About Petaluma Active 20-30 #30
History of Petaluma #30
Petaluma chartered as 20-30 Club #30 in 1928, and later became Active 20-30 Club #30, with the merger of the Active and 20-30 service organizations. Members adopted the club slogan “When we do things, we do them right!” and ran a variety of local projects such as maintaining school crossings, holding fundraisers for local charities, and was instrumental in bringing a new hospital to the town (Hillcrest Hospital) in the 1950’s. Over the years, the club was forced to disband when membership waned- particularly as young men were drafted into service during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.
In the 1980’s, membership in Active 20-30 US & Canada was opened to women, and many clubs throughout the organization became co-ed. In August 2009, Santa Rosa #50 sponsored the re-chartering of Petaluma #30, now as a club for men and women.
Petaluma #30 Now
In 2019 we celebrated our 10th Anniversary since re-chartering, and 10 years of success and service in Petaluma. We are a social club that enjoys helping our community! Petaluma Active 20-30 hosts fun events to benefit our community and, specifically, underprivileged children around us. Additionally, the proceeds we raise go to benefit those children in need.
Petaluma Active 20-30 #30’s biggest charitable event each year is the Children’s Shopping Spree. In August, before the school year starts, the club sponsors underprivileged children to go back-to-school shopping at Kohl’s in Petaluma. Members and volunteers take the children to shop the store before it opens to the public. Often, this is the first time these kids have owned a brand new pair of shoes or clothes that are not hand-me-downs. They are also given a backpack full of school supplies, a haircut, and a hot breakfast. We want kids to return to the classroom full of self-esteem and ready to learn!
We also work closely with many other organizations in the community to support each others goals in serving local underprivileged youth:
COTS (Committee on the Shelterless) - We routinely partner with COTS for referrals to our annual Children’s Shopping Spree. We also built and stocked a children’s library at the shelter, provide meals, gifts, and entertainment during the holidays, and host children’s activities at various fundraising events in support of COTS!
Friends of the Petaluma River - Volunteer activities have included participation in river cleanup days, and of course helping out at Rivertown Revival!
Girls on the Run Sonoma County - Our members regularly serve as Running Buddies at their semiannual 5K events, have served as group coaches, and even participated as “Solemates” on their fundraising teams in the Napa Valley Ragnar Relay.
Just Between Friends - Petaluma Active 20-30 #30 is the official charity partner of Just Between Friends North Bay, which was awarded the 2019 Innovation & Impact Gold Award by the International Franchise Association. JBF organizers (and former #30 members) Jennifer and Matt Hundley are huge supporters of our club, and we love to support them by volunteering at their semiannual family consignment sale!
The LIME Foundation - We support the Lime Foundation in their mission to help kids develop skills in music and the performing arts, construction, technology and health, sponsoring students for the NextGen Trades Academy, and have been honored to have Letitia Hanke as a recurring judge at our Burning Ham BBQ fundraiser!
Mentor Me Petaluma - Members are regular participants and volunteers at Mentor Me’s annual Bocce Ball tournament, the Mad Hatter Ball, and we encourage members to act as mentors when possible.
Petaluma Educational Foundation - In 2017, we launched the Petaluma Active 20-30 Scholarship through PEF, awarding $500 scholarships to local high school seniors from Petaluma High School and Casa Grande High School who have demonstrated a commitment to serving their community, and strive for academic excellence; especially those who have done so in the face of personal and socioeconomic hardships. In 2020, we were proud to offer these scholarships to seven deserving local students!
Race for Kids - Petaluma Kids Gran Fondo - Members from our club have volunteered at every Kids Gran Fondo since they began in 2013, and in 2019, we were honored to take over as the event organizer for the Annual Sonoma County Kids Gran Fondo! We look forward to making the event bigger and better in the years to come, and continuing the “Kids Helping Kids” mission.
Rebuilding Together Petaluma - Members have loved participating in RTP’s semiannual workdays, helping to clean, repair, and redecorate homes for low-income families and seniors in need.
War Wagon BBQ - This recent addition to the Petaluma food scene has been making a mark on the community, and have been wonderful supporters of Petaluma Active 20-30, organizing fundraisers to donate to our efforts for underprivileged kids- and we have loved supporting their events in return!