Help us create the leaders of tomorrow

In 2009, with no funding sources other than their own personal savings, several members of the Santa Cruz Deputy Sheriff’s Association (DSA) created a 501(c)(3) non-profit, “Stars of Justice, Inc.” (SJI) with the goal, to provide financial assistance to programs designed to educate and mentor the youth of Santa Cruz County. By teaching them the importance of principles, responsibility, dedication and team work we had hoped to instill these core values in our youth’s beliefs, making them less likely to be involved in criminal activity and instead successful, contributing members of our community. 
Immediately upon its creation and with limited resources, but some amazing community volunteers, Stars of Justice, Inc. began raising funds through numerous small events. As a result we were able to provide financial support to several community programs that assisted many of Santa Cruz County’s youth. However, Stars of Justice, Inc’s goal was to reach more children more rapidly. Stars of Justice, Inc. specifically wanted to target those children who were from households with extreme financial difficulties, whom without assistance from Stars of Justice, Inc. or other similar organizations would not likely ever have the opportunity to participate in such programs as school sports or other extracurricular activities. Therefore, in 2010 Stars of Justice, Inc. introduced its largest fundraising event yet, The Santa Cruz Deputy Sheriff’s Charity Rodeo. Based on other similar events in the surrounding areas, this professional rodeo charity event was estimated to raise almost $25,000 profit in just the first year and showed potential for future years as well. Preparations began, sponsors were obtained, contracts were signed and The Santa Cruz County Fairgroundsagreed to host the event, bringing rodeo back to Santa Cruz County for the first time since 1993 and providing Stars of Justice, Inc. with an opportunity to really help provide the community’s youth with some great opportunities.    
Unfortunately, in early 2011 a well orchestrated lawsuit by a local animal activist, with endless financial means, cost Stars of Justice, Inc and the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorney and court fees to try and keep the event alive in an effort to raise funds for Santa Cruz County’s youth. With numerous delays created and continuances filed, the animal activist was able to postpone the legal hearings till the “eleventh hour.” Thankfully, in late September of 2011 (only three days before the rodeo was to take place) a judge in Sacramento ruled in favor of Stars of Justice, Inc. and the County Fairgrounds, allowing the rodeo to take place however, the damage had been done. The activist had been able to delay the proceedings long enough that marketing of the rodeo was near impossible. As a result, attendance was not at all what we had hoped for as only 900 people attended the two day event, placing Stars of Justice, Inc. in debt even further, what with contracts having to be paid while attorney’s fees still loomed over the non-profit’s board member’s heads. Since then the activist's appeal of the ruling taking Stars of Justice, Inc. and the fairgrounds back to court for that last three years creating additional debt which has now crippled the non-profit's potential existance.
The founders of the organization have kept Stars of Justice, Inc. alive for this long only through our own personal donations because of our belief in the organization’s purpose and our determination in making it a successful non-profit with honorable and righteous goals.
It is only now, after numerous supporters of our organization telling us about “GoFundMe,” that we are asking for your help to make Stars of Justice, Inc. successful, so that we may move forward and help the youth of our community. Our organization is built completely on the dedication of volunteers from our community and deputies of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office. None of our board members are paid and all of our funding is used to provide opportunities to our community’s youth. However, we fear that without reaching out to you and asking for help, our organization’s existence is limited. We greatly appreciate any support you may give us and ask that you please pass along our efforts and information to your friends and family.  Thank you all for your time, consideration and support of Stars of Justice, Inc. and its purpose.  

With sincerest regards, 

Michael MacDonald
Sergeant, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office (California)
Proudly serving the community of Santa Cruz County since 1990
Santa Cruz Deputy Sheriff’s Association, Vice President
Stars of Justice, Inc, President and Founder

For more information or to contact us, please see:

www.facebook.com/michael.macdonald.14606