Established in 1948
Las Damas is a 100% volunteer organization. We have events and raise funds for local schools and charities art & music programs. Las Damas also awards continuing education grants to local volunteers and also gives back to the community. Las Damas has proudly been the longest and largest donor of funds to the Sunset Beach Community Lot and old Fire Station Building. The Community Lot and Building are managed by the Sunset Beach Community Association
SunsetBeachCa.org
Las Damas puts on our traditional events of the Sunset Beach Art Festival on Mother’s Day weekend and also the Fire House Ball in the fall. We have also put on other fund raising events from time to time.
History of Las Damas
It all began May 8, 1948 when 35 young women of Sunset Beach and Surfside met at the home of Pearl Galle. All were interested in promoting education, social and civic life. In just a few weeks the first fund raiser was held. Attendees paid 75 cents each for a luncheon and fashion show. The funds were donated to the community fund for the purchase of the lots for the fire station and community lot. Additionally the ladies helped with the Beachcomber’s Carnival that same year. Las Damas continues this tradition now known as the Art Festival that is held every mother’s day weekend.
In November 1949 Las Damas organized the first Fireman’s Ball. Through the years many much-needed items were purchased for our volunteer firemen and women. In the beginning it was not uncommon for the Sunset Beach Volunteer firemen to be seen jumping onto the back of the fire truck in flip-flops and board shorts. Through the years Las Damas funded protective gear and other important basics needed to fight fires in our community. Although we no longer have a volunteer fire department, Las Damas now organizes the Sunset Beach Ball held in November, to carry on this fun event and in honor of those who have served our community.
In 1964 Las Damas organized its first cook book, a compilation of the member’s recipes. In recent years these reprinted cookbooks have been a treasure to those who grew up knowing these great ladies. Many fund raising events have taken place in the last 71 years to serve our community, fund art programs for local schools and charities, as well as scholarships and continuing education grants and our continued tradition of the children’s summer art program and Children’s Halloween Party. Some of the events in our history were the Children’s Easter Party, Sweethearts Night, Luaus and fashion shows.
Las Damas continues with many of these same traditions today and has added fundraising events in recent years. We have 2nd and 3rd generation members who are also continuing the traditions. Las Damas is a non-profit volunteer service organization. As a 100% volunteer organization, we raise funds for local school & charity Art & Music Programs, we give Continuing Education Grants to local volunteers and give back to the community for the Community Lot and building that we have been raising funds for since the beginning.
Meetings are held September through April on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 7pm at the old fire station building. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact a Las Damas member or on this site.
Why Las Damas?
Ladies from Sunset Beach, Surfside & environs join this volunteer organization for fun, friendship, tradition and to give back!
Meetings are held September through April on the 3rd Wednesday evening of every month at 7pm at the old fire station building. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact a Las Damas member or on this site.