Your generous contributions have helped make SOHO one of the most active and effective historic preservation non-profits in the country. We are very grateful to you for supporting our shared goal of protecting and preserving our region's irreplaceable historic resources through advocacy, stewardship, and education. At this time of giving, we are asking you again to stand with SOHO-and our precious heritage-by making a donation to this annual end of year request. 

You are a force that has enabled SOHO to build a team of committed professionals who serve on the front lines of defending and preserving our irreplaceable historic resources. Your ongoing support is crucial because this work is never done.

In October, SOHO announced its 2016 Most Endangered List, along with the national list issued by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It includes four new sites and seven carried over from last year. 

SOHO has a long track record of saving important historic buildings, sites, and landscapes through advocacy, public education, and negotiation, but there are always properties at risk. And in the coming year some  large issues are looming . 

One of the greatest threats facing San Diego is the loss of its identity. If not for your continued support and contributions that allow SOHO to maintain our high level of activism and influence, San Diego would have joined the ranks of cities that lost their authenticity long ago. 

Your support of SOHO's work is needed now more than ever to protect what is still unique to San Diego, and your donation is essential to our cause. Consider the uphill battles we confront to protect beloved city landmarks, parks, neighborhoods, and San Diego's backcountry, and how we vigorously reach out to fellow citizens with public education and programming. 

We are facing a number of legal battles due to serious threats to San Diego landmarks, icons of our region's special character, authenticity, and diverse heritage. What makes SOHO strong is the financial wherewithal to tackle these challenges on a number of fronts, when forced to do so. A contribution from you is a solid investment in the finest legal minds, experience, and best preservation practices to safeguard San Diego's rich architectural, cultural, and historical heritage. 

Please keep in mind the many accomplishments and great successes we have already made over nearly 50 years when making your donation. Know that your contribution to strengthen SOHO truly makes a difference. SOHO's successes benefit everyone's quality of life and sense of place, two increasingly valuable assets as San Diego continues to grow and change. 

With your support, SOHO oversees 11 historic properties, five of which are interpretive sites, and include four museums. We have more historic buildings and landscapes to care for than any other San Diego non-profit organization and far more than most preservation groups across the country. As dedicated stewards, much of  our work this past year  has included investment of resources towards restoration and maintenance of these tangible testaments to our past. This work will continue in 2017, with a concerted campaign to repair the greatly in need Marston House Museum.

We ask that you consider before donating how SOHO's successes and ongoing work have touched your life in meaningful ways and that SOHO's efforts are for the greater good of San Diego, for all San Diegans. Please give whatever you can, and for those of you who are able, please give generously. 

Your donation is helping to keep our community true to itself and all the richer for preserving past treasures, thanks to SOHO's success in championing our historic resources. 

On behalf of the board of directors of SOHO and our dedicated staff and volunteers, we sincerely thank you and send our best wishes to you for the fall and winter holidays. 

With gratitude,

Bruce Coons 

Executive Director 
Save Our Heritage Organisation