CHAMPIONS OF THE VALLEY
31st Annual Volunteer Awards Celebration
October 11. 2026
Celebrating the spirit of service and honoring volunteers who make our community thrive!
Champions of the Valley shines a spotlight on individuals who give generously of their time, talents, and heart to uplift others and enhance the quality of life.
Champions are nominated by community members and selected by a panel of past honorees and Foundation board members.
Nominations for both the Champion and Youth Champion awards open in mid-June. Check back for nomination forms and full details.
Award recipients, chosen by a committee of past honorees and Foundation board members, will be announced in September and celebrated at the Champions of the Valley awards event on October 11 at Camp Carmina in Los Olivos.
Each Adult Champion receives a $1,000 grant to direct to the nonprofit of their choice—a celebration of generosity that comes full circle.
Youth Champions (grades 9–12) are awarded a $1,000 scholarship to support their educational goals.
“For three decades, we’ve had the privilege of honoring those whose dedication and heart truly define this region,” said Chris Urquidez, President of the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation. “Champions of the Valley is more than an event—it’s a community tradition that recognizes selfless service.”
2025 Lifetime Achievement Honoree
A quiet force. A powerhouse of action. Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Becky Barieau just gets things done.
2025 Champion Honorees
The 2025 honorees represent the incredible breadth of volunteerism in our community. Their efforts span a wide variety of causes: sustaining human services, founding and supporting food distribution programs, leading initiatives to enrich youth recreation, advocating for those in need, and stepping up wherever and however they are needed.
Their service is a reminder of the power of volunteerism and the ripple effect of giving that continues to strengthen the Valley year after year.
Quiet but mighty! Champion honoree Mike Brady is making life better for so many in our community. Click here to read his story.
Laura Beas-Diaz is lighting up Los Alamos with her energy and heart for the community! Read more.
Champion honoree Doug Riedy powers Santa Ynez Valley causes by sheer hustle — and sometimes sporting a familiar red holiday suit. Read his story.
From pickup truck to food recovery revolution, Terry Delaney is on a mission to fight hunger and champion food security. Read more.
Youth Community Champions
Our youth honorees are making big impacts in the Santa Ynez Valley! Check out their inspiring stories shared by our media partner Noozhawk: Kacy Caplan and Adrian Garcia
Celebrating with our Community Supporters!
2024 Champions of the Valley
2024 Honorees
On Sunday October 13th, 2024, the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation celebrated 11 extraordinary community champions whose volunteer efforts span a wide range of causes — from leading food distribution programs to reopening a library and advocating for music education, and more. Nominated by the community and selected by the board and past award recipients, each honoree shares a common bond: a selfless dedication to uplifting our community and those around them. Read more about the event here.
Read about how the late rock icon transformed music education in the Santa Ynez Valley click here
Discover this dynamo behind Santa Ynez Valley volunteerism: click here
Learn about passionate volunteer Charlotte Dickey Becerra: click here
Read how volunteer Dave Bemis shapes our community: click here
Be amazed at how Donna Hinsbeeck has touched countless lives: click here
click here to discover how the Vidros transform our community through dedicated volunteerism.
click here to read how Lewellen reshaped the Santa Ynez Valley’s cultural landscape
click here to read profiles of the Youth honorees
Man & Woman of the Year Award Recipients 1996-2023
Judy Adams ● Terry Ames ● Carol Anders ● Dean Anders ● Ken Andersen ● Barbara Anderson ● Michael Balaban ● Dorothy Brunton ● Linda Stafford Burrows ● Kathleen Campbell ● Judith Canby ● June Christensen ● Mary Anne Christensen Martin Coyle ● John Crowell ● Judith Dale ● Dean Davidge ● Rev. Randall Day ● Jerri Domingos ● Bernice Dotz ● Mary Ann Evans ● Jerry Ewing ● Pam Gnekow ● David Goldstein ● Sid Goldstein ● Barbara Hallum ● Paul Halme ● Priscilla Higgins ● Marie Jaeger ● Linda Johansen ● Allan Jones ● Dr. A. Art Kaslow ● Frank Kelsey ● Jim Lohnas ● Puck Erickson Lohnas ● Linda Marzullo ● Paul Matthies ● Rich Nagler ● Chris Nielsen ● Daryl Nielsen ● Joan Ott ● Frank Ostini ● Jack Pellerin ● Greg Pensa ● Carolynn Petersen ● Chuck Pira ● John Rasmussen ● Sylvia Remmenga ● Jim Richard ● Gabrielle Robbins ● Peter Robbins ● Tresha Sell ● Donald Sorenson
2020 Virtual Awards
We weren’t able to celebrate our extraordinary honorees in 2020 due to COVID-19. Instead, you can enjoy videos with them below.
2020 Man of the Year, Chris Nielsen
2020 Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Erik Gregersen
2020 Woman of the Year, Pam Gnekow