[Noozhawk’s note: One in a series on the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation’s 2024 Champions of the Valley who will be honored for their volunteerism and community service Oct. 13 at Rancho Carmina in Los Olivos. Click here for more information, or click here to purchase tickets online.]
At 81 years young, Sherry Musgrove embodies the spirit of volunteerism that makes small communities thrive, touching countless lives through her tireless efforts and boundless energy.
Sherry’s journey of giving began long before she and her late husband, Bob, moved to Santa Ynez in 1996.
Back in Westlake Village, they had already made a name for themselves with the Love Match Tennis Tournament, a celebrity event benefiting United Cerebral Palsy.
This experience laid the foundation for what would become a lifetime of community engagement.
Upon arriving in Santa Ynez, Sherry wasted no time in asking herself, “What can I do for this community?”
Her answer has unfolded over nearly three decades, leaving an indelible mark on the Santa Ynez Valley and its residents.
One of Sherry’s most significant contributions has been her work with Solvang Friendship House. As a former president of the SFH Auxiliary, she spearheaded numerous fundraising initiatives.
Under her leadership, the “Nashville Nights” campaign and “Dining by Design” events became valley staples. These weren’t just fundraisers; they were community-building experiences that brought people together in support of a worthy cause.
Perhaps most impressive is Sherry’s annual “Barn Sale,” a three-day extravaganza that ran for 18 years.
The massive undertaking involved collecting thousands of items throughout the year, storing them in her barn, and organizing a sale that became a treasure hunter’s paradise.
The proceeds benefited multiple local organizations, including Solvang Friendship House, Return to Freedom Horse Sanctuary in Lompoc, Buellton Senior Center and the Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program.
But Sherry’s impact extends far beyond these headline events. Her involvement with the Santa Barbara County Cattlewomen’s Association spans more than two decades.
She dedicated herself to the organization’s mission of helping educating youth about the beef industry and raising funds for scholarships.
At the Santa Barbara County Fair in Santa Maria, Sherry can be found manning the Cattlewomen’s booth, selling handmade items to support its scholarship fund, and assembling hundreds of buyers’ baskets for young livestock exhibitors.
Sherry’s culinary talents have become legendary in the valley. She’s a regular fixture at four local senior centers, where she designs menus, prepares meals and even delivers for Meals on Wheels Santa Ynez Valley.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many seniors found themselves isolated, Sherry stepped up her efforts.
She adopted seniors in her area, preparing and delivering her famous “Soup of the Week” meals, ensuring that even in the darkest times, her neighbors felt cared for and connected.
Her commitment to supporting local youth is evident in her work with 4-H, where she taught canning, sewing and scrapbooking for many years.
She supervised the club historian and helped design display booths for the County Fair, passing on valuable skills and a sense of community responsibility to the next generation.
Sherry’s generosity knows no bounds. For 19 years, she cooked weekly meals for around 50 members of the Santa Ynez Valley Sportsmen’s Association, with proceeds supporting the Scholastic Kids Shooting League.
She’s been active with the Santa Ynez Valley Youth Recreation Queens program, donating dinners at her home and items for auctions.
Her beautiful ranch has served as a venue for numerous fundraising events, where she often provided both catering and floral arrangements.
What sets Sherry apart is not just the breadth of her involvement, but the spirit in which she gives.
“I want to make a difference, big or small,” she said. “There is so much we can do. I plan on giving of myself till I run out of steam.”
This attitude has inspired countless others in the community to get involved and give back.
It’s also among the many reasons why Musgrove will be honored with the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Our Lifetime Achievement Award recipient has a unique gift for bringing people together through her culinary talents, using food as a way to fuel connection, provide nourishment and support local nonprofits,” said Esther Jacobsen Bates, the foundation’s executive director.
“From working with youth to organizing community events, her energy and dedication seems limitless. Her impact is felt across generations, making her a true pillar of service in our community.”
Champions of the Valley
Since 1995, the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation has been honoring exceptional local volunteers whose tireless community commitment enriches the Santa Ynez Valley and Los Alamos, their residents and a wide range of local organizations.
This year’s Champions of the Valley honorees are Charlotte Dicke Becerra, Dave Bemis, Donna Hinsbeeck, Ann Foxworthy Lewellen, and Debra and Brad Vidro.
Youth Community Champions are Lizbeth Ortiz Aguilera, Rafael Beleski and Emma Tesdahl.
Sherry Musgrove will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award and the late David Crosby will be honored with the Stuart C. Gildred Senior Visionary Award.
The awards will be presented at 4 p.m. Oct. 13 at Rancho Carmina in Los Olivos. Click here for more information, or click here to purchase tickets online.
The Champions of the Valley celebration is sponsored by U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, the Ann Jackson Family Foundation, Noozhawk, The Landsby, Allan Hancock College, Visit the Santa Ynez Valley and Montecito Bank & Trust.
The honorees were chosen by a panel of foundation board members and former honorees, based on nominations made by the community.
The honorees each receive a $1,000 grant to support a nonprofit organization of their choice. The Youth Community Champions each receive a $1,000 scholarship to further their education.
Santa Ynez Valley Foundation
The Santa Ynez Valley Foundation is dedicated to a mission centered around grant-making, extending financial support and resources to a diverse array of local organizations and initiatives in the Santa Ynez and Los Alamos valleys.
The grants are strategically channeled into key sectors, including health and human services, support for seniors, arts and culture, youth development, and education.
The foundation also administers a robust College Scholarship Program designed to empower ambitious college-bound local students.
More than 60 students are beneficiaries of this program, receiving scholarships to facilitate their pursuit of higher education and, in turn, contributing to the overall advancement of the community.
