more.

People for Leisure and Youth (PLAY)

Formed in 1997, PLAY, Inc. was established to aid in funding innovative recreation and parks services and programs offered in the Santa Maria Valley. Programs include summer concerts in the parks, Family Kit Festival, Los Flores Ranch park, Enos house restoration, and supporting the purchase of trees and playground equipment for parks.

Community Partners in Caring

Since 1997, Community Partners in Caring has supported Lompoc & Santa Maria seniors to sustain their daily living. Volunteers are matched with seniors to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, assist with errands, help with house repairs/yard work, and provide companionship to boost quality of life for those at-risk of isolation.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County

Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. They partner with parents and guardians, volunteers and others in the community and hold each other accountable for each child in their program achieving: higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships, avoidance of risky behaviors, and educational success.

Serve Santa Maria

In 2009, Carl Nielsen took a group of young people to New Orleans to help restore this community after it was devastated by hurricane Katrina. He came back to Santa Maria and asked himself, “Why can’t we do something like that right here in our own community?” Serve Santa Maria volunteers support Santa Maria through enhancing parks, schools and private residences in collaboration with business, education, and city government.

Casa of Hope

Casa of Hope is an anti-human trafficking agency dedicated to providing safe housing to sexually exploited women, educating communities, outreach, and bringing awareness in an effort to combat modern-day slavery of men, women, youth, and children.

Santa Maria Police Council

The Santa Maria Police Council was created to assist and support the Santa Maria Police Department by providing critical resources that will help the men and women who safeguard our community. The Council helps fill the gap between the Department’s increasing public need for law enforcement and tightening city budgets. The Council functions primarily as a fund-raising organization with the emphasis on supplementing equipment and training needs of the Santa Maria Police Department.

Boys & Girls Club of Mid Central Coast

The Boys and Girls Club of Mid Central Coast provides services to more than 6000 youth and teens throughout the Central Coast through their 15 Clubs in Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Guadalupe, Paso Robles, Shandon, Atascadero, and Creston.

Please consider donating to these worthy organizations. You can check out the organizations we selected in July here, and stay tuned to learn about the next eight nonprofits nominated by our staff in honor of our 80th anniversary.