CCommunity Service Overview

Los Olivos Rotary believes that Community Service is not limited to just our local area. Our greater community includes everything that is not covered by our other Avenues of Service. In short, our nation is our greater community.

 

Every year, a significant portion of the funds raised from our Jazz and Olive Festival are allocated to the Community Service Committee which researches the needs of our greater community and makes recommendations to our Foundation's board of directors.

 

The majority of our community service grants are for $1000 or less, but there are exceptions. Most years, the club is eligible for a matching grant from Rotary District 5240 and these grants are frequently used for community service projects, often in collaboration with other Rotary clubs.

 

Click the here if your organization would like to apply for a community service grant from Los Olivos Rotary.

 

Veggie Rescue (https://www.veggierescue.org/) here in the Santa Ynez Valley received a $500 grant in support of their great work to "rescue" or glean produce from participating local farms and homes. Within 24 hours of harvesting, Veggie Rescue distributes this fresh food to schools, senior residence programs, food banks and more throughout Santa Barbara County. Their programs support low-income families, youth, seniors, and those facing housing insecurity.  

 

Community Service also supports many other organizations and programs each year.

 

 

Youth Empowered Sports Center (https://www.facebook.com/YouthEmpoweredSY/). The Youth Empowered Sports Center in Solvang supports local youth with fitness classes, self defense, peer tutoring, academic support, and character building.  

 

Hillside House (https://hillsidesb.org/). Hillside House is a residential facility for 59 people with developmental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, autism, and epilepsy. The majority of the residents are non-ambulatory with additional medical challenges. Residents are cared for by a dedicated staff. The organization celebrated its 75th anniversary of service in 2020.  

 

Hidden Wings (https://hiddenwings.org/). Hidden Wings supports young people with autism after they've graduated from high school. It's a place where they can spread their wings while learning life skills and how to participate with others in a warm and supportive environment. 

 

We Support the Troops Inc. (https://we-support-the-troops.com). Volunteers meet at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall each month to fill over 100 boxes with goodies and items requested by service men and women stationed overseas, often in places where many basics we take for granted are not available. Each box includes a personal letter responding to their requests. 

 

Arts Outreach (http://artsoutreach.com) Begun in 1980, Arts Outreach has since expanded to over 70 talented and professional artists serving 3000 plus youngsters and local residents of all ages. Their mission is to promote the visual, literary, and musical arts in the Santa Ynez and Los Alamos Valleys by hosting a wide variety of participatory events that "bring art to life and life to art." 

 

Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA  scholarships (https://www.ciymca.org/locations/stuart-c-gildred-family-ymca). These scholarships allow youth to participate in our local YMCA's many programs. 

 

Santa Ynez Valley High School Cheer Camp scholarships support local youth. 

 

Circle V Camp (https://www.circlevranchcamp.org/). Established in 1945 by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Council of Los Angeles, Circle V summer camps primary goal is to develop a strong spiritual, physical, mental, and social character in participating youth through a variety of activities and encounters with positive role models.