5 Nonprofits To Get Behind In The Rohnert Park, Cotati Area

ROHNERT PARK AND COTATI, CA — Nonprofit groups are keystone community organizations in the Rohnert Park and Cotati area.

Fortunately, there is no shortage of organizations to volunteer or get behind financially, and that need your help.

Here are five outstanding nonprofit groups you should know about in Rohnert Park, Cotati and the North Bay:

1. Education Foundation of Cotati and Rohnert Park uses donor contributions and the proceeds of a variety of fundraising activities to provide otherwise unavailable funds for education programs in local classrooms. The nonprofit organization was founded in 1983 in response to the reality of dwindling state funds available to support education excellence in the community. To date, grants totaling over $1 million have been distributed to local teachers and administrators. For information about community sponsorship levels or to make a donation, call 707-480-6408.

2. Friends of the Rohnert Park-Cotati Library is a nonprofit volunteer organization incorporated in 1976. Through the sale of used books and other media donated by the community, it provides funding for materials and programs not otherwise available through the library system. The Friends’ primary fundraising activity is the resale of donated new and used books, magazines, CDs, DVDs and other printed materials through its bookstore and additional book sales. Volunteers are needed in several areas, such as to help process more than 100,000 donated items per year. Community members can pick up a volunteer application from the Friends' Bookstore at the Rohnert Park-Cotati Library. The organization is always accepting donations of new and used books, CDs, DVDs and magazines (less than 2 years old). Call 707-584-9121 for more information.

3. Redwood Empire Food Bank has over 350 monthly food distribution sites in five counties: Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte. Within these sites, Redwood Empire Food Bank operates 11 innovative programs under three strategic hunger relief initiatives: Every Child Every Day providing food to 33,000 at-risk chidren; Senior Security, providing food to 13,000 low-income seniors; and Neighborhood Hunger Network, providing groceries to 117,000 individuals. Residents wishing to help can donate their time as a volunteer or make a food or monetary donation. "It's not one or the other — we need all of it. Every dollar, every minute and every food donation makes a difference." Visit Refb.org/ways-to-give/ for more information.

4. The Salvation Army has North Bay locations in Santa Rosa, Napa and Petaluma. The international organization is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church and strives to meet needs without discrimination. The Santa Rosa location offers multiple social services, including food boxes, emergency shelter, transitional housing and more. It also helps out in times of natural disaster, such as the North Bay fires of 2017. Currently, the greatest need at the Santa Rosa Corps Community Center, 93 Stony Circle in Santa Rosa, is non-perishable food items. Call 707-542-0981 to find out how to help fill the need. See local volunteer opportunities here or set up a one-time or monthly monetary donation through the organization's website.

5. Fire Safe Sonoma has been serving Sonoma County for more than 25 years. The nonprofit educates residents about wildfire prevention, takes on large-scale fuel reduction projects, and created the first chipper program in the county. The organization also acts as a liaison between local communities and agencies and seeks grant funding for wildfire safety-related projects. Donations can be made online and the nonprofit is always in need of volunteers.

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