Editor: With the failure of voters to approve Prop 21, our state parks will be facing another round of budget cuts from Sacramento. Earlier this year our Sonoma State Historical Park was closed on Thursdays and the Petaluma Adobe SHP was closed three days a week. Unless other funding is forthcoming, there could be increased closure days at both of these parks in 2011.
The Sonoma SHP is a vital part of our downtown area and is a magnet for visitors to Sonoma. Our Sonoma Mission, Barracks and Vallejo Home provide an opportunity for students to learn first-hand about California history. The Mission also hosts the annual Children’s Day and Christmas at the Mission events, which are appreciated by the entire community.
To minimize park closure days and to ensure that events like Christmas at the Mission are able to continue, the Sonoma SHP urgently needs more financial support from local residents and businesses. Here are several ways that people can contribute, with 100 percent of their donations earmarked to benefit our two local state historic parks:
Make a cash donation to the Sonoma/Petaluma State Historic Parks Association, a non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to the “SPSHPA” and mailed to P.O. Box 1702, Sonoma, CA 95476 – or deposit cash in the plastic donation box at the Sonoma Mission.
Do your gift shopping at the Barracks Store. All profits are for the benefit of the Sonoma SHP.
Join the SPSHPA at the regular annual membership rate of $25, or more if you choose. Mail your dues check to the SPSHPA at the above address. Members receive free entry to most special events and get a 20 percent discount at the Barracks Gift Store.
Enroll as a docent or volunteer with the Sonoma SHP.
For more information, please contact Rick Arendt at 996.4978. Thank you for your support.
Rick Arendt
President – SPSHPA
Sonoma
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