Central Coast Funds for Children (CCFC) has much to be proud of this holiday season. At the nonprofit's recent Christmas luncheon and general meeting held at the Madonna Inn, it was announced that a milestone was achieved by this amazing group of 35 women. 

“Today, we celebrate our million dollar goal of giving $1,025,670!" CCFC President Chris Poe announced. "This is not about us.  It’s about the kids we are helping. We haven’t reached a destination, we’ve just hit a milestone-a big one at that...our goal of reaching a million dollars in giving.” 

More than 55 local San Luis Obispo County children organizations have benefitted from CCFC grants since their inception in 1994. This year's grant recipients included ACTS, ALPHA, Assistance League, Atascadero Community Link, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Central Coast Children’s Choir, Camp Fire Council of Central Coast, Camp Hapitok, Community Counseling Center, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Equine Alliance, Family Care Network, First Tee Central Coast, Fort Hope, Inc., La Clinica de Tolosa. Morro Bay Community Foundation, North County Women’s Shelter, North SLO County Boys & Girls Club, Paso Robles Oak Park Soccer League, S.A.V.E., SLO Child Development Center, SLO Children’s Museum, SLO County Child Abuse Prevention, SLO High School – Sober Grad Nite, SLO Museum of Art, SLO Symphony, South County Youth Coalition, and Youth Outreach for Performing Arts totaling $76,000.

At the luncheon, CCFC was honored by Board of Supervisor Katcho Achadjian with the presentation of a special certificate.

"I can personally speak about the impact CCFC has made to the SLO Child Development Center," said guest speaker, Mayor Elect for Pismo Beach Shelley Higginbotham. "This organization is near and dear to my heart and I spent many years on their Board.  I can guarantee you that the contributions CCFC has made over the years to the Center made a significant difference in the quality of services provided and the ability of staff to provide the tools necessary to help the children and families enrolled in that program."  

“Our fund raising is in place, the rewards have been phenomenal – golf tourney 'Chip in Fore Children' with Leslie Rodman at the helm, Soup Supper 'Once Upon a Time' with Ann Hansen and Bonnie Britton at the helm, 'Christmas in November' with Alethea Justus, Ann Whitehead, Linda Butler and Virginia Yasumoto at the helm – then all the extras that sent us reeling through the year including Academy Awards party, Applebees, CPK, Morro Bay Kite Festival, Paso Girls soccer games, Children’s Day in the Plaza, DJ’s for PJ’s, New Frontiers, E-Script, supporters and trustees – we are sharing our story throughout the county," Poe said.

At the meeting, CCFC's new 2011 Board of Directors was installed. The new officers include:

• President - Jeannette Meek
• Vice President - Leslie Rodman
• Grant Review Chair - Chris Poe
• Fund Raising Coordinator - Linda Butler
• Treasurer - Muriel Harkins
• Recording Secretary - Ricki Pace
• Corresponding Secretary - Diane Martinell
• Parliamentarian - Patti Hempenius.

CCFC's mission statement is simple...“Central Coast Funds for Children, a non-profit corporation, is established to raise funds for children in need in San Luis Obispo County. The corporation shall raise funds through a variety of methods, including but not limited to, contributions and charitable events.” 

For more information about the nonprofit's upcoming events and/or how to apply for a grant, visit www.centralcoastfundsforchildren.org.