In honor of National Safety Day on March 4th, we want to highlight how Atascadero has always been a community that takes care of its own. From E.G. Lewis’ founding vision of a city built on connection and purpose, to the neighbors who show up for each other every single day, that spirit is alive and well in A-Town. And the Atascadero Police Foundation (APF) is proud to be part of it.
We’re a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and our mission is simple: strengthen the bond between local law enforcement and the people they serve. Here’s a closer look at how your support makes that happen, and why it matters more than ever.
A Bridge Between Officers and Our Community
Public safety isn’t just about patrol cars and police reports. It’s about trust. It’s about officers knowing the families on their beat, kids seeing law enforcement as neighbors rather than strangers, and a city where people feel safe enough to thrive.
The APF was created in 2024 specifically to support and enhance those connections. We fund programs, events, and resources that the city budget alone can’t always cover and we do it because we believe Atascadero deserves nothing less than the best.
What Your Donations Fund
Every dollar donated to the Atascadero Police Foundation goes directly toward programs that protect people and build community. In addition to supporting local youth recreation and leadership programs, these are the types of APF initiatives where the impact shows up:
Officer Training, Equipment & Recognition — Behind every safe neighborhood is a well-trained, well-equipped officer. APF helps bridge the gap between what’s budgeted and what’s needed.
K9 Program — Our K9 officers are some of the hardest working members of the Atascadero Police Department, side by side with their K9 partners 24 hours a day. APF funding helps support their training, care, and equipment so they can keep doing what they do best.
Luca Benedetti Memorial Scholarship — We honor Luca’s legacy by investing in the next generation of public servants. This scholarship supports local students pursuing careers in public service.
Holiday Heroes Toy Drive & School Supplies Drive— Every year, APF partners with the Atascadero Unified School District to bring gifts and school supplies to over 100 local kids in need. Officers deliver toys personally, Santa’s helpers in uniform.
Celebrations at El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO) — We believe in community for everyone. APF plans birthday celebrations and connection to some of Atascadero’s most vulnerable residents.
Pink Patch Project — Each October, our officers wear pink patches to raise awareness for breast cancer. Funds raised through patch sales support the Hearst Cancer Resource Center right here on the Central Coast.
Guardians of Honor — Through our partnership with Honor Flight Central Coast, APF funds Atascadero Police Department members to serve as guardians for local veterans in need on once-in-a-lifetime trips to Washington D.C., to see the memorials built in their honor.
Why It Matters to Give Locally
There’s something powerful about a donation that stays home. When you give to the APF, you’re not funding something abstract far away, you’re funding the officer who waves at your kid every morning on El Camino Real, the K9 that helped find a missing person in your neighborhood, the scholarship that sends a SLO county student off to college with a purpose.
The Central Coast is a special place, and Atascadero is at its heart. The APF exists to make sure that heart keeps beating strong.
Join Us
Whether you donate $50 to put a gift under a child’s tree, $600 to fund a First Responder Appreciation Lunch, or $2,000 to fully fund a college scholarship, every gift makes a real, measurable difference in Atascadero.
Ready to make an impact?
