Calhouns Can(n)ons

Merry Ho-Ho

Press Release on the homeless shelter fundraiser. Plus, don't forget, the food banks have their bins out in front of the supermarkets. And when you hear the Salvation Army's little bells rining, toss a donation in the kettle and give thanks that you're able to do so.

Second Annual Needs and Wishes Holiday Fundraiser
For EOC’s Maxine Lewis Memorial Homeless Shelter

It is estimated that San Luis Obispo County could have up to 4-5,000 homeless, of which a large percentage is comprised of women and children. There are only two overnight shelters in the whole county. One is in North County with approximately 35 beds and the Maxine Lewis Memorial Shelter in San Luis Obispo which shelters 50-85 people per night.
Just imagine for a moment that you and your children are homeless.
You are standing in line for a bed for the night and the last one is given out before you reach the front of the line. It is cold and rainy. Where would you go?

Operated on a shoestring budget and affected by reductions in Federal funding, the Shelter’s needs are always great. This is why Los Ososans are opening their hearts and wallets in the spirit of Christmas. We are having a fundraiser and invite the whole county to join us!
There are no operating expenses for this event. Every penny you donate will go to the Shelter!

December 8th after the Los Osos Christmas Parade
Open House all day from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
South Bay Community Center
2180 Palisades Avenue, Los Osos

Visit and take pictures with Santa Claus.
Free hot cocoa served by the Los Osos 4-H.
SLO Roast Coffee & tea served by Quota Club of Morro Bay.
Free homemade cookies-bring some to share.
Eat hamburgers, hotdogs or veggie burgers at the Elves’ Kitchen.
Shop at Santa’s Toy & Gift Store for your presents-hundreds of toys, tools, small appliances, works of art, gift baskets, store and restaurant gift certificates from county-wide merchants.
Buy extra toys and donate them to “Toys for Tots” or “Operation Santa Claus” at the Fire Dept. Buy Mrs. Claus’s Baked Goods to take home or surprising finds at Santa’s Second Hand Store.
Bid on hundreds of silent auction items all day, including all five SLO County Supervisors who are donating “Lunch with a Supervisor.” Bid high and “bend the ear of a Supervisor.”
Fun raffle items plus special children’s raffle.

Listen to live piano and organ music all day-Marilyn Miller and Martha Hanson among others. Stage entertainment starts at 3:45 Ann Tiber’s Folk Dancers.
4:30 Colleen Wall’s Morro Bay High School Chamber & Los Osos Middle School Stage Choirs.
5:00 Gordon Snapp’s Baywood Elementary School Choir.

Live Auction starting at 5:30 by Gary Freiberg includes a $1700 white gold & pave sapphire pendant designed and donated by Gold Tree Jewelers of Morro Bay.
Pianist Johnny Cannan will end the evening leading us singing Christmas Carols.

There is no admission, just donate whatever you can!
Collect your change and bring it to help us fill the big water jugs. Last year we filled two.
Come have fun and join your neighbors for holiday cheer!

Tax-deductible checks can be made out to:
“Maxine Lewis Memorial Shelter”
The South Bay Community Center in Los Osos will host this event every year right after the
Los Osos Christmas Parade because there is an ongoing need, so mark your calendars for December ‘08.
For more information, please call 805-528-5800