Santa Cruz County Community Service & Support Articles

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services will hold the 38th Annual Mother’s Day Run & Walk on May 8, returning to an in-person event for the first time since 2019. The popular community event has been held virtually the past two years …

WATSONVILLE—After 18 years at the helm of the Lutheran Community Church of Watsonville, and 40 years total as an ordained minister, Rev. Susan Birkelo will soon retire. Born in Minnesota, Birkelo’s family moved to San Diego when she was still …

Samantha Sweeden is rallying local business to help restore some of the older fire engines

The post Local Detailer Donates Talents, Rehabs Scotts Valley Fire Trucks appeared first on Good Times.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new CARE Court plan aims to get homeless Californians experiencing mental health problems into treatment and off the street. But can it actually work?

Living in a tight-knit community like the San Lorenzo Valley has its advantages. When a neighbor needs assistance or a business is in trouble, locals rally to help. And when hundreds of residents lose their homes in a devastating wildfire …

Californians have the perfect opportunity to remember César Chávez by making March 31 a day of service.

The 20th Annual César E. Chávez Community Awards, which honors community members and businesses that empower Watsonville youth, will be held virtually on March 28. This year’s special guest speaker will be Dolores Huerta, legendary leader and celebrated Latina activist. …

The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County has opened the nomination period for the 15th Annual Be the Difference Awards. The awards honor the individuals, groups, nonprofits and businesses that transform Santa Cruz County through volunteerism. People can share their …

WATSONVILLE—Caroline’s Nonprofit Thrift Shop donated $500,000 to local community-serving organizations on Sunday in a ceremony at Martinelli’s Company Store on Harvest Drive. Some 130 people flocked to Watsonville for the annual giveaway, which Caroline’s founder and director Christy Licker calls …

SANTA CRUZ—The Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce has named Second Harvest Food Bank CEO Willy Elliott-McCrea as this year’s Lifetime Achievement awardee. Santa Cruz Director of Economic Development Bonnie Lipscomb has been named Person of the Year, while Bay …

SANTA CRUZ—The 12th Annual Latino Role Models conference will return on March 12 in a virtual format, with prominent community organizer and activist Dolores Huerta serving as this year’s keynote speaker. Local nonprofit Senderos, which aims to inspire students to …

A giant $8,000 check is presented to Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services Friday by State Senator Laird (second from left) along with Spectrum representatives. The money is part of Spectrum's digital education grant, a five-year, $7 million commitment to …

WATSONVILLE—The 18th Annual Fairgrounds Foundation Crab Feed will return March 5, and once again it will be a drive-thru event.  The annual feed is one of the foundation’s biggest fundraisers of the year. All profits of the event will go …

AROMAS—In June of 2020, a horse named Rooster arrived at The BackStretch, a nonprofit ranch in Aromas that aims to provide a haven for abandoned, abused and neglected horses. The 16-year-old Quarter Horse had finally found his “forever home” after …

Valley Churches United (VCU) has been assisting members of the San Lorenzo Valley community since 1985. From financial support to a plentiful food pantry, residents who have fallen on hard times have turned to VCU in times of trouble, finding …

The San Lorenzo Valley Post published details on a Jan. 12 meeting for homeowners affected by wood debris left behind by PG&E after the 2020 CZU Fire.

​​Since 2015, Santa Cruz Gives, the digital holiday fundraising program for local nonprofits, has provided financial support to an array of agencies that do good work for others. Whether providing meals, financial assistance or access to job opportunities, the 501c3 …

Lynn Robinson, the executive director of Valley Churches United, has a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. In addition to the success of their Sidewalk Holiday Gift Shop, the nonprofit has a new list of benefactors with whom …

Gabriel Barhell, 56, is a former Air Force medic from Tennessee who served in the first Gulf War. He came to Santa Cruz with his girlfriend, a traveling nurse. And when they broke up, he ended up living in the …

Your Future is Our Business, Girls Inc. and Ecology Action also seek to fund projects for young people.