Timed to coincide with National 2-1-1 Day, CommUnify will host the second annual 2-1-1 Community Day Celebration, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 at Minami Community Center, 600 W. Enos Drive, Santa Maria.
Sponsored by the nonprofit’s Energy Services program, the event is free to attend. Because CommUnify serves residents countywide, the event location will alternate between North-, Mid-, and South-County each year. The 2024 celebration is being be held in Santa Maria for the first time.
The Community Day Celebration will feature some 50 booths from community organizations, including Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, Family Service Agency, Community Health Centers, MICOP, Dignity Health, California Farmworkers Association, Planned Parenthood and Community Partners in Education; and Santa Barbara County departments such as Social Services, ReadySBC, Behavioral Wellness, and the Office of Emergency Management.
The organizations will provide information and giveaways to attendees, offer no-cost vaccines and health screenings for children and adults.
Other highlights include a live radio broadcast with Lalo from 100.3 La Ley, children’s activities, door prizes, and a free hot dog lunch for all attendees.
“CommUnify’s Energy Services program is excited to sponsor this event once again for the Santa Barbara County community, which highlights the amazing work of 2-1-1’s agency partners and the vast array of free and low-cost services they provide,” said Elisa Pardo, associate director of community services for CommUnify.
“Last year’s inaugural event in Lompoc was extremely successful with more than 300 local residents in attendance, so we know this year’s will be even more impactful in educating the Santa Maria community about the variety of services available to them, by simply dialing 2-1-1,” Pardo said.
CommUnify’s Childrens Services program will provide free hearing screenings; Savie Health will do blood pressure checks and mental health assessments; Community Health Centers and County Public Health will offer free flu and Covid vaccines, all at no cost.
Free haircuts will be provided by the Cosmoton Barber Academy. And each attendee will receive a raffle ticket and be entered to win door prizes.
“It is our hope that this year’s 2-1-1 Community Day Celebration in Santa Maria will continue to grow and expand, building upon each years’ success,” said Patricia Keelean, CommUnify CEO.
“With so many Santa Barbara County organizations on our 2-1-1 HelpLine’s referral list, an event like this shines a bright spotlight on the vital work they do for residents countywide,’ she said. “In a sense, 2-1-1 Day brings the call center to the community, providing face-to-face contact with these valuable resources available to them.”
Learn more about CommUnify’s programs and services visit www.CommUnifySB.org. For more on the 2-1-1 Community Day Celebration please visit 211santabarbaracounty.org.
To learn more about the breadth of services available through 2-1-1 visit https://211santabarbaracounty.org/.
CommUnify (formerly CAC/Community Action Commission) was formed in 1964 as a 15-member Community Action Committee appointed by the County Board of Supervisors to address the causes and conditions of poverty in Santa Barbara County. It became a 501c(3) nonprofit organization in 1967.
The organization is committed to taking a leadership position in alleviating poverty, and surrounding residents with the stability they need to build stronger lives and become healthy, educated, working, self-sufficient members of our community.
CommUnify is a private nonprofit agency sustained by support from individuals, family and corporate foundations, and government grants. More information is available at: www.CommUnifySB.org.