Why Chop’s is limited to Santa Rosa teens

Although he had no children of his own, Charles "Chop" DeMeo loved Santa Rosa and cared deeply about its young people. Long before Chop’s became a reality, Santa Rosa youth were enjoying parks and activities that he helped create during 14 years of leadership on the Santa Rosa Parks and Recreation Commission. In 1964, the National Recreation Association honored Charles DeMeo for doing more than anyone else to provide healthful recreation for Santa Rosa kids. Chop’s is his gift to the young people of Santa Rosa that he cared so much about. He was so excited about what he had planned that he told his good friend Henry Trione, just before he died, “They’re going to be surprised when they learn what I’ve done.”

His surprise was announced at his funeral in 1995: Charles DeMeo had left most of his estate, nearly $16 million, to the Sonoma County Community Foundation with two specific conditions. First, that a social/meeting facility be provided for Santa Rosa teens; and second, that help be given to the homeless of Sonoma County, with primary emphasis on mothers with young families. In October 2001, his dream for a place for Santa Rosa teens to call their own was realized with the opening of Chop's. Those who were closest to Chop DeMeo say that he would be thrilled with the teen club that bears his name – but even happier to know that more than 1800 Santa Rosa students have become members and will be enjoying the facility his generosity made possible.

An attorney, Charles DeMeo understood that by leaving his bequest to the Sonoma County Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization (not a county agency), his wishes would be carried out. It is our legal responsibility to make sure that when a donor specifies how a gift is to be used, that those wishes are adhered to. So when Charles DeMeo specified a “social/meeting facility for Santa Rosa teens” in his bequest, it was our obligation to carry out that wish, which we have done. To do otherwise would not only betray the terms of Mr. DeMeo's gift, but the trust of the donors who have established the more than 180 funds at the Community Foundation.

This is why membership in Chop's is limited to Santa Rosa students. There are approximately 11,000 youth in grades 7 through 12, between the ages of 12 and 18, who reside in and/or attend school in Santa Rosa who are eligible for membership. (Elementary school and junior college students are not eligible.) Limited numbers of guest passes are available to members so they can bring friends from other areas. The Governing Board and the Program Board are aware of the enthusiasm of young people from all over Sonoma County who want to be able to enjoy the wonderful facilities that Chop's offers. They welcome the opportunity to share what they have learned with other communities in Sonoma County to help them create their own teen clubs.

The Community Foundation looks forward to working with philanthropists like Charles DeMeo to provide important services to other areas of Sonoma County.

To learn more about Chop's, call 284-2467 or visit www.chopsonline.com. Tours are scheduled for Saturdays at 2 PM. Please call Chop’s to make a reservation. To contact Community Foundation Sonoma County, call 579-4073 or visit www.sonomacf.org.