_An Edhat Reader
By CommUnify
Nonprofit’s Successful Event Raised Funds to Support Programs for Families & Youth
CommUnify (formerly known as Community Action Commission, or CAC) held the highly anticipated 18th Annual Champions Dinner & Awards on Friday, June 7 at Hotel Corque, in The Craft House Restaurant Ballroom, 420 Alisal Road in Solvang. The sold-out event hosted 200 guests from across Santa Barbara County including many community leaders, business owners, and nonprofits. Andrew Firestone was the event’s Master of Ceremonies and Auctioneer for the evening which included a Live Auction featuring six fantastic items and a Paddle Raise, along with the medallion award ceremony for this newest cohort of CommUnify Champions.
This event recognizes individuals, nonprofit organizations, and businesses whose dedication to the well-being of residents countywide has made our community a better place. The 2024 Honorees were: Geoff Green, The Vikings of Solvang, and Hardy Diagnostics. Geoff Green has been a key figure in the local nonprofit landscape. His efforts have given thousands of high school students the opportunity to obtain a college degree at no cost by creating the SBCC Promise initiative, which subsequently inspired Allan Hancock to do the same. Accepting their first award ever, The Vikings of Solvang have gone unrecognized for far too long! For the past 50 years, the Vikings have provided financial support to county residents with medically related needs, and host events in the Santa Ynez Valley to help families of children who have disabilities. The employees and leadership of Santa Maria’s Hardy Diagnostics donate time and money—1% of their net profits each year—to local charities, and during the early days of the pandemic provided vital PPE materials to county hospitals and clinics, ensuring medical personnel had much needed safety gear.
The Champions Dinner was supported by 69 corporate and in-kind sponsors and raised $255,250 to support the seven programs in CommUnify’s Family & Youth Services division. As the event’s lead sponsor, CenCal Health provided a $100,000 dollar-for-dollar match which is included in that total. “We are so grateful for the generosity and continued support from our community,” said CommUnify CEO, Patricia Keelean. “The funds raised will help CommUnify to expand the programs which empower the youth of Santa Barbara County and provide them with additional support services including case management, behavioral health, life skills, and educational activities, empowering these vulnerable adolescents and their families to transform their lives, and find a path to a brighter and more stable future.”
Many of the County’s local representatives were in attendance including State Senator, Monique Limón; Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Susan Salcido; 5th District Supervisor, Steve Lavagnino; Santa Maria Councilmember, and CommUnify Board Member, Mike Cordero; Goleta City Councilmember and CommUnify Board Member, James Kyriaco; Former 2nd District Supervisor, The Honorable Susan Rose; Carpinteria Vice Mayor Pro Tem and CommUnify FYS Program Director, Natalia Alarcon. CommUnify current and former Boad Members in attendance included: Marina Owen (Board President and CEO for CenCal), Sanford Riggs, Areli Migues (also Head Start Parent Council Representative), Guy Walker, Elizabeth Snyder, and Josephine Torres. Jay Hardy, CEO and co-founder of Hardy Diagnostics, and Lauren Hamilton, employee and staff lead for their Community Action Committee, accepted the award on behalf of Hardy Diagnostics. Larry Humburger, current Chief, accepted the award on behalf of the Vikings of Solvang, and Geoff Green was present to receive his award.
For a complete description of CommUnify’s programs and services please visit www.CommUnifySB.org. A shot list with a selection of images from the event including captions is attached for your review. Please contact Joni Kelly at CommUnify at 805-964-8857 ext. #1109 or 805-886-1869 (cell), or via email jkelly@CommUnifySB.org for more information about CommUnify’s 2024 Champions Dinner & Awards, to request high resolution images and broadcast quality B-roll, or to arrange interviews with CEO Patricia Keelean or the Honorees.
About CommUnify:
CommUnify (formerly the Community Action Commission or CAC) was formed in 1965 as a 15 member Community Action Committee appointed by the County Board of Supervisors to address the causes and conditions of poverty within the entirety of Santa Barbara County. The organization is committed to taking a leadership position in alleviating poverty and surrounding residents with the stability they need to build stronger lives and become healthy, educated, working, self-sufficient members of our community. As one of the largest nonprofits in Santa Barbara County CommUnify employs over 300 staff including health, education, and social service workers who oversee 17 countywide programs and services for the community. We support families and individuals through health and human service programs, including 23 Head Start and Early Head Start locations, Weatherization and Energy Assistance, Family & Youth Services, Senior Services, and the 2-1-1 HelpLine and serve more than 12,000 people throughout the county each year. CommUnify is a private non-profit agency that leverages support for Santa Barbara County residents through private funding as well as government contracts and grants. More information is available at: www.CommUnifySB.org
