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Volunteer Opportunities
There’s nothing quite like living in a close-knit community that genuinely cares for each other. When you choose to volunteer, not only do you get to share your valuable skills, you’ll also be improving the lives of those in our community. Here in Cambria, with various organizations, there are so many great opportunities to get involved and truly make a difference. Whether your interests lie in preserving nature, guiding children, or aiding senior citizens, your help is needed and will be greatly appreciated. Whether you have lots of time to spare or only a few hours for a special event, we can make it work. With your help, we can continue to keep our community connected and devoted to each other.
Meet our Volunteers
Kitty Guthrie
What does volunteering at the Chamber of Commerce mean to you?
It’s a great way to meet Chamber members & the good feeling one gets from helping our tourists, who are literally the lifeblood of this awesome little town.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
Gardening, arts & crafts, reading, sewing & many of our local activities.
What’s the best thing about Cambria?
Everything! There’s great dining, shopping, lodging, wildlife, open space, moderate climate, gorgeous beaches & a plethora of activities. It’s a piece of paradise!
DeRoy Jensen
What does volunteering at the Chamber of Commerce mean to you?
A chance for me to slow down & reflect on one of the most important parts of life: service
to others. I also enjoy providing solid answers to questions from visitors around the
world.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
Shiny, sharp, pointy things, suits of armor, anything steampunk, old coins, antique automobile & working on my treehouse/pole house when weather permits
What’s the best thing about Cambria?
Location, location, location! The funky town itself… folks who live here and the folks who
briefly want to visit.
Karen Chrisman
What does volunteering at the Chamber of Commerce mean to you?
Two main things:
1. It keeps me on my toes about what’s going on in Cambria.
2. It’s an enlightening experience to talk with visitors from all over our country and the world.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
Playing Mah Jongg, both with real people and online, Thursday-Sunday crossword puzzles in
the LA & NY Times.
What’s the best thing about Cambria?
There are lots of best things about Cambria and one of them is volunteering at the Chamber of
Commerce!
Megg McNamee
What does volunteering at the Chamber of Commerce mean to you?
An opportunity to welcome visitors to Cambria- my favorite place!
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
Photography, travel.
What’s the best thing about Cambria?
People that live here, proximity to coast & natural beauty.
Jerry Demorest
What does volunteering at the Chamber of Commerce mean to you?
Our large variety of interesting and helpful small businesses are the life blood of our community.
What part I can contribute to their success is important to me.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
I am a little known but happy abstract expressionist artist, and I enjoy singing solos at Mozzi’s
on Thursday nights.
What’s the best thing about Cambria?
Beautiful scenery and a large variety of interesting and friendly people.
Janeil Teunissen
What does volunteering at the Chamber of Commerce mean to you?
A working hand for my community encouraging tourists to support businesses I love.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
Hiking, biking, music, wine hopping, singing & painting.
What’s the best thing about Cambria?
The genuine folks and the raw nature.
We are interested in learning more about you. Please fill out the below form for volunteer opportunities.
Community Services
Cambria Chamber of Commerce
(805) 927-3624
https://www.cambriachamber.org
We welcome volunteers for weekly shifts or for specific events.
Beautify Cambria
(805) 927-1934
http://www.beautifycambria.org/get-involved
A non-profit organization comprised of volunteers to keep Cambria clean and beautiful.
Cambria Anonymous Neighbors (CAN)
(805) 927-5673
http://www.joslynrec.org/CAN/getinvolved.html
A non-profit, all volunteer organization that provides transportation, medical equipment, and
food distribution to those in need in our community. Drivers are in high demand!
Cambria Center for the Arts
(805) 927-8190
https://www.cambriaarts.org/volunteer
There are a lot of volunteer opportunities at the Cambria Center for the Arts including in the Youth Program, Marketing, being a gallery docent…the list goes on.
Cambria Community Council
(805) 927-4173
https://www.cambriacommunitycouncil.org
The mission of the Cambria Community Council is to provide transportation services to seniors and the disabled, and to support non-profit organizations in the communities of San Simeon and Cambria. Volunteer drivers are always needed. If you want to volunteer to drive or just need more information about driving, call Warren Gay at 1 (805) 440-2870 or Tony Church at 1 (805) 927-1442.
Cambria Community Scholarship Foundation
info@cambriacsf.com
www.cambriacsf.com
We are committed to supporting local students from Cambria’s public high schools in their pursuit of higher education by providing inspiration, guidance, and resources for their academic advancement. Our organization meets monthly to actively promote and participate in community initiatives that emphasize the importance of education.
Cambria Historical Society
(805) 927-2891
https://www.cambriahistoricalsociety.com
There’s a lot going on at the Cambria Historical Museum and what we do is all about our volunteers. Tours. Reunions. Classes. Research. School visits. And more. A non-profit, our dedicated volunteers have served the community well for two decades.
CAPSLO/Head Start
(805) 544-4355
https://capslo.org/volunteer
There are many opportunities to volunteer with CAPSLO, including Head Start, Early Head Start or Migrant Head Start programs. Tasks include playing with children, helping to clean and organize, read, play and other tasks as needed.
Coast Little League
https://www.coastll.com/Default.aspx?tabid=2734810
Anyone can apply to become a volunteer with Coast Little League. Whatever talents or skills you have, they can use them.
Camp Ocean Pines
(805) 927-0254
https://campoceanpines.org
There are many volunteer opportunities, including Board and Policy Volunteers, for folks who want to utilize their professional skills to advance the mission from an oversight and advisory level. Ongoing support volunteers for projects or weekly needs. Can’t make a long commitment? They also have opportunities for One-Time volunteers for events, fundraisers, community open houses/work days and more! Board and Policy Volunteers reach out to Andrew (805) 924-4013 or andrew@campoceanpines.org. All other volunteers reach out to Rick (805) 924-4014 or rick@campoceanpines.org
Coastal Discovery Center
(805) 801-0773
https://montereybay.noaa.gov/vc/cdc/volunteers.html
Representing California State Parks and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, volunteers at the Coastal Discovery Center interpret local natural history to visitors world-wide, assist with field trips, host public outreach events, and participate in citizen science programs. No experience necessary! Training is provided.
Coast Union Bronco Booster Club
(805) 927-3889
www.coastunion.coastusd.org/boosters
Join in as parents and community members work together to foster parent and community support for Coast Union High School sponsored activities. Boost support and encourage participation in social, academic, and athletic activities.
Friends of the Elephant Seals
(805) 924-1628
https://elephantseal.org
Become a Docent on the Elephant Seal bluff and meet people from all around the world.
Friends of the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
(805) 927-2856
www.fiscaliniranchpreserve.org/connect/volunteer
Become a Force of Nature by volunteering for FFRP! From the board of directors to docents who guide walks, and from event organizers to tree planters and ranch weeders, it takes everyone working together to protect and sustain the natural beauty of the ranch
Greenspace: The Cambria Land Trust
(805) 927-2866
www.greenspacecambria.org/volunteer
Greenspace has many opportunities for volunteers! Volunteers are needed for office assistance, upcoming events, tree plantings, docent opportunities are open at the Historic Chinese Temple and Native Plant Gardens.
Meals that Connect
(805) 927-1268
https://mealsthatconnect.org/get-involved/#volunteer
Meals That Connect provides free, hot, noontime meals every weekday to seniors 60 years of age and over throughout SLO County including Cambria. They couldn’t do what they do without the 300 volunteers that selflessly serve the seniors throughout SLO County.
Native Daughters of the Golden West/Contact President Anne Bennett
(805) 927-2652
https://www.ndgw.org
The Cambria El Pinal Parlor No. 163 welcomes applicants for membership to all women 16 or over who were born in California. They actively support local events and a scholarship program. Native Daughters supports their Children’s Foundation to help families afford medical assistance, helps veterans, participates in restoring missions and lighthouses, and helps make our Golden State prosper through other civic activities.
Small Wonders Pre-school
(805) 924-1875
https://www.cambriapres.org/preschool
The perfect opportunity to help kids! Volunteers are always welcome to help read stories, help with art projects, and help clean up after snacks! Very much like a classroom aide with the most fulfilling rewards!
Wildlife Rehabilitation
(805) 543-9453
https://pacificwildlifecare.org/opportunities
Pacific Wildlife Care (PWC) is San Luis Obispo County’s only licensed rehabilitation center that cares for injured birds, mammals, and reptiles. Reward yourself by becoming a Wildlife Hotline or Rescue/Transport volunteer! Or volunteer directly at the Rehabilitation Center by working in the Baby Bird Room, Front Desk or help with Facility Maintenance. Not only does PWC need assistance in the care of thousands of wildlife patients, they also could use your help with fundraising, grant writing, and other administrative tasks.
Local Service Organizations
American Legion Post 432
805-927-3065
www.Legionpost432.com
Open to all veterans who have served in the military during times of war. Check website for bar hours – call for weekly community dinner information.
Sons of the American Legion Post 432
www.Legionpost432.com/sal.htm
S.A.L. Members include males of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the U.S. military.
American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 432
www.Legionpost432.com/auxiliary.html
Membership consists of women whose family members have served in the military during wartime. Working together supporting the aims and goals of the American Legion and numerous charitable and worthwhile organizations by conducting various fundraising campaigns and special events.
Cambria Connection
(805) 927-1654
www.thecambriaconnection.org
Hosting 12-step meetings and other community events. Bilingual services are available. Provides support groups, counseling services, social activities and much more! 1069 Main St., Unit B (upstairs)
Cambria Scarecrows
805-395-2399
www.cambriascarecrows.com
Through the creation and annual public display of scarecrows, the Cambria Scarecrow Festival, Inc. provides a sustainable, inclusive, collaborative set of programs to encourage artistic creativity and visibility to the communities of Cambria and San Simeon.
Friends of the Cambria Library
805-927-4336
www.cambriafol.org
Friends of the Cambria Library is a wonderful volunteer-run bookstore stocked with donated books for our community. It’s a bookstore, with great prices! Located in the Cambria Library at 1043 Main St.
H.A.R.T. Homeless Animal Rescue Team
805-927-7377
www.hartcambria.org
Adoption center, primarily for cats. Offers a retail shop with dog and cat products and gifts. 2638 Main St.
Independent Order of Oddfellows, Hesperian Lodge #181
Helping to make our community a better place. P.O. Box 42, Cambria, CA 93442
oddfellows181cambria@gmail.com
The Joslyn Center
805-927-3364
www.joslynrec.org
Consists of recreational clubs, provides community services and rental facilities in the heart of Cambria. With classes and activities including bridge, the Cambria Chorale, couples dance, dancercize, fishing club, inner rhythm, investment club, lawn bowls, Lions Club, Mah Jongg, poker, rough writers, spirit dance & drum, and table tennis.
Lions Club of Cambria
805-927-9903
www.cambrialions.org
Serving Cambria, doing what is necessary to help our local community. Meets at the Joslyn Recreation Center.
Rotary Club of Cambria
805-395-2775
http://www.cambriarotary.org
Meets Fridays at noon at The San Simeon Bar & Grill 9520 Castillo in San Simeon.
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