SANTA MARIA,
ALL-AMERICAN CITY!

The prestigious award of "All-American City" - given by the National Civic League and Allstate Insurance - goes to the winners of the top ten American cities, following a busy three-day contest in Mobile, Alabama. Santa Maria proudly won this award!

For forty-nine years, The All-America City award has encouraged and recognized civic excellence, honoring communities of all sizes in which citizens, business and voluntary organizations work together. The award is based on a presentation by civic leaders, who feature three projects that rallied community resources to help solve some problems.

Certainly, there is plenty to tout regarding Santa Maria.

• In addition to the Healthy Start Program, Peace Week 1997 and Los Adobes de Maria, there is the annual Elks Rodeo, which raises money for youth recreation on the Central Coast.
• The support generated for the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Marian Medical Center, PCPA and the Coastal Valley Symphony, among other community groups.
• Fund-raising activities for little Stephanie Show, which has called attention to Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva, a rare genetic disease that turns muscle and cartilage into bone.
• The great contributions made by civics clubs and organizations such as the Rotary and Kiwanis, and the cooperative nature of such groups as the Industry Education Council.
• And many more attributes, including Hancock College, PCPA, Blue Ribbon Schools, great weather, plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and a thriving wine industry.

Santa Maria is a vibrant, growing city that is multicultural and caring. "All-America" means that we find a problem and fix it. Santa Maria is All-America in every way.