Merced County Community Law Enforcement Organization (CLEO)

The Merced County Community Law Enforcement Organization is a non-profit 501(c)(3) entity that focuses on Community Based Programs for youth, poverty-stricken families, and strengthening community relations. Our largest event is Merced County Operation Christmas Star where we have helped nearly 500 families and 2000 children receive toys and clothing during the Holiday Season.

Since our Community-Based Programs Non-Profit inception a little over 20 years ago, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office has helped youth groups, recreational organizations, poverty-stricken families, community-based policing events, internal programming, and many other organizations in need of support. Our largest giving season is throughout the holiday season when we partake in gift-giving; adopting needy families, providing blankets, warm clothing, and meals. This year, we’ve extended our periphery to help accommodate more organizations, children, and families in need.

Over the past couple of years, many families have lost their homes and most of their belongings due to the fires in the surrounding communities of Mariposa, Madera, and Stanislaus Counties. The Merced County CLEO partnered with the Merced County Sheriff's Explorers to provide food, clothing, personal hygiene products, and school supplies to those families who were in need. 

The Merced County CLEO has had the honor and opportunity to help with raising funds for organizations like the "Pink Patch Project". The Merced County Sheriff's Office, Merced County Sheriff's Explorers, and the Merced County CLEO have come with the Sheriff's Pink Patch to sell to the community to raise funds for our local Merced Cancer Society Foundation. The purpose of the pink patch is designed to bring attention to the fight against cancer and support cancer research organizations in combating this devastating disease.

The Merced County CLEO has also had the opportunity to participate in Autism Awareness by selling the Sheriff's Office Autism Patch. The proceeds collected from selling the autism patches will be donated to the Carlos Vieira Foundation “Race for Autism” to help bring awareness to the community about this complex disorder.

Our efforts are only possible because of the generous and thoughtful volunteers involved in the Merced County CLEO. It takes time, talent, effort, and love of our community to continue to serve the families and children of Merced County.