The sold-out 19th annual CommUnify Champions Award Gala, held June 6 at Hotel Corque in Solvang, raised $258,350 to support the seven programs of the organization’s Family & Youth Services Department.
The 2025 honorees were Renee Grubb and the Realtors of Village Properties, Future for Lompoc Youth (FLY), and Future Farmers of America (FFA).
The three honorees and their organizations support paths to success for youth throughout Santa Barbara County.
At the dinner, CommUnify (formerly Community Action Commission, or CAC) hosted some 200 guests from Santa Barbara County, including community leaders, business owners, and nonprofits.
Geoff Green, CEO, California Association of Nonprofits and a 2024 champion honoree, served as the evening’s emcee and auctioneer. The event included a live auction and a paddle raise, along with the Medallion Award ceremony for the newest cohort of CommUnify Champions.
The Champions Award Gala recognizes individuals, nonprofits and businesses whose dedication to the well-being of residents countywide has made our community a better place, CommUnify said.
All three honorees and their organizations support paths to success for local youth.
Village Properties through The Teachers Fund and their volunteer work with numerous local nonprofits; Future for Lompoc Youth, which provides career and education guidance in partnership with Allan Hancock College, and encourages civic engagement for at-risk youth; and Santa Maria’s FFA programs which assists some 1,000 North County high schoolers by teaching leadership skills and business and communications techniques, and prepares them for potential career paths in agriculture.
The Champions Dinner was funded by 60 corporate and in-kind sponsors and raised more than $258,350 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 matching grant.
“In these challenging times, we are doubly grateful for the generosity and continued support from the community,” said CommUnify CEO Patricia Keelean.
“The funds raised will help CommUnify provide the disadvantaged youth of Santa Barbara County with services such as mentoring, behavioral wellness, life skills, parenting skills, and career training, empowering these adolescents and their families to achieve a brighter and more stable future,” she said.
Several of the county’s local elected representatives attended.
CommUnify 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 all of Santa Barbara County.
As one of the largest nonprofits in Santa Barbara County, CommUnify employs more than 300 staff including health, education, and social service workers who oversee 16 countywide programs and services for the community.
More information is available at www.CommUnifySB.org.