Get Involved

100+ Women Who Care

A $5,400 donation from the San Luis Obispo chapter of 100+ Women Who Care will help Sue's Stars, a part of the Operation School Bell program of the Assistance League of San Luis Obispo County. !00+ Women Who Care is a group of county-wide women who want to make a positive impact in our county.  They meet biannually to decide which local charity will benefit from the individual donations of its members.  "It's a simple idea:  meet, choose a charitable group  from SLO County, and each writes a tax deductible $100 check to that organization," said Cathie Orrick, founder of the local chapter.  Their next meeting is March 8, 2011, in the diVine Room of the Carlton Hotel.  To find out more about this group, call 226-2822 or go to 100 Women Who Care-SLO.

 Sue's Stars, the latest recipient of their donations, is a middle school program, which provides clothing for County students in need.  After a member of the group who is also a junior high teacher told the ladies about Sue's Stars and how its clothing program had transformed several of her students in need, 100+ Women agreed to make its fall donations to the organization.  "These students are at a very sensitive age.  Being able to dress like other students can make a significant positive impact on their self-esteem, and, ultimately their performance in school," said Julie Davis, at-risk counselor at Atascadero Junior High.

The Sue's Stars program provides a retail shopping event at local stores for these 7th and 8th grade students.  In its pilot year, 2009-10, Sue's Stars assisted 50 students with shopping trips to Kohl's in the North County and Old Navy in South County.  This year, 92 students have been provided clothing.  "These stores have been amazingly generous," said Lori Thomas-Hicks, principal of Atascadero Junior High, who helped guide the pilot program and is a member of the Assistance League's Advisory Council.  "They not only provide personal shoppers to assist the students, but they also give significant discount on the clothing."

"The donation from 100+ Women Who Care will make a significant contribution to helping our Chapter make the Sue's Stars program permanent as well as allow us to increase the number of 7th and 8th grade students we serve," said Bonnie Long, President of the Assistance League of SLO.  "We are extremely grateful for this organization's support in helping us meet the needs of disadvantaged students in our County."  For more information about the Assistance League of San Luis Obispo, go to AL-SLOcounty.org

We invite local, non-profit groups to send information about themselves and volunteer opportunities in the Los Osos to Cambria area. Send your submission to Judy Sullivan before the 25th of the month with the subject line: Get Involved Listing Request. We reserve the right to decline any request if we find offensive in any way.

Peregrine Falcon image on banner by Cleve Nash