Local giving, community impact, and a lifetime of service
Making a Difference Close to Home
On any given day, you can find Jeremy Lezin cycling around the county, piloting his bush plane while taking breathtaking aerial photos of Santa Cruz County, or volunteering as a photographer for local nonprofits (including the Community Foundation). Aside from attending Lewis & Clark College in Oregon and the USC film school—along with a year spent studying and working in Europe—Jeremy has lived in Santa Cruz County his entire life. For over two decades, he managed his family’s tannery, Salz Leathers, and then created Cruz Car Wash at the top of 41st Avenue in Soquel. Along the way, he helped fundraise for the Seymour Center, the MAH, the Rebele Family Shelter, and Second Harvest Food Bank.
Jeremy is a generous donor to the Community Foundation, including supporting the work of the Foundation itself with regular gifts to our Friends of the Foundation Fund.
Recently, Jeremy shared more about why working with us to give locally—today and in the future—matters to him.
Why have you chosen to work with the Community Foundation?
I have a long, positive relationship with the Foundation. My mother, Margaret Salz Lezin, was involved in the very beginning and served as one of the Foundation’s first board members. Lance Linares (who preceded Susan True) said of my mother, “Often, when we’re dealing with a thorny challenge at the board level, we’ll say, “What would Margie do?" I like that! Today the Foundation has the financial backing and organizational strength to create a huge, positive impact in our county. They hire quality staff members, and of course, Susan True is the best leader!
How has working with the Foundation on your Memorandum of Charitable Intent helped you with your estate planning?
My MOCI gives me the flexibility to make changes to my bequests on the fly without incurring legal fees, which allows me to keep my designated list of non-profits current. I would definitely recommend the Foundation’s MOCI to anyone who would like to amend their bequests from time to time. It’s as easy as sending an email to the Foundation to make those changes.
How do you choose what causes to give to?
Over the years I’ve become a ‘critical need’ donor. If you don’t have a roof over your head and food in your belly, you’re not likely to make major changes in your life. I learned that while fundraising for the Rebele Family Shelter at Housing Matters. When you are living in a car, your entire world revolves around survival. I choose organizations that will use my donation to directly impact someone’s life.
Why is it important to you to give locally?
I feel that as county residents, we share the responsibility for those in need. It isn’t ’someone else’s’ duty. The trend seems to be clear: as budgets tighten, there will be less state and federal funding for local programs. The only answer is a shift towards a broad base of giving locally.
What brings you joy?
Helping others and witnessing change. Contributing my photography to non-profits. Knowing that I’ve done my part.
What do you wish for everyone in Santa Cruz County?
The end of homelessness and the growth of affordable housing. As a county, we’ve made significant headway in both already. Up ahead, I’d like to see safe bike corridors that encourage alternative transportation.
