The Purpose of LHHIA

The La Habra Heights Improvement Association is focused on bringing the residents together by sponsoring community events such as the “Music in the Park” concert series, the Easter Egg Hunt, the Halloween Haunt, and more. The association also publishes Heights Life, a monthly magazine which is sent to every household in La Habra Heights 11 times per year. The LHHIA is completely separate from the City of La Habra Heights and does not get involved in city business, planning or permitting and receives no funding from the city.

The LHHIA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) membership organization and is funded by residents’ annual membership dues, sponsorships, private donations, and advertising in the Heights Life Magazine.

The LHHIA holds an annual General Meeting and Election to elect the Board of Directors, and Officers. All Members are encouraged to attend the annual General Meeting to elect the incoming Board. After the general election, the Board elects the officers. Directors serve three year terms. Directors must be Members, and live in La Habra Heights.

Please view our By-Laws and the official letter from the IRS granting us our 501 (c )(3) non-profit status. Our financials are published annually in the Heights Life.
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A Little about the History of the La Habra Heights Improvement Association

The La Habra Heights Improvement Association has been involved in the Heights since before we became a city. In 1939 Edwin G. Hart, Glen Annabel, Art Sucksdorf, Alex Morrison, and H.B. Griswold met at the Dinner Bell Restaurant on Whittier Blvd. for the purpose of reorganizing the La Habra Heights Improvement Association (LHHIA). An earlier organization in 1932 had become inactive. After the Dinner Bell meeting, Mr. Griswold called a General Meeting at the Hacienda Golf Club to set up the object and the Constitution of the association. It read, 'To encourage and promote the development of the Heights as a rural residential area'.

In the early years the association worked constantly for agricultural betterment, improved roads, and roadside planting of bougainvillea, oleander and other colorful shrubs. Thousands of trees were distributed to maintain the green belt character of the area. The LHHIA worked successfully in 1949 with the Regional Planning Commission in securing RA-1 zoning (Residential Agriculture 1 acre required). The Heights Life, a quarterly publication sent to all Heights residents, kept the community informed of activities of special interest. Until the 1978 incorporation of the City of La Habra Heights, LHHIA represented the Heights in matters of administration, such as zoning, land division requirements, roads, safety matters and fire protection.

Once La Habra Heights became a city, the LHHIA refocused its efforts on community events. Although the LHHIA obtained non-profit status in 1965, the IRS required the LHHIA to reapply for the 501 (c) (3) status in 2010. The LHHIA held a Special Election of the Membership to approve the amended Articles of Incorporation required by the IRS. The Members voted to approved the amended Articles of Incorporation, and the IRS granted the LHHIA non-profit status in 2010. Under current tax law, 501 (c ) (3) corporations are restricted from political involvement, and the Board of the LHHIA is committed to maintaining this policy.

In 1988, Claire and Paul Spothelfer began the LHHIA’s Music in the Park Concert Series. They thought The Park on Hacienda Boulevard would be a beautiful spot for concerts. They took their idea to the city council and got approval. Paul Spothelfer with a few other volunteers built the Gazebo that is still standing. Their first concert series drew a few hundred people and has now grown to be one of the largest events in the city drawing over 3,000 people at each concert. Claire and Paul retired from coordinating Music in the Park in 2010 after 22 years. They were honored by the city for their many years of community service.

If you would like to see an event in La Habra Heights, let us know, maybe you can help start a new tradition!
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