Aptos Nonprofits and Charities

CERT is a vital organization to the County of Santa Cruz. Volunteers prepare to help in the event of a disaster through ongoing training in rescue, medical and general preparedness. Their volunteers have assisted the county disaster operations many times.

I started this not-for-profit organization in 2003 out of my love and passion for the wonderful body of work known as the Great American Songbook, known and loved around the world, and made in America. If you love this music like I do you can support Our Mission: To preserve our cultural treasure known as the Great American Songbook by presenting this music to the public at home and abroad as Ambassadors of Song. We do this in Concert, in Education, and in Sponsorship.<br><br>I became committed to singing and sharing this music in my own individual pursuits as a singer and independent record label Kapland Records. As an attendee of the International Association for Jazz Education for a dozen years, I met many people in all aspects of the music industry and in all of my conversations with executives, advocates, musicians and singers, I never met anyone who didn't like the mission and goals I began to advocate for on behalf of the organization I eventually started: American Songbook Preservation Society. <br><br>Since that time I have personally underwritten and produced 5 Concerts, 2 Live Concert CD & DVD Recordings, and a Documentary Film on behalf of our mission. I have also continued to advocate on behalf of the music of this distinctive and truly American body of work in Print, in Concert, on Television and Radio, and in Public Speaking.<br><br>Some of the supporters I have met along the way include these individuals who commented below.<br><br>"I think it’s a wonderful idea."<br>Nat Hentoff<br>Renowned Reviewer, Historian & Journalist on the purpose and mission of American Songbook Preservation Society<br><br>"This is very patriotic!"<br>Phoebe Jacobs<br>Executive Vice President of the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation<br><br>"We are working for the same thing…to continue the legacy of this great body of work for future generations to come to know and enjoy."<br>Wynton Marsalis <br>Trumpeter, Composer, Bandleader, Music Educator, and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center<br><br>"There is a grassroots group you may know of, led by vocalist and producer Ron Kaplan. It’s called the American Songbook Preservation Society…Very admirable; no one (save perhaps Michael Feinstein) could be more eager than I to see the brilliant work of the Gershwins, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Frank Loesser and their ilk, protected and performed ad infinitum.<br>Christopher Louden<br>JazzTimes Vocal Columnist<br><br>I hope you will join us in creating a future for our past.<br><br>Ron Kaplan<br>Kapland Records<br>

great ideas for the future ! designed for learners of all ages . a great example of design . works as a powerful 'lures' (would be great to produce something with similar internal consistency) .

They are the best group of people on the planet. They very committed to helping people and they deserve your donations.