Volunteers Honored at National Philanthropy Day
updated: Nov 20, 2009, 12:06 PM

Source: Santa Barbara/Ventura Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals

The National Philanthropy Day luncheon is an annual event held in local communities across the nation each November to honor the spirit of philanthropy and volunteerism. First held locally in 1987, National Philanthropy Day recognizes the great contributions of philanthropy - and those people active in the philanthropic community who have enriched our world. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of giving and all that it has made possible.

2009 Sponsors to date include Santa Barbara Zoo, Technicolor, California Lutheran University, Pacific Press, AdMark, givezooks!, The Kellogg Organization, Casa Pacifica, Printing Impressions, and Netzel Grigsby Associates. The event MC was CJ Ward with KEYT televison.

The award recipients who will be recognized for their extraordinary contributions to their communities are: Tom and Nancy Crawford, Philanthropists of the Year, Santa Barbara County; Micheline Sakharoff, Philanthropist of the Year, Ventura County; Scott Brittingham and Paul Dore, Santa Barbara County Volunteers of the Year; Duke Potts, Ventura County Volunteer of the Year; and G. Paul Didier, Professional Fundraiser of the Year.

New for 2009 are the AFP chapter's awards for Youth (16-23) Volunteers of the Year. Julie Farrell and Erik Holliday will be honored for Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties respectively.

Tom and Nancy Crawford have generously supported many non profit organizations individually and through the Crawford-Idema Family Foundation. Montecito residents, the Crawfords have helped the Santa Barbara Zoo, Pacific Pride Foundation, United Boys and Girls Clubs, Peoples' Self-Help Housing, Storyteller, Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and many others. Their broad philanthropic interests range from youth to the environment to social welfare.

Duke Potts is a friend of many non profit organizations in Camarillo. Potts chaired the $6 million capital campaign for a permanent home for the Camarillo YMCA. He worked tirelessly on the Technicolor Golf Classic, the proceeds of which will benefit the YMCA for six subsequent years. Potts is also involved with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Casa Pacifica, Boys and Girls Clubs of Camarillo, and the TEACH Foundation.

Professional fundraiser of the year G. Paul Didier has a 35 year career in non profit fundraising. Didier joined United Way of Santa Barbara County in 1974. As President and CEP, he has applied for-profit, market driven innovations to United Way and other non profit organizations by creating a collaborative working environment among local charities. He has raised tens of millions of dollars on behalf of United Way and non-profits. Santa Barbara United Way campaigns have significantly outdistanced the results of other United Ways in California and the U.S. Didier's local innovations include the Day of Caring, Fun in the Sun youth summer program, establishment of permanent United Way Santa Barbara headquarters, Power of Partnership Innovative, and collaborative relief responses to the recent Tea and Jesusitas Fires.

Scott Brittingham and Paul Dore, Santa Barbara residents and life-long friends, will be honored as 2009 Volunteers of the Year for Santa Barbara County. They chaired the American Classic Campaign for the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation which has raised over $18 million in five years. They built a strong 25-member campaign cabinet and inspired a ‘new generation' of volunteers and donors. Brittingham is also involved at Crane School in Montecito.

Santa Barbara resident Erik Holliday is a San Marcos High School graduate with honors. He graduated salutatorian of his 542-student class, varsity volleyball captain, Kids Helping Kids CEO, and "Mr. Royal." Erik led San Marcos' Unity Shoppe benefit event that raised over $100,000, as well as their Free Wheelchair Mission drive that sent 100 wheelchairs to Vietnam. Erik surfs and plays beach volleyball. He is enrolled in Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's architectural program.

Julie Farrell is a 19 year old sophomore college student at Ventura College, who finished her first year at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she majored in musical theatre. Julie has been apart of the Rubicon Theater in Ventura for nine years. When she heard that the Rubicon was struggling financially, she stepped forward to do what she could to keep the program that she loves so much alive for the future artists of Ventura County. She created her own fundraiser—a one-night benefit concert called "Kids for Kids' that raised $10,000.

"It is our privilege to celebrate these deserving individuals who personify the true spirit of philanthropy by actively giving of their time and resources for the benefit of others," said Michelle Jacobson, Chair for the event. "National Philanthropy Day is a fitting occasion to reflect on the gifts that caring people bring to our communities and the differences they make."

The Association of Fundraising Professionals represents more than 26,000 fundraisers in 173 chapters throughout the world, working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education, and certification programs. The Association fosters development and growth of fundraising professionals and promotes high ethical standards in the fundraising profession. More than 130 charitable fundraisers in the local area are represented by the AFP Chapter of Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.

* * * *

Previous Santa Barbara and Ventura County AFP Award Recipients

Philanthropist of the Year
1987 Santa Barbara Foundation
1988 Clifford and Alma Pearson
1989 Malinda and Yvon Chouinard/Patagonia
1990 Robert L. Mobley
1991 The S.G. Foundation
1992 Alice Tweed Tuohy Foundation
1993 Joseph T. Brusca/First American Title
1994 Paul and Leslie Ridley-Tree
1995 Wood-Claeyssens Foundation
1996 Michael Towbes
1996 Amgen Foundation
1997 Leni Fe Bland
1997 Martin V. and Martha K. Smith
1998 Sara Miller McCune
1998 Limoneira Foundation
1999 Cox Communications
1999 Helen M. Yunker
2000 George and Dale Cavalletto
2000 Barbara A. Caufield
2001 Eli and Leatrice Luria
2001 Florence "Jimmi" Clapp
2002 Hutton Foundation
2002 E.J. Harrison and Sons
2003 Richard and Maryan Schall
2003 Jack Gilbert
2004 Denny Franks
2004 Larry Janss
2005 Paul and Natalie Orfalea
2005 Orfalea Family Foundation
2005 The Orfalea Fund
2005 Countrywide Financial
2006 Jean and Barry Schuyler
2006 Gloria Friedrich Reed
2007 Chad and Ginni Dreier
2007 Mary and Richard Carpinter
2008 Clifford and Juliette Sponsel
2008 Theodore R. Jensen

Volunteer of the Year
1987 Dorothy C. Campbell
1988 Larry Crandell
1989 Norah Hamilton Strauss
1990 Barbara Gage, OTR
1991 Jean Hay
1992 Helen M. Caldwell
1993 Wallace T. Drew
1994 Alan M. Teague
1995 Barbara Meister
1996 Peter R. MacDougall, EdD
1996 John V. Newman
1997 Betty Rosness
1997 Joseph P. Brown
1998 Jean Schuyler
1998 Monty Clark
1999 Norman Sosner
1999 Karsten Lundring
2000 Sharon L. Monsky
2000 Laura K. McAvoy
2001 Nancyann Failing
2001 Patricia Richards
2002 Marion Stewart
2002 Joan S. Kemper
2003

Be the first to comment on this article.

2009 award winners honored areas philanthropy volunteerism professional fundraising announced