SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley awarded $22,568 to local nonprofit Hope Services on behalf of the City of Santa Cruz and the Downtown Association’s Parking for Hope program at yesterday’s City Council meeting. The check was accepted by Hope Services staff and members of the organization’s Downtown Litter Abatement Crew.

The funds were collected from Dec. 18 through 25 in the ninth annual Parking for Hope downtown holiday parking program. The usual parking rates applied, however, the proceeds from street meters during these eight days were designated for donation to Hope Services, a Santa Cruz organization that provides training and support services to adults with developmental disabilities and has helped to keep downtown streets clean for 24 years. The collected funds include ParkMobile pay-by-phone parking fees of 35 cents per transaction.

“We are extremely grateful for this holiday program that makes such a difference in the lives of our Downtown Litter Abatement Crew members,” said Hope Services Program Manager Heather Perez. “This contribution will cover more than half of their working hours this year.”

The Downtown Litter Abatement Crew at Hope Services is comprised of five part-time workers. To date, the Parking for Hope program has generated a total of $241,075 in funds that support these crew members.

More City of Santa Cruz parking information is available at www.cityofsantacruz.com/parkingservices.