Gary Freiberg

Nominee: Gary Freiberg

Does this person live or work in Los Osos? : Yes

Why do you feel this person deserves to be honored? : Gary has been a high profile leader volunteer, and all around get it done guy in los osos for 35 years.

Gary J. Freiberg was the 2024 Volunteer of the Year for the Los Osos/ Baywood Park Chamber of Commerce for his years of work on the annual Oktoberfest.

In 2023 Gary was Grand Marshal of the Holiday Parade after years of working on the parade.

He has continued his community volunteering in 2025.
After the first town hall meeting held earlier this year to buy Sunnyside school Gary created BuySunnysideSchool.com and recruited a combined twenty five local organizations and community leaders to meet and collectively compose a letter to the San Luis Unified School District Board of Trustees supporting the purchase of Sunnyside by the CSD. This letter was signed by all twenty five attendees and sent to Marilyn Rodgers, President of the Board.

This April meeting brought together organizational leaders, some did not know each other, and led to the formation of the Citizen's Advisory Group who are actively gathering petition signatures for a ballot measure in June 2026..

From this initial meeting of Buy Sunnyside School Gary created, and led, a panel to research potential funding sources for the improvements the school will need if Los Osos purchases it.

Among the Corporate Foundations, State and Federal Government Programs and Grants by benevolent organizations, thirty eight initial starting points were identified. There will be immediate direction of where to apply for funding if the purchase happens.

Gary was Program Director again for this year's Oktoberfest. He chooses the bands, determines the Community Hour program, the stage scheduling, and for many years has emceed the event
coordinating the stage including entertainment, the hour long costume contests, and car show announcements.

This year was the largest Oktoberfest fundraiser ever, there was record sales, and profit, from the Biergarten, the crowd was so full enjoying the music throughout the day there was concern at times it was too large.

In conversation Gary said what was important to him was seeing the community having fun to the program he put together. That was his definition of success.

Gary has been an active voice of Los Osos for many years. He moved to Los Osos in 1987, and after being a T-Ball and Little League coach for his sons became active in our community when he was asked around 1995 to emcee the annual Holiday Parade. He had a radio show at the time. Gary has been the parade announcer since. He also is the emcee for the Christmas Tree Lighting.

In 2023 Gary teamed up with Paul Irving and staged “ Diggin' Deep”, a benefit concert at the Community Center for the victims of the January floods.

Not one penny went to expenses, everything was donated. The hopeful goal was to raise $25,000. Paul and Gary raised $48,000 that was administered by People Helping People.

Gary has routinely used his KVEC radio, New Times and Estero Bay News contacts to promote events
in Los Osos.

In 2024 Gary donated 200 reusable frames for art classes at Monarch, Baywood Elementary and the Middle School.

Gary has served on the Finance Advisory Committee for the CSD since 2024.

There are many other things Gary has done for Los Osos seen and unseen and I believe I represent many people who know Gary, or know of him from his public work, and hope after his many years of love for Los Osos he is Recognized.