We are so proud of the work of our volunteers, the growth of our clients and each opportunity we have to partner in the community. Check out our highlighted news or visit our press archive below.
Get in Touch About Press: Contact Communications Director Christine Loewe at volunteer@scvolunteercenter.org
Thousands of Volunteers Help With Fire Response
KION-CBS- Sept. 4, 2020- The Santa Cruz County Emeline Campus was transformed into a massive donation center for those in need following the devastating CZU Lightning Complex fires. Organizers say hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of donations have been dropped off at the county’s two donation centers. 2,700 volunteers signed up to help at donation centers and shelters. However, the Santa Cruz Volunteer Centers say they will need even more help........Continue Reading
2000+ Volunteers Help With Fire Response
Capitola Times- August 27, 2020 - As the CZU Lightning Complex Fire burns for the tenth day, more than 2,000 community members have stepped up as volunteers and registered to help through the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County. Volunteers are being mobilized to help with critical needs including supporting evacuees at the evacuation shelters, providing mental health counseling, sorting and disseminating donations at the donation relief centers, providing over the phone assistance to new volunteers, and helping local emergency operations teams with data entry.........Continue Reading
Coastline: Center Seeks Community Volunteers
Santa Cruz Sentinel- August 27, 2020 - In the wake of the Lightning Complex Fire, more than 2,000 community members have registered to help through the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County. Volunteers help with a variety of critical needs including supporting evacuees at the evacuation shelters, providing mental health counseling, sorting and disseminating donations at the donation relief centers, providing over the phone assistance to new volunteers, and helping local emergency operations teams with data entry.........Continue Reading
Nonprofit Adaptability and Emergency Preparedness
Santa Cruz Sentinel- August 15, 2020 - In October, 2019 the Volunteer Center entered into a partnership with 24 nonprofits selected from across the state of Calfornia to serve as a California LISTOS Campaign Partner with the California Department of Energy. The goal for Santa Cruz County–To reach 11,500 low-income families, seniors living alone, and adults with a Mental Health Diagnosis with information, training, and emergency preparedness resources in 2020 .....Continue Reading
Enhancing Safety and Creating Connections Through Groceries
Santa Cruz Sentinel- August 15, 2020 - As the pandemic unfolded many nonprofits were asked to shutter their doors. Still determined to provide services, staff with the Volunteer Center Senior Programs jumped into action to develop creative new ways to maintain valuable connections with their most vulnerable participants .....Continue Reading
Human Race’s 1,300 Raise $175,000: Virtual Event Aids 82 Nonprofits, Schools, Community Groups
Aptos Times- June 1, 2020 - Nonprofits are no stranger to doing more with less and finding creative ways to tackle community problems with limited budgets. But 2020 has proven to be a year like no other as the world faces a global pandemic and community needs rise to historic proportions.........Continue Reading
New Grocery Shopper Program Aids Seniors: Forty-Five Volunteers Help 235 People; More Clients, Volunteers Welcome
Aptos Times & Captiola Times- June 1, 2020 - Over the past two months as businesses, schools, and nonprofits have shuttered their doors and suspended programs, staff with the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County Senior Programs chose to focus their efforts on finding safe ways to maintain valuable connections with their most vulnerable senior participants........Continue Reading
‘Keep the Lights On’: Human Race Pivots to Virtual Finale
Santa Cruz Sentinel- May 4, 2020 - In its 40th year, Santa Cruz’s Human Race campaign will adapt to the coronavirus pandemic by going fully virtual in support of the county’s nonprofits, schools and faith-based organizations...This Tuesday, “Giving Tuesday Now” nationally, the Volunteer Center will host a watch party premiere for its “Keep the Lights on Santa Cruz County” campaign......Continue Reading
