What is the most extraordinary thing about the Patagonia area?
One top answer is surely the vibrant network of nonprofit organizations that add so much to our quality of life here. There’s a good chance you’re involved with one or more already.
These organizations are so woven into daily life here that their presence can seem “normal.” In fact, it is anything but. When it comes to the number of nonprofits per capita, Patagonia is literally off the charts!
We have TEN TIMES the national average number of nonprofits for an area our size!
The 85624 zip code has about 1,400 people. If you apply the national rate of nonprofits per capita for small towns (between 8 and 12 per 5,000 people), you’d expect between two and four organizations for our population size.
We’re in a different league altogether: We have over two dozen nonprofits serving our area. Ten times the national rate. Our organizations provide social services, enhance arts and education, protect our environment and form the pillars of civic life, including the library, the volunteer fire department, the churches, and more.
All will be represented at the Community Confab Ice Cream Social and Non-Profit Fair, which will celebrate this unique Superpower on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Patagonia Lumber Company.
Everyone is invited, and we’ll be serving free ice cream! Mike Hogan and Anu will play live music.
At least 25 organizations will be there to share information about their missions, services and ways to get involved. This is NOT a fundraising event. It’s for learning more about what makes our community tick, and for discovering ways to enrich your life.
Participating in organizations’ activities brings many personal benefits beyond receiving services or supporting their missions, too. You can meet new friends, learn about nature, art or history, take up healthy activities, and generally get the most from our friendly small-town lifestyle.
Whether you’re new to the area or want an easy way to catch up with our great organizations, the Community Confab is your one-stop-shopping opportunity to explore the possibilities.
Come immerse yourself in the community vibe that makes Patagonia so special!
Community Confab participants registered so far:
- Patagonia Regional Times
- KPUP Radio
- St. Therese Catholic Church
- Mountain Empire Rotary
- Patagonia Community Garden
- Patagonia United Methodist Church & Thrift Shop
- Patagonia Volunteer Fire & Rescue
- Patagonia Regional Aquatics Center (PRAC)
- Sky Islands Tourism Association (SITA)
- Borderlands Restoration Network
- Friends of Sonoita Creek
- Community Homes of Patagonia (CHOP)
- Eastern Santa Cruz County Community Food Bank
- Family Healthcare Amigos
- Voices from the Border
- Mat Bevel Company
- Patagonia Parent-Teacher Booster Club
- Patagonia Youth Education Center
- Patagonia Creative Arts Association
- Santa Cruz Foundation for Performing Arts
- Friends of Patagonia Library
- Senior Citizens of Patagonia
- Mountain Empire Trails Association (META)
- Paton Center – Tucson Bird Alliance
- The Dirtbags
- Cienega Watershed Partnership