Cal Poly Football Team Volunteers with Habitat SLO
The football team from California Polytechnic State University spent Friday giving back to the community by volunteering at the Habitat SLO ReStore, supporting the mission of Habitat for Humanity San Luis Obispo County.
The student-athletes rolled up their sleeves to help relocate heavy doors and reorganize large storage items throughout the store. Their hard work saved Habitat staff significant time and energy while freeing up valuable floor space—making room for new inventory that will help fund affordable housing and home preservation projects across San Luis Obispo County.
In addition to reorganizing inventory, team members stepped in to assist several customers with loading heavy purchases into their vehicles, offering an extra set of hands and a strong show of community spirit. Moving oversized materials like solid-core doors and bulky storage units typically requires extensive staff coordination and physical effort. With the team’s strength and teamwork, the job was completed efficiently and safely in a single afternoon.
Coach Jeff Shuman expressed appreciation for the partnership, saying, “Colleen and the staff at Habitat SLO are great! We are thankful to find a community partner like them and look forward to many more volunteer opportunities.”
The volunteer day reflects a shared commitment to community investment and service. The ReStore generates critical funding through the sale of donated furniture, appliances, building materials, and home décor. Every item sold supports local families working toward safe, affordable housing.
Habitat SLO welcomes volunteer groups from businesses, schools, and community organizations interested in making a tangible, lasting impact.
For more information about volunteering or donating to the Habitat SLO ReStore, visit habitatslo.org or stop by the store to see how shopping secondhand builds first-class impact.
Home Sweet Home: A Brunch to Build Futures
Thank you to everyone who attended our first-ever Home Sweet Home: A Brunch to Build Futures fundraiser at Lone Madrone Winery. Over stacks of sourdough pancakes, we celebrated the spirit of home, connection, and community. And raised over $7,500!
Guests were welcomed with the rich aroma of fresh sourdough pancakes sizzling on the griddle—courtesy of Habitat SLO Board Chair Truitt Vance (owner of Ashley & Vance Engineering, Inc.) and his daughter Lily, who cooked up their famous pancakes using a 14-year-old sourdough starter! Their special recipe, perfected over the years, brought smiles and second helpings all around.
The morning featured a delicious pancake buffet complete with yogurt, fruit, coffee, and other breakfast favorites. Our gracious hosts at Lone Madrone Winery treated guests to three complimentary tastings, creating the perfect pairing of good food, good wine, and even better company.
This event wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors, whose partnership truly embodies what it means to build community:
Albertsons – Paso Robles
Ashley & Vance Engineering, Inc.
Atascadero Chamber of Commerce
Blueprinters & Graphics
GEOSolutions, Inc.
Hope Lutheran Church
Human Bean
Idler’s Home
Lone Madrone Winery
Madonna Inn
Malik Real Estate Group, Inc.
Semmes & Co. Builders, Inc.
Templeton Glass
Thrivent Financial
Trader Joe’s – Templeton
Two Knights Insurance
Vons – Atascadero
Together, we raised awareness and funds for our Home Preservation efforts—ensuring more local homeowners can continue living safely and comfortably in their homes for years to come.
From sourdough pancakes to shared stories and laughter, Home Sweet Home: A Brunch to Build Futures, reminded us that community isn’t just where we live—it’s how we care for one another.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, supported us, and continues to believe in Habitat’s mission. Because of you, home is that much sweeter in SLO County.
MUST! Charities – The Pitch – Help Habitat SLO Raise the Roof!
Mark your calendars — November 6, 2025 is the night when passion, innovation, and community collide at The Pitch, hosted by MUST! Charities. And guess what? Habitat for Humanity SLO County is in the spotlight this year.
It’s not just another fundraiser. It’s an investment in us—our mission, our neighbors, our future. When you buy a ticket, you’re doing more than attending an event. You’re placing a bet on the kind of community we want to live in: one where everyone has a decent, safe place to call home.
What is The Pitch?
If you’ve never been, here’s the play-by-play:
- Over several months, nonprofit organizations (like us) are coached, challenged, and polished up to present a 3-minute “pitch” — think Shark Tank, but for community impact.
- On November 6, finalists deliver their pitches to a live audience and a panel of judges.
- The top three pitches win cash prizes. But every attendee has the power to donate directly to the nonprofits on stage.
- The event kicks off with a welcome reception and ends with a dessert mingle. You’ll meet the coaches, the teams, and get behind-the-scenes insight into dreams made real.
In short: it’s part gala, part pitch competition, and all about impact.
Why Habitat SLO County is Pitching
We believe that home is more than four walls — it’s stability, dignity, and opportunity. Being part of The Pitch lets us:
- Sharpen our vision — the coaching and strategy sessions help us clarify goals that serve you better.
- Gain visibility & connections — show the community what we’re up to and build relationships with like-minded supporters.
- Raise flexible funds — prize money and direct donations can help where it’s needed most, whether that’s building, repair, or program support.
- Strengthen for the long haul — the tools and lessons from The Pitch stick around, helping us sustain and grow.
We’re proud to be one of the 2025 participants, coached by Emily Rutter and Brittany Malone Thompson.
How YOU Can Help (beyond applause)
As a valued supporter of Habitat SLO, here’s how you can join:
- Buy tickets & come to the event
Bring friends, family, colleagues. Your presence matters.
(Psst — tickets include reception, dinner, dessert, and that feeling of doing something meaningful.) - Donate directly at the event
Even small amounts can add up. Every dollar tells us you believe in this work. - Spread the word
Share this blog post. Post on social media. Invite friends to the event. Tell them why you believe in Habitat’s cause. - Be part of the momentum
Use your network — perhaps you know someone who’d like to sponsor, match gifts, or volunteer.
What You’ll Experience
- A high-energy night of inspiration — we promise you’ll leave electrified.
- Meet the other nonprofits doing amazing work in SLO County. (We’re in great company!)
- Enjoy tasty food, fine wine, and delightful desserts — because impact and celebration go hand in hand.
- See firsthand how your investment dollars turn into action.
Why It Matters
Too often, nonprofits operate in silos or race against the clock. The Pitch encourages strategy over scrappiness, collaboration over competition, and sustainable impact over short-term fixes. It’s a powerful example of how collective giving can produce collective good.
For Habitat SLO County, being part of this process means we can keep building more, helping more, doing more — and doing it smarter.
We’d be honored to see you on November 6, cheering us on! With your ticket, your donation, and your voice, you become part of a movement to build stronger, healthier communities in SLO County.
So go ahead — commit. Share. Show up.
Let’s make this Pitch one for the books. Let’s build homes, communities, and hope!
American Riviera Bank builds playhouse for ECHO
Employees bond by building joy for local children
Volunteering to give back to a community can take many forms, and recently, employees at American Riviera Bank decided to give back by building joy for local children. The Playhouse Build program is a unique Habitat for Humanity San Luis Obispo County (Habitat SLO) initiative that unites creative volunteers and generous sponsors to create custom playhouses for deserving local families. The program aims to provide children with a space to play, create, and call their own, while offering a meaningful team-building experience for participants.
“American Riviera Bank is committed to making a difference in our communities,” shared Steven Harding, American Riviera Bank Executive Vice President Regional President. “The Bank was eager to partner with Habitat for Humanity since we both invest in the community to strengthen the overall financial health of its citizens. This Playhouse build through Habitat SLO afforded us the opportunity to give back in a really meaningful and tangible way. We loved creating a space where children feel safe and have opportunities to work on essential life skills.”
“If you know of a family whose children would benefit from a fun place to play and dream, nominate them today,” shared Colleen Stefanek, Habitat SLO Volunteer and Marketing Coordinator. Nominations for families to receive a playhouse are open year-round, and the community is encouraged to nominate deserving local families. In this instance, multiple families will enjoy this playhouse as they are transitioning into permanent housing through the El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO).
“Additionally, we have a special relationship with ECHO and are so thrilled that the children and families that ECHO serves will get to enjoy the playhouse,” said Harding.
Consider sponsoring a Playhouse Build for your business, group, or team. Learn more on our website.
Announcing the ReStore-It Challenge
Join our new sustainable challenge and showcase your creativity and talent
This July, we are hosting a ReStore-It Challenge to support local affordable housing for families in need and to promote sustainability. From June 4th to July 31st, anyone can enter by purchasing a $20 ReStore credit and taking home a piece of furniture to fix up from the San Luis Obispo or Paso Robles ReStore. Bring it back to the respective store by July 31 for customer voting. Winners will be announced August 17 at The Big Deal ReStore Anniversary Event.
Entering the ReStore-It Challenge allows participants to show off their skills with creativity, traditional restoration, or innovation to revive their piece while promoting sustainable consumer habits. “Each year, Americans throw out more than 12 million tons of furniture,” the New York Times wrote in one article. Renewing and repurposing furniture gives it a second chance and keeps it out of landfills; so far this year, local ReStore customers prevented 686,650 pounds of usable materials from ending up in the trash.
“Dining room tables and chairs, dressers, bookshelves, hutches, coffee tables – there is so much to choose from,” states Stephanie Wright, Habitat SLO ReStores Manager. “It’s nice to see old pieces come back to life in other ways.”
Participants can proudly exhibit their project by taking photos to show progress, posting photos on Instagram with #ReStoreItChallenge and tagging @HabitatSLOReStores.
ReStore credit can be used on store items and the proceeds go towards Habitat’s affordable housing, Home Preservation, and Neighborhood Revitalization programs.
Pictured, ReStores Manager Stephanie Wright sands a table in our Paso Robles ReStore workshop.
Fore more information about the challenge, visit the ReStore-It Challenge web page linked below.
Women Build Mixer Held at Year of Beer Fundraising Series
Nearly 100 attendees attend Women Build Year of Beer networking event to raise funds for affordable housing in SLO County.
Habitat for Humanity San Luis Obispo County (Habitat SLO), the Home Builders
Association (HBA) of the Central Coast, and the Central Coast’s Professional Women in Building Council (PWB) hosted a mixer on March 20 at The Hub in San Luis Obispo. Nearly 100 attendees networked, learned more about volunteer opportunities, and enjoyed Central Coast brews by beer sponsor Covelop, Inc.
Because of its success, organizers plan to make it an annual event. Central Coast Brewing owner George Peterson looks forward to the collaboration. “Central Coast Brewing is proud to work with philanthropic organizations that exist for the greater good, and Habitat for Humanity SLO County is a great match,” said Peterson. “The HUB and CCB are proud to help make this organization stronger. The Year of Beer
event was a great start to what I feel will be a long and strong relationship.”
Beer lovers and community supporters can enjoy Central Coast Brewery beers while benefitting a worthy cause. Attendees receive a ReStore token to earn special discounts at the Paso and San Luis Obispo ReStores. Funds raised go to support Habitat for Humanity’s mission of building homes, communities, and hope.
Year of Beer events occur once or twice a month at local breweries and establishments and part of sales proceeds raise funds for Habitat SLO’s Home Preservation, Affordable Housing, and Neighborhood Revitalization programs.
On April 15, SLO Provisions in San Luis Obispo will host the next event in Habitat SLO’s Year of Beer series. Wine Night will run from 4:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. Habitat staff will be behind the bar pouring for Non-Profit Monday. Partial proceeds from wine sales and all guest-bartender tips will go toward building and restoring homes for members of the local community.
On April 18th California Coast Beer Co. in Paso Robles will not only be serving up fantastic beers but also host a concert by country artist Maggie Baugh. Tickets are on sale now at www.eventbrite.com and 100% of tickets sales benefit Habitat SLO
Paso Robles Brewing Co. will host on May 3 from noon – 5 P.M., Humdinger Brewing in Arroyo Grande on June 4, Ancient Owl in Atascadero on July 9, and Ancient Owl in San Luis Obispo on July 30. On August 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th , Brightside Pizza in Los Osos will offer a beer brewed especially for Habitat SLO as well as a specialty Habitat SLO pizza pie.
“Don’t miss out on the chance to be a part of this fun initiative,” said Dawn Smith, Director of Development. “With the generous support of our partners and event attendees, we can continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of local families by providing them with safe, affordable housing as well as help senior citizens safely age in place. Join us for a year-long celebration of giving back to the community!”
View our website for more information on Women Build and Year of Beer.
Re-Introducing Women Build Initiative in SLO County
Building Joy in SLO County
Eleven women chose to spend a Saturday making a significant difference in the lives of two local families in SLO County. These compassionate volunteers built two playhouses, providing creative and fun spaces for children to call their own. This project marked the revival of the Women Build initiative in the area, showcasing the power of women joining together to enact positive change.
Michelle McCovey Good, T&S Structural President, said, “It was super inspiring to see women of all backgrounds and generations come together with their skills and creativity to put together the playhouses. I would definitely encourage other businesses to sponsor a playhouse build. The theme of “everyone deserves to play” is a unique concept that we frequently overlook. It was great to celebrate the joy that the playhouse will bring to a local child.”
This project was possible with the generous support of T & S Structural, Morris & Garritano Insurance, Lucy’s Coffee Co., and Mr. Pickles. Sponsorships are vital to Habitat SLO’s work. McCovey-Good shared, “Habitat SLO is a unique entity in our county, who rarely qualifies, or is awarded the community grants that other affordable housing organizations utilize to build multifamily dwellings. Therefore, Habitat is completely dependent upon local donors, some state grants, and the revenue from the Restores to fund their builds. The work Habitat does changes the lives of local families who would otherwise not be able to ever experience home ownership in our community. It is an effort worth supporting to help maintain the economic vitality of our County.”
If you’re inspired by this project and want to get involved in future Women Build initiatives, contact Dawn Smith at (805) 316-1192.
Your support will make a meaningful difference in SLO County.
Click the button below to learn more about the Playhouse Build program.