The Orinda Association celebrates 80 years of service
It is an honor to serve as the newly elected president of The Orinda Association (OA). I am continually moved by the dedication, warmth and community spirit that defines this organization. To appreciate what The OA means to Orinda, it helped me to know a little bit about its history.
Founded in 1946, it has served this community for nearly eight decades. In the early years, The OA functioned as a quasi-governmental body, giving residents a unified voice in shaping the future of this town before Orinda even had a city government of its own. In fact, The OA played a direct role in inspiring Orinda’s incorporation as a city in 1985 – helping to forge the very sense of civic identity and unity that led residents to take local governance into their own hands.
Among our proudest chapters is the fight to save the Orinda Theatre. When a developer sought to demolish the beloved Art Deco landmark in the early 1980s to make way for a large commercial complex, it was The Orinda Association – alongside the passionate advocates of the Friends of the Orinda Theatre and the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association (BAHA) – that stood up to protect it.
The OA sued Contra Costa County, arguing that the proposed development violated local land-use ordinances, while Friends of the Orinda Theatre and BAHA fought to preserve the theater’s historic and cultural significance under the California Environmental Quality Act.
The case went all the way to the California Supreme Court. Thanks to the determination of these community groups, the theater was spared. Today, that iconic fin tower still glows along Highway 24 – a symbol of what a community can accomplish when it refuses to give up on what matters.
That same community spirit lives in everything we do today.
None of it – not a single program – runs without the generous support of our donors and the tireless commitment of our volunteers, including our board of directors who give their time and expertise to guide this organization forward.
Seniors Around Town
Operating since 2005, Seniors Around Town provides free door-to-door transportation for Orinda seniors who can no longer drive. Last year, 71 vetted volunteer drivers logged 1,086 hours and covered 15,113 miles – 68% of those rides to medical appointments.
Forty-five percent of our riders live in Section 8 or affordable housing. For many of our riders, this program is a true lifeline, and we are enormously proud of every volunteer driver who makes it possible.
Please reach out if you are interested in becoming a volunteer driver. It’s up to you when and how often you drive (once a week or a few times a year). It’s a good feeling to help out a neighbor who needs it and you get to meet someone new who has likely been in the community for a long time, and may provide a good conversation during the car ride.
4th of July Parade
Now in its 42nd year, the 4th of July Parade is one of Orinda’s most beloved traditions – and one of our most demanding undertakings. After The OA raises nearly $40,000 each year (entirely through private donations), our volunteers show up in force to produce a day of floats, marching bands and community joy that is pure Orinda. We receive no public funding. Every dollar and every hour of work comes from people who love this city.
Classic Car Show
Now in its 22nd year and proudly organized by The OA since 2019, the Classic Car Show brings our community together each September around a shared love of automotive history. This year, under the enthusiastic new leadership of chair Scott Honeychurch, we’ll be showcasing the finest German automobiles – Porsche, Mercedes, Audi, BMW and more. The show is a testament to what a dedicated volunteer committee can accomplish when passion meets purpose.
To our donors, your generosity makes all of this possible. To our volunteers, drivers, parade crew, car show committee and our board – you are the heart of this organization. When you give to The Orinda Association, whether through a donation or by rolling up your sleeve, you are investing in the quality of life in this city for every resident. Together, we make Orinda a better place to live.
