Community of Giving

community of third annual

GIVING Local Organizations Make a Difference.

You Can Too!

A Supplement of Lee Central Coast Newspapers

community of third annual

GIVING Advertiser Index

Family Care Network .......................................................6 Hats for Hope ............................................................... 4, 7 Santa Barbara Foundation .......................................... 8, 9 Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce .................2 Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum...................... 12 Shepard Eye Center ................................................. 10, 11

of community

2 Fall 2015 / Community of Giving / Lee Central Coast Newspapers

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s you travel around the Central Coast the spirit of holiday giving is everywhere.

It is truly a magical time.

What you may not see, is the wide range of important service organizations that are providing much needed help to children, families and individuals from all walks of life.

Central Coast neighbors have been looking out for each other for nearly 150 years, and we are blessed that the commitment to provide essential services to our community continues. Our local non-profits are steadfast in their mission to make a difference in the lives they serve. Inside the pages of Community of Giving, you will find a compelling look at our local non-profits and the range of important services they provide to our region, and how they enhance the quality of life in our communities.

We hope you enjoy reading this section and are sure you will recognize the helping hands described on its pages. Consider taking time this busy holiday season, to discover the rewarding volunteer opportunities which exist for all ages.

Cynthia Schur, President & Publisher Lee Central Coast Newspapers

Lee Central Coast Newspapers / Community of Giving / Fall 2015

On behalf of the Lee Central Coast Newspapers staff, we wish you the happiest of holidays, and best wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year.

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Some of our local non-profits according to the California Franchise Tax Board

4 Fall 2015 / Community of Giving / Lee Central Coast Newspapers

80 NINA TOASTMASTERS CLUB 89 SANTA MARIA TOASTMASTERS CLUB ABC CENTER FOR WOMEN INC ALICE SHAW ELEMENTARY PTA ALL AMERICA CITY QUILT GUILD ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE AUXILIARY PROGRAMS CORPORATION ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE FOUNDATION ALLIANCE FOR PHARMACEUTICAL ACCESS INC ALTRUSA CLUB OF THE CENTRAL COAST FOUNDATION INC ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL OF GOLDEN VALLEY ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL SANTA MARIA FOUNDATION AMATEUR ATHLETIC UNION OF THE UNIT AMERICAN G I FORUM EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF SANTA MARIA CALIFORNIA AMERICAN REGION OF THE JOSEPHITE FATHERS TRUST ASOCIACION CULTURAL LATINO AMERICANA BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA CALIFORNIA BIG PICTURE ATHLETIC ENTERPRISES INC BLAINE JOHNSON MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT INC BLOCHMAN PTA BOATRIGHT EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION INC BOYS GIRLS CLUB OF SANTA MARIA VALLEY INC BURT E AND ANNE L FUGATE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC

CA STATE GOVERNMENT FELATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE APPRAISAL INSTITUTE CAHUAYAXI INTERNATIONAL BENEFIT ORGANIZATION INC CAL HOOPS ELITE BASKETBALL ACADEMY CALIFORNIA STARSCOAST GIRLS FAST PITCH ASSOCIATION INC CAPTAIN HENRY SWEETSTER CHAPTER NATIONAL SOCIETY DAUGHTERS OF THE AME CAUSE ACTION FUND CENTER FOR HUMAN UNDERSTANDING AND GROWTH CENTRAL CAL HOOPS AMATEUR ATHLETIC UNION OF THE UNITED STATES CENTRAL COAST AREA TEAM AGLOW INTERNATIONAL 1052015 CENTRAL COAST COMMISION FOR SENIOR CITIZENS CENTRAL COAST EXPRESS INC CENTRAL COAST FUTURE LEADERS INC CENTRAL COAST ISLAMIC CENTER CENTRAL COAST LITERACY COUNCIL CENTRAL COAST MINISTRIES AND COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTRAL COAST PREGNANCY CENTER CENTRAL COAST RESTORATION MINISTRIES CENTRAL COAST SENIOR CITIZENS FOUNDATION CENTRAL COAST SOCCER FOUNDATION INC CENTRAL COAST TREATMENT CENTERS CENTRAL COAST WINE GROWERS ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION INC CENTRO CRISTIANO PAN DE VIDA

CENTRO CRISTIANO VIDA ABUNDANTE INC CHURCH FOR LIFE COAST HILLS BAPTIST CHRUCH COAST VALLEYS PONY CLUB COASTAL VOICES COMITE GUELAGUETZA INTERNATIONAL BENEFIT ORGANIZATION INC COMMUNITY OF PRAYER INC CONFLICT SOLUTIONS CENTER OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY COURTAPPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY CRESTWOOD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP INC CRUZIN FOR LIFE DAVID MISSION ASSOCIATION DEAN BROWN LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION DOWNS SYNDROME PARENTS TEACHERS FRIENDS INC EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION EL PADRECITO MINISTRIES ELEMENT CHRISTIAN CHURCH ERNEST RIGHETTI HIGH PTSA EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION SANTA MARIA CHAPTER 499 INC FAITH BIBLE CHURCH FAITH KOREAN CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA FAMILY PARTNERSHIP HOME STUDY CHARTER SCHOOL

FAMILY RESOURCE EDUCATIONAL SERVICE HELP INCORPORATED FRESH INC FAMILY RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL INC FAMILY SAFETY FOUNDATION FILIPINO CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD OF SANTA MARIA CALIFORNIA FIRST CHURCH OF GOD OF SANTA MARIA FIRST MEXICAN BAPTIST CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA FIRST UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA CALIF FOLLOWERS OF THE GREAT MOTHER FOREVER FAITHFUL MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS OF THE ORCUTT LIBRARY FRIENDS OF THE SANTA MARIA PUBLIC LIBRARY FRIENDS OF THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY RAILROAD INC FRIENDS OF WALLER PARK INC FULTON FOUNDATION GARZA RODRIGUEZ FAMILY SERVICES GENSPAN FOUNDATION A CALIFORNIA NONPROFIT PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION GLENN H ROBINSON LEGACY CENTER GLORIA DEI EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA CALIF GOBEZIE GOSHU RESIDENCE FOR THE ELDERLY GOOD SAMARITAN SHELTER GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA GRACE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA CALIFORNIA

Some of our local non-profits according to the California Franchise Tax Board SANTA MARIA BLACKS RECOGNIZING A GOAL SANTA MARIA BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB FOUNDATION INC SANTA MARIA CA SANTA MARIA CA COMMUNITY LIGHTHOUSE AGLOW INTERNATIONAL 1051136 SANTA MARIA CA CONERSTONE COMMUNITY LIGHTHOUSE AGLOW INTERNATIONAL SANTA MARIA CA SPANISH COMMUNITY LIGHTHOUSE AGLOW INTERNATIONAL SANTA MARIA CALIFORNIA CHAPTER SOCIETY FOR THE PRESERVATION AND ENC SANTA MARIA CENTRAL COAST FOURSQUARE CHURCH SANTA MARIA CIVIC THEATRE SANTA MARIA FAIRPARK FOUNDATION INC SANTA MARIA FFA BOOSTERS SANTA MARIA FFAA SANTA MARIA FOURSQUARE CHURCH SANTA MARIA GIRLS SOFTBALL INC SANTA MARIA INDEPENDENT SOCCER ORGANIZATION INC SANTA MARIA JAPANESE COMMUNITY CENTER SANTA MARIA KENNEL CLUB SANTA MARIA KIWANIS FOR KIDS SANTA MARIA KOREAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SANTA MARIA MUSEUM OF FLIGHT INC SANTA MARIA PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY SANTA MARIA POLICE COUNCIL INC SANTA MARIA ROTARY FOUNDATION SANTA MARIA SWIM CLUB INC SANTA MARIA VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH SANTA MARIA VALLEY CHAPTER OF THE NINETYNINES INC SANTA MARIA VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SANTA MARIA VALLEY COUNCIL OF PTAS SANTA MARIA VALLEY DISCOVERY MUSEUM SANTA MARIA VALLEY FISH SANTA MARIA VALLEY FOURSQUARE CHURCH SANTA MARIA VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY SANTA MARIA VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY INC SANTA MARIA VALLEY LIGHTHOUSE BAPTIST CHURCH SANTA MARIA VALLEY OPEN SPACE SANTA MARIA VALLEY QUILT GUILD SANTA MARIA VALLEY RAILWAY HISTORICAL MUSEUM INC SANTA MARIA VALLEY YMCA FOUNDATION INC SANTA MARIA VALLEY YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION SANTA MARIA VALLEY YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION INC SANTA MARIA YOUTH BASKETBALL LEAGUE SBGF SET FREE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP SANTA MARIA SHEKINAH CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP INC SHOES FOR STUDENTS SISTERS OF ST FRANCIS MT ALVERNO MARIAN RESIDENCE SMOOTH SOCIAL ADVOCATES FOR YOUTHSANTA MARIA VALLEY YOUTH AND FAMILY CENTER

SOUTH SANTA MARIA ROTARY FOUNDATION ST PAUL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA INC STAR OF BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA CALIFORNIA SUPPORTING ORCUTT ACADEMYS ACADEMIC RESOURCES FOUNDATION INC TEMPLE BETH EL OF SANTA MARIA TEMPLO EL SALVADOR DE LAS ASAMBLEAS DE DIOS TENRIKYO CENTRAL COAST CHURCH TEPEHUAJE INTERNATIONAL BENEFIT ORGANIZATION INC THE ANIMALI FARM THE BIBLE TRANSLATION AND EXEGESIS INSTITUTE OF AMERICA THE CALIFORNIA INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED THE CHRIST METHODIST CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA THE ELLIS HICKMAN RICE CHARITABLE TRUST THE ERIC OKERBLOM FOUNDATION THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA CALIFORNIA THE FIRST CHURCH OF INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN CLINICAL CO THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA THE GATE VINEYARD FELLOWSHIP THE GATHERING AT SANTA MARIA THE GATHERING AT THE VINEYARD THE GATHERING CENTRAL COAST THE HISTORICAL DIVING SOCIETY THE LINCOLN AND TUNNELL STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST OF SANTA MARIA THE LIONS CLUB OF ORCUTT THE MACEDONIA HOUSE OF GOD THE HOLY CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD THE PIL THE NATIONAL LATINO PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION NORTHERN SANTA

WINNERS OF OFFLEASH FREEDOM INC YOUR ORCUTT YOUTH ORGANIZATION

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ORCUTT ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB INC ORCUTT ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL PTSA ORCUTT AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE INC ORCUTT AREA SENIORS IN SERVICE INC ORCUTT BABE RUTH LEAGUE INC ORCUTT CHILDRENS ART FOUNDATION INC ORCUTT JUNIOR HIGH PTSA ORCUTT LC COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC ORCUTT NATIONAL LITTLE LEAGUE INC ORCUTT POLO ASSOCIATION ORCUTT POST 534 THE AMERICAN LEGION ORCUTT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ORCUTT UNIT 534 AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY ORCUTT UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE ORCUTT YOUTH SOFTBALL INC ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION OUR LADY OF THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENTMAGNIFICAT CHAPTER PACIFIC CENTRAL COAST HEALTH CENTERS PACIFIC SOUTHERN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION PAUL CAIN MINISTRIES PCPA FOUNDATION PEOPLE FOR LEISURE AND YOUTH PEOPLE OF GREATNESS COMMUNITY CENTER INC PETER B FITZGERALD COMMUNITY SCHOOL PTSA PHOENIX RISING CATHOLIC FOUNDATION PINE GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA CALIFORNIA PINE GROVE PTA PIONEER PARK FOUNDATION INC PIONEER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL BOOSTERS PIONEER VALLEY TAGALOG CONGREGATION OF JEHOVAHS WITNESSES SANTA POR UN SAN MARTIN MEJOR INTERNATIONAL BENEFIT ORGANIZATION INC POWER OF GOD CHRISTIAN CENTER RALPH DUNLAP ELEMENTARY PTA RED OAK SOCCER REFEREES ASSOCIATION REGION 14 OF THE AMERICAN IRIS SOCIETY REJOICE ALWAYS INC RENEGADES SOFTBALL INC RICE ELEMENTARY PTA RIGHETTI HIGH SCHOOL BAND BOOSTERS INC RIGHT TO LIFE OF SANTA MARIA EDUCATION PROJECT INC ROCKETEER ROLLERS INC SAINT ANDREW UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA SAINT PHILLIP AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SAMARITANS COMPASS INTERNATIONAL SAN RAMON CHAPEL PRESERVATION COMMITTEE SANTA BARBARA ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ENERGY COALITION SANTA BARBARA FAMILY CARE CENTER SANTA MARIA ARTS COUNCIL INC SANTA MARIA BETHEL KOREAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Lee Central Coast Newspapers / Community of Giving / Fall 2015

GYFTED INC HABITAT FOR HUMANITY NORTHERN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY HANCOCK COLLEGE BOOSTERS INC HARVEST COMMUNITY CENTER INC HATS FOR HOPE HEALING ROOMS OF THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY HELP 4 HD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED HERITAGE EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HESED CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES INC HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA INC HOUSE OF HEALING INC INLIGHT CONNECTION INTERCITY CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA INTERNATIONAL APOSTOLIC MINISTRY I AM IVY S PREGOZEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP TRUST JOE NIGHTINGALE ELEMENTARY PTA JUAN PACIFICO ONTIVEROS ELEMENTARY PTA KINCARES INC KMKLINK MINISTRIES INC KUNDARIA FAMILY RESOURCE INSTITUTE LA LUZ DEL MUNDO IGLESIA DEL DIOS VIVO COLUMNA Y APOYO DE LA VERDAD LADIES AUXILIARY VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS MCGINLEY BROS 2521 LAKEVIEW JR HIGH PTSA LATINAMERICAN SOCIAL ORGANIZATION LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF SANTA MARIA VALLEY LIBERTY PTA LIFE STEPS FOUNDATION INTEGRATED AGING MODEL LOS PADRES ARTIST GUILD INC LUTHERAN CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOR SANTA MARIA CALIFORNIA MARIAN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION MARK AND DOROTHY SMITH FAMILY FOUNDATION MARVEL WRESTLING ACADEMY AMATEUR ATHLETIC UNION OF THE UNITED STATES MENDING BROKEN VESSELS MEXICAN LADIES SOCIAL CLUB OF SANTA MARIA MINERVA CLUB TRUST FUND INC NAMI NORTHERN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY NARVACANIAN ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL CALIFORNIA NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA CALIFORNIA NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN CHURCH SANTA MARIA NEW VISION CHURCH SANTA MARIA NEWLOVE CHRISTIAN CHURCH NOOR OMID INC NORTH SANTA BARBARA COUNTY CHAPTER CHILD EVANGELISM FELLOWSHIP OF SOU NORTHERN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ATHLETIC ROUNDTABLE INC NORTHERN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY UNITED WAY INC NORTHWEST HEALTH CENTER OF SANTA MARIA CA OAK KNOLLS BAPTIST CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA OLD TOWN ORCUTT REVITALIZATION ASSOCIATION INC OPERATION HEALTHY AFRICA

THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM SANTA MARIA CALIFORNIA THE ORCUTT AREA ADVISORY GROUP INC THE PRATT CHARITABLE FOUNDATION THE RECTOR WARDENS AND VESTRYMEN OF ST PETERS PARISH IN S THE SANTA MARIA BREAKFAST ROTARY FOUNDATION THE SERVANTS AND HANDMAIDS OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS MARY AND THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHAIS OF SANTA MARIA THE THEOSPHICAL BOOK ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND INC THE TREE AMIGOS OF ORCUTT TOWN CENTER CONGREGATION OF JEHOVAHS WITNESSES SANTA MARIA CA INC TOWN CENTER GALLERY TRANSITIONAL RESOURCE UNIFICATION SUPPORT TECHNOLOGY INC

6 Fall 2015 / Community of Giving / Lee Central Coast Newspapers

please join us for the 3rd annual

‘Christmas with Holly’

Live Jazz Classics & Christmas Carols

featuring HoLLy WiLLiaMS & tHe rip tide Big Band

Sunday, december 20th, from 4pm to 7pm

at the Santa Maria Country Club, 505 W. Waller Lane.

Tickets are $25.00 per person and include live music & heavy appetizers.

No host bar. All ages are welcome.

Tickets are available on the Hats for Hope web-site: www.hatsforhope.com or at the Santa Maria Country Club.

Hats for Hope hats and apparel with be for sale.

All proceeds go to benefit Hats for Hope.

Hats for Hope provides the gift of a wig, hat or other head covering to cancer patients going through treatment on the Central Coast.

For more information about Hats for Hope call 805-489-4161 or visit www.hatsforhope.com

H

The gift of a wig seems like a such a small thing, especially when faced with the diagnosis of cancer but it can help lift spirits and encourage hope. Hope of normalcy.

in some way or another, this motivates them to volunteer to keep the program going.

Due to the generous support of the community Hats for Hope will be gifting four recipients $2500 each. Central Coast residents going through treatment, who live in Northern SB County and SLO County between Santa Ynez and Paso Robles, can nominate themselves or a loved one. Nominees must have a financial need and currently be undergoing cancer treatment. Go to the Hats for Hope web site to download a nomination form. Nominations must be received by November 30th, 2015. Gifts recipients with be announced in January 2016.

For more information visit: A wig certificate is included as part of treatment packets from oncolwwws.hatsforhope.com ogy offices. They can be redeemed at wig shops in Templeton, Grover Beach, and Santa Maria. “People don’t have to ask for it; they don’t have or Call 805-489-4161. to apply for it; it’s a gift,” Miranda says.

The gift also recognizes the financial burden of cancer. One recipient became overwhelmed with appreciation when after being fitted for a wig, she realized it wouldn’t cost her a penny. “I went to pay, and I didn’t owe any money,” she told Miranda. “You have no idea what that meant to me.”

Founded in 2001, by Connie Garcin and her close friends Garcin’s legacy of wanting to help those who are going through what she experienced continues. Each board member has been touched by cancer

Lee Central Coast Newspapers / Community of Giving / Fall 2015

ats for Hope knows a small gesture of support can go a long way, this is the guiding philosophy it follows when helping Central Coast residents with cancer. Hats for Hope’s mission is to provide free wigs, hats, and other head coverings to people going through treatment. “While a cancer diagnosis is life-changing in countless ways, hair loss can be one of the most daunting prospects”, says Jeannie Miranda, Hats for Hope Board President.

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Invigorating Philanthropy

8 Fall 2015 / Community of Giving / Lee Central Coast Newspapers

Guided by compassion, excellence and integrity, the Santa Barbara Foundation seeks to address the most challenging problems within our county.

For eight and a half decades, the Santa Barbara Foundation has been guided by one overarching vision: to help Santa Barbara County achieve its best future by deploying the tools of philanthropy. Today, that vision remains firmly in place.

What has changed are the issues – the problems, the threats and the opportunities.

Accordingly, a great community foundation must be intentional about keeping up with those changes. We are continually acquiring knowledge and expertise, and finding new ways for philanthropy to work for donor investors, those working in the social sector, and ultimately for the people and communities it serves. Put another way, it is about building into our DNA a zeal for reimagining our responsibilities and our aspirations as an institution, but far more importantly, for reimagining what we can do together as a community.

We are fortunate to live where many are actively engaged in the practice of philanthropy. We are connected to our home communities in a very tangible way – working,

living and thriving. Yet we come together to solve issues throughout our county proving that we are truly a community.

There are many challenges facing the people and communities of Santa Barbara County. Some of them similar to what almost all American communities are experiencing (huge demographic shifts, the aging of the baby boomer generation), and some that are particular to our region (sustainable agriculture, protecting our coastline and habitats). The Santa Barbara Foundation believes that community philanthropy can play a vital role in seeking the best solutions. Ours is the work of many and our accomplishments accrue entirely to the generosity, the energy and the foresight of the people with whom we work every day.

The foundation’s mission is to use every tool at its disposal to facilitate the building of philanthropy, strengthen the nonprofit sector, and strategically address important community opportunities and needs.

We use our knowledge to dive below the surface into complex issues and employ our

expertise in strategic grantmaking to leverage resources. In the daily course of our work, we connect donors with agencies and projects, opportunities with resources, and problems with solutions. As we move through the new millennium, the foundation’s core work will involve catalyzing and leading partnerships that embrace multiple sectors – government, private and social – to share responsibility for a truly 21st century community.

Our founder Max Fleischmann was completely enamored with this region. The vision he had 87 years ago for preserving this beautiful place we call home is reflected in the work of the foundation and our donors. The desire to create beauty, preserve human dignity and steward resources was the hope of those who came before and is now our promise to the future.

sbfoundation.org (805) 963-1873

Provide a scholarship.

Sustain our natural systems.

Support our caregivers.

Lee Central Coast Newspapers / Community of Giving / Fall 2015

Give to the greatest need.

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For someone who has always had the luxury of clear eyesight, it’s hard to imagine living without it. But for thousands of people in underdeveloped countries clear eyesight is a distant memory, as many live with debilitating cataracts, and no access to the eye care needed to correct them. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 48% of the world’s 37 million blind people suffer from cataracts, a disease that can be treated with local anesthetic and a 20-minute surgery.

10 Fall 2015 / Community of Giving / Lee Central Coast Newspapers

This past year, Dr. Randall Goodman of Shepard Eye Center lead a team of ten volunteers to Fiji to provide free cataract surgeries to locals without access to eye care. Said Dr. Goodman, “So many people in Fiji, like much of the world, are blind from cataracts. It’s a tremendous feeling to watch blind patients being led into the clinic by a family member and the next day when the eye patch is removed their bright eyes and wide smiles as they are able to see for the first time in many years.” During his visit to Fiji, Dr. Goodman performed 46 sight-saving surgeries over 5 days at the Mission at Natuvu Creek Clinic.

Dr. Goodman’s team of volunteers assisted him in surgery, helped with pre-operative and post-op care and did a variety of other charity work at the Mission.

The Mission at Natuvu Creek Clinic where the eye saving surgeries were performed is located on the eastern coast of Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island. It was built to serve the rural people of Fiji, offering free medical services and a modern facility for visiting surgeons and dentists to perform needed procedures. The Mission also offers health and wellness education, developing jobs and grass-roots industries, engineering, and assistance with education from pre-k through high-school. It is a non-denominational faithbased 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

This was Dr. Goodman’s fourth eye surgery mission trip and his first to help the people of Fiji. “These trips are always a joy, not just that you go so that you can work to help someone else, but also that you are blessed by the thankful spirit of the grateful people you meet,” said Dr. Goodman. “The surgery required is very quick with the proper supplies and training, allowing us the satisfaction of being able to treat a great amount of cases in a short time. It is a cause that I am passionate about.”

Dr. Goodman partnered with the Santa Barbara non-profit organization SEE International who provided supply and logistic support for his surgical mission. For over forty years SEE International has coordinated medical volunteer trips to developing countries to restore sight to people blinded by cataracts and other treatable eye conditions.

SEE International also partners with Shepard Eye Center to provide over 100 free eye exams each year to needy patients on the central coast. SEE International has screened more than 3,600,000 people, & restored sight to more than 440,000 people worldwide.

Both SEE International and Shepard Eye Center have a deep commitment to helping low income individuals on the central coast area gain access to free eye care. Established in the 1980s, the Santa Barbara Vision Care Program (SBVCP) provides uninsured local adults and children with free comprehensive eye exams, glasses, and essential eye surgeries for eye conditions such as cataracts and pterygium.

Eye clinics are held three times a week and each day serves 10-15 uninsured individuals who would otherwise not have access to eye care. Through the generous efforts of participating doctors a majority of whom are part of the staff at Shepard Eye Center, SEE International has increased the amount of patients they serve in Santa Barbara from 1,247 in 2012 to over 1,400 in 2013. The SBVCP also collaborates with the Shepard Eye Center in Santa Maria and the Kendall-Shepard Eye Center in Lompoc to serve residents in Santa Barbara North County.

Dr. Goodman is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Prior to joining Shepard Eye Center in 2005, Dr. Goodman served as chief of Ophthalmology for the Air Force at the Mike O’Callaghan Federal Hospital in Las Vegas.

Shepard Eye Center has been at the forefront of surgery on the Central Coast since 1967.

They are the most prominent full-service eye clinic in the Santa Maria and Lompoc Valleys, providing a wide range of eye care with excellence to deliver both the best outcomes and the finest experience, while showing the highest degree of caring, ethics and respect to their patients. Dr. Dennis Shepard, founder of Shepard Eye Center, was an innovator in the field of eye care, traveling to 28 countries to teach eye surgery to thousands of doctors.

Said, former SEE International patient Michael, “Life without vision is a half-life. You have limited life options and you are constantly missing what you formerly had.” Shepard Eye Center is working hard to make sure that no one has to live that way.

Lee Central Coast Newspapers / Community of Giving / Fall 2015

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Give the Gift of Discovery

New Exhibits Coming Soon

12 Fall 2015 / Community of Giving / Lee Central Coast Newspapers

DISCOVERY TREE HOUSE READING CORNER VANDENBERG LAUNCH EXPERIENCE AMAZING AIRWAYS DISCOVERY FARMS BERRY TRUCK PLAYGROUND MOXIE FARM TO TABLE CAFETERIA AND MORE! Call us about Exhibit Sponsorship!

2016 will be a banner year for the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum and we invite you to join the fun!

Celebrating our 20th year as the only children's museum in Santa Barbara County is just the beginning of the excitement ahead for 2016. With a revitalized facility, new programs, more special events, increased staffing and new exhibits on the horizon, we are providing a safe, fun and inspiring place where families can grow and learn together through the POWER OF PLAY.

You can impact your community.

The Discovery Museum is only possible through the generous giving of our Central Coast community. With more than 25,000 people coming through our doors every year and the potential for much-needed new exhibits, your contributions are the critical link to accessible interactive learning experiences for our families.

Visit us at smvdiscoverymuseum.org or call 805-928-8414 to find out how you can help grow the Discovery Museum's exceptional programs and exhibits for 2016!