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April 2024 Newsletter

Happy Earth Month!

Breathe California has long recognized the need to conserve the environment and make it a safer place for our families to live and breathe. We have a history of protecting air quality by educating youth and the public, promoting good clean air legislation, and encouraging the adoption of cleaner-fueled vehicles to combat climate change. Here is a list of 22 things that YOU can do personally to help the environment from One Tree Planted.

The City of San José Honors Breathe California

On April 16th, Breathe California was recognized by the City of San José as the 2024 Climate Smart Equity Champion for our work in promoting advanced technology vehicles and alternative fuels, particularly in communities of color with lower EV adoption rates, through targeted EV education and outreach. Breathe CEO Tanya Payyappilly accepted the award from Mayor Matt Mahan at the ceremony at City Hall. Learn more.

Breathe California CEO Tanya Payyappilly and Silicon Valley Clean Cities Coalition Co-Director Pete Christensen.

National Volunteer Week

Our loyal cadre of volunteers are crucial to our public health successes, doing presentations in local communities and schools, preparing mailings, performing general office tasks, sterilizing donated CPAP machines, and assisting at special events. For National Volunteer Week, we provided gift bags and refreshments for volunteers off site and in the office. If you’d like to volunteer at Breathe California or at our annual Breath of Life Walk in September, please contact Vicky Quach at vicky@lungsrus.org.

What Are the Dangers of Thirdhand Smoke?

Thirdhand smoke is the residue of smoke from cigarettes or vapes that lingers/settles on fabrics, walls, and furniture. It contains harmful chemicals and toxins and is especially dangerous for children. We are grateful for funding from the County of San Mateo to support our work in promoting Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing in Menlo Park where we are educating the public and working to advocate for good tobacco policies.


Funding to Replace Your Wood-Burning Heaters

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s “Clean HEET” grant program allows qualifying homeowners to replace wood-burning heaters with electric heat pumps. Homeowners in West Oakland, East Oakland, Richmond-San Pablo, and Bayview Hunters Point/Southeast San Francisco are especially encouraged to apply. The application deadline is May 15, 2024. Learn more.

Tired of Cleaning Your CPAP Equipment by Hand?

While supplies last, we can offer you a SoClean 1* – a machine to sanitize your own CPAP machine as well as masks and tubing. Breathe California would appreciate a donation for the value of the machine which is $120. Please research your machine on the manufacturer’s website for any recommendations about using a SoClean. To find out more about this product and how you can donate or receive a CPAP machine, email cpap@lungsrus.org.

*While SoClean 1 machines are no longer for sale on the manufacturer's website, they are very similar to the SoClean 2.

Create an Anti-Tobacco Poster to Win a $50 Prize

Santa Clara County Youth: Create a poster to raise awareness about the dangers of vaping and Tobacco. The top three contestants will win $50 prizes. We can provide you with supplies. The deadline is 5:00 PM on May 31, 2024. Download our flyer to learn more.

Pre-Owned Electric Vehicle Rebate Program

Our allies at Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) are offering up to $4,000 in rebates to income-qualified applicants who have purchased or leased eligible pre-owned EV after November 17, 2023. Learn more about the program and determine if you are eligible here.

Join Breathe California at the Ballpark on May 31st

Ready for some peanuts and Cracker Jack? With our special code, you can buy $15 discounted tickets for select seats at the San José Giants vs. Fresno Grizzlies game at 7:00 PM on May 31, 2024 at Excite Ballpark. Bring your family to enjoy fun games, giveaways, and more. Download a flyer or visit this site and use code "BREATHE" to purchase tickets directly.

COVID-19, influenza, pneumonia, and

the new RSV vaccinations save lives.



We strongly encourage all our supporters

to get vaccinated at your earliest opportunity.


The Breathe California Team

Please be safe!