The Santa Maria Bonita School District raised more than $9,000 for various nonprofit groups with a recent holiday fundraiser.
Throughout the month of December and the last week of November, 10 different departments within the Souza Center and the district office raised money for 10 charities. Departments offered baked goods, held raffles, wrapped presents, delivered candy grams, hosted lunches, sang carols, and sold handmade crafts, among other creative things, to raise the money.
It was the first time district employees held the fundraiser.
The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Maria Valley received $1,867 through the fundraiser; St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital got $1,371, and Red Cross Philippines Disaster Relief gained $1,326. Other charities that benefited from the fundraiser include the Mission Hope Cancer Center, Philip Vaughan Service Dog Fund, Catholic Charities, Community Partners in Caring, Special Olympics, Wounded Warriors, and Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
The event was so successful that Souza Center employees are looking forward to participating again in 2014.
This article appears in Jan 2-9, 2014.
