History
The Loma Prieta Club was founded as the Santa Cruz Mountain Social and Improvement Club in 1905. The women, who at the time would have felt isolated from nearby San Jose, united in dealing with the rigors of mountain life. They met twice a month to plan entertainment for the small community. But by 1912, the club shifted its emphasis to community service by providing supplies for school children, making bandages for the Red Cross, and holding quilting bees.     

 Over the years, the activities of the club often mirrored the events of the day. After World War II, for example, the club adopted a village in Italy, sending baby clothes and other much needed supplies. During the Korean War, the club produced a monthly newsletter that was typed, with carbon copies, and mailed to mountain servicemen serving overseas. All the members survived the ’85 Loma Prieta Fire and the ’89 Loma Prieta earthquake, and those whose homes were lost were aided by those whose homes were spared. ​ ​

 Our meetings are held once a month from September to June in Whittaker Hall at Skyland Church, either a potluck lunch or a brown bag lunch with a special dessert. Often we have a speaker, perhaps a local author or historian or one of our members with a special interest or hobby; other times we simply conduct club business or make plans for our picnic fundraiser in May of each year. 

 The Club now raises the majority of its charitable contributions through our annual community picnic and supports a variety of organizations on both the Santa Cruz and Santa Clara sides of our mountains.