Children’s Health Initiative of San Luis Obispo (CHISLO) will host the fourth annual Champions for Children event, “Sunset at the Rancho” on Sept. 11 at the Santa Margarita Ranch.

The event honors local individuals for their outstanding efforts in advocacy on behalf of local children.

This year’s award recipients were chosen for their unique leadership, vision and mentoring for the children and families of our county:

• René Bravo, MD. For 24 years, Dr. Bravo has provided exceptional health care to the children of San Luis Obispo County. Dr. Bravo is especially passionate about children’s health issues locally and has served as a visionary leader founding organizations such as the Partnership for the Children, Martha’s Place, and our own Children’s Health Initiative. As the founding president, CHISLO is the first not-for-profit organization specifically created to ensure that every child in our community has access to quality health care coverage.
• Donn Clickard. For 32 years, Donn Clickard has dedicated tireless energy to the pursuit of excellence and equity through education and athletics as a teacher, coach and   athletic director at Atascadero High School.  Donn was awarded the California Athletic Director of the Year in 1992, 1997; then, in 1997 he was awarded the National Athletic Director of the Year.  Donn has demonstrated a tireless commitment to the positive values of athletic excellence and fair play which have been the hallmarks of “Greyhound” athletic teams over the years.
• Linda Hogoboom, RN. As the District’s lead nurse, Linda Hogoboom, RN, has devoted 32 years to ensuring that the children of the Lucia Mar Unified School District are healthy and ready to learn.  She was instrumental in the development of the SAFE Family Resource Services as well as providing guidance and leadership to help launch the First 5 school readiness program and our local SLO Oral Health Coalition. Linda has received several millions of dollars in grant support to improve the health and well-being of all children in our community including the first Healthy Start grant to Nipomo.  

The “Elegant Western”-themed event will include a barbecue by the Arroyo Grande Optimist Club, plus the Sarsaparilla Train Ride and the live music of “Burning James and the Flames.”

Tickets are $95 per person and proceeds for the event will be used to provide health coverage for local children. To purchase tickets for Champions for Children: Sunset at the Rancho IV or for more information, call (805) 540-5177 or visit www.slohealthykids.org.