• Paul Didier, center, president and CEO of the United Way of Santa Barbara County, is flanked by board members, from left, John Wigle, John Hanna, David Prichard and George Leis. (Melissa Walker / Noozhawk)
  • Emcee and Santa Barbara County First District Supervisor Salud Carbajal with award recipients, from left, Holly Nelson, Eve Ortiz, Amber Ortiz, Kelly Schon and Julie Caprito. (Melissa Walker / Noozhawk)
  • Kimberly Coley, left, and Gina Jaeger. (Melissa Walker / Noozhawk)
  • Vicky Johnson, left, and Susan Martony-Taylor with the Day of Caring Partner of the Year Award bestowed on Mentor Worldwide. (Melissa Walker / Noozhawk)
  • From left, Xuan Dong, Daniel Bruton and Jasmin Tong accept UC Santa Barbara’s award for the Financial Empowerment Organization of the Year. (Melissa Walker / Noozhawk)
  • Place setting. (Melissa Walker / Noozhawk)
  • Ron Cortez, Carol Sauceda and Paul Didier with UCSB’s Outstanding Education Campaign Award. (Melissa Walker / Noozhawk)
  • Linda McIntosh and Herb Geary of Cottage Health System with the Outstanding Health Division award. (Melissa Walker / Noozhawk)
  • Presenter Cynder Sinclair with and United Way’s president and CEO, Paul Didier. (Melissa Walker / Noozhawk)

Bill Macfadyen is Noozhawk’s founder and publisher. Contact him at wmacfadyen@noozhawk.com, and follow him on Instagram: @bill.macfadyen. The opinions expressed are his own.