Hello, fellow Avilones. Turkey or ham - that’s one of the big questions during the holiday season, is it not? Turkey for Thanksgiving and ham for Christmas or Hanukkah? Vice versa or both entrees for each? I hope that is the toughest challenge you face at the end of the year. Some of you will travel to places far or near, others will host, but please do enjoy this special time with family and friends.
This is also the time of year when the “Foundation” completes its grant making decisions, which we have done, and are now ready to go public with announcements of the programs and projects selected for funding in 2016. The “Foundation” awarded thirteen grants, at a total of $52,950. Achievement House has once again been given funding to help keep the downtown Avila Beach area clean during the peak visitor season by furnishing staff three days per week to remove litter and tidy up. Arts Obispo was allocated a grant to help guide the “Foundation” through our new Avila Beach Public Art Project. Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter School in Avila Valley was awarded a second matching grant in their quest to make available iPads for teaching purposes to all age-appropriate students in the school.
Cancer Well-Fit received a second consecutive matching grant to continue their program that provides at no fee 10-week fitness training and support services at the Avila Bay Club for individuals recovering from cancer. The Central Coast Aquarium Scientist for a Day program was chosen to once again to receive a grant that enables schools from low-income areas to visit their facility and learn about the wonders of the ocean. Receiving a grant for the eighth consecutive year to help offset management costs is the Avila Beach Civic Association, an organization that provides social and community engagement activities. Another longstanding grant recipient – Avila Beach Jr. Lifeguards – received a matching grant to continue their program that hosts 200 youth each summer and brings to our beach vitality, sense of pride and a positive vibe.
Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers has been awarded a matching grant to help them build an ADA ramp that leads to a portion of the facility previously not accessible to all. People’s Self Help Housing – the organization that owns and operates the Lachen Tara Apartments – received another grant from the “Foundation” that partially pays for the facility’s supportive social services for low-income and special needs residents, along with a smaller grant to help those tenants struggling to keep up with rising water utility bills. The ever popular Mutt Mitts project managed by Port San Luis Harbor District received another grant to help pay for the nearly 100,000 “mitts” used each year by responsible dog-walkers. The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival will once again host an Avila Beach venue due to their latest grant from the “Foundation”. And, finally, the “Foundation” is pleased to continue both the subsidizing of free rides to Avila Beach Trolley passengers to help mitigate some traffic and parking issues, and ongoing home delivery of the Avila/Pismo Community News that brings you timely information of activities and services in Avila.
“Foundation” Trustees believe we have invested well in the organizations, programs and services best equipped to help us meet our mission. While there is always more than can be done, we are limited by our modest resources and relatively small portfolio. One of the ways you, as a member of the community, can help the “Foundation” accomplish more is by establishing a Donor Advised Fund before the end of the year or, for that matter, at any time. Doing so gives you an immediate tax deduction benefit, as well as a “say” in how funds in your account are invested in community projects. NO fees are charged by the “Foundation”, so your entire donation goes directly to the appropriate sources. To learn more about this opportunity, please call 805-595-4095.
Last but not least, I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to thank our friends at the Avila Beach Post Office. Mary, Julie, Cindy, et al continue to provide friendly and professional postal services, going above and beyond to meet our needs. No more so than during this, the busiest time of the year. We even find the occasional baked goods waiting our Post Office visit. We can all help the Avila Beach P.O. branch keep its doors open by purchasing stamps and utilizing package delivery services at this location.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. Here’s to your health, safety and happiness. See you next year!
This is also the time of year when the “Foundation” completes its grant making decisions, which we have done, and are now ready to go public with announcements of the programs and projects selected for funding in 2016. The “Foundation” awarded thirteen grants, at a total of $52,950. Achievement House has once again been given funding to help keep the downtown Avila Beach area clean during the peak visitor season by furnishing staff three days per week to remove litter and tidy up. Arts Obispo was allocated a grant to help guide the “Foundation” through our new Avila Beach Public Art Project. Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter School in Avila Valley was awarded a second matching grant in their quest to make available iPads for teaching purposes to all age-appropriate students in the school.
Cancer Well-Fit received a second consecutive matching grant to continue their program that provides at no fee 10-week fitness training and support services at the Avila Bay Club for individuals recovering from cancer. The Central Coast Aquarium Scientist for a Day program was chosen to once again to receive a grant that enables schools from low-income areas to visit their facility and learn about the wonders of the ocean. Receiving a grant for the eighth consecutive year to help offset management costs is the Avila Beach Civic Association, an organization that provides social and community engagement activities. Another longstanding grant recipient – Avila Beach Jr. Lifeguards – received a matching grant to continue their program that hosts 200 youth each summer and brings to our beach vitality, sense of pride and a positive vibe.
Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers has been awarded a matching grant to help them build an ADA ramp that leads to a portion of the facility previously not accessible to all. People’s Self Help Housing – the organization that owns and operates the Lachen Tara Apartments – received another grant from the “Foundation” that partially pays for the facility’s supportive social services for low-income and special needs residents, along with a smaller grant to help those tenants struggling to keep up with rising water utility bills. The ever popular Mutt Mitts project managed by Port San Luis Harbor District received another grant to help pay for the nearly 100,000 “mitts” used each year by responsible dog-walkers. The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival will once again host an Avila Beach venue due to their latest grant from the “Foundation”. And, finally, the “Foundation” is pleased to continue both the subsidizing of free rides to Avila Beach Trolley passengers to help mitigate some traffic and parking issues, and ongoing home delivery of the Avila/Pismo Community News that brings you timely information of activities and services in Avila.
“Foundation” Trustees believe we have invested well in the organizations, programs and services best equipped to help us meet our mission. While there is always more than can be done, we are limited by our modest resources and relatively small portfolio. One of the ways you, as a member of the community, can help the “Foundation” accomplish more is by establishing a Donor Advised Fund before the end of the year or, for that matter, at any time. Doing so gives you an immediate tax deduction benefit, as well as a “say” in how funds in your account are invested in community projects. NO fees are charged by the “Foundation”, so your entire donation goes directly to the appropriate sources. To learn more about this opportunity, please call 805-595-4095.
Last but not least, I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to thank our friends at the Avila Beach Post Office. Mary, Julie, Cindy, et al continue to provide friendly and professional postal services, going above and beyond to meet our needs. No more so than during this, the busiest time of the year. We even find the occasional baked goods waiting our Post Office visit. We can all help the Avila Beach P.O. branch keep its doors open by purchasing stamps and utilizing package delivery services at this location.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. Here’s to your health, safety and happiness. See you next year!
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