CommUnify’s 18th annual Champions Awards Dinner raised $255,250. The sold-out event hosted 200 guests from across Santa Barbara County including community leaders, business owners, and nonprofits was held June 7 at Hotel Corque, in Solvang.

The event recognizes individuals, nonprofits, and businesses whose dedication to the well-being of residents countywide has made the community a better place.

The 2024 honorees were Geoff Green, The Vikings of Solvang, and Hardy Diagnostics.

Andrew Firestone was emcee and auctioneer for the evening, which included a live auction and a paddle raise, along with the medallion award ceremony for the CommUnify Champions.

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 its first award ever was The Vikings of Solvang. For the past 50 years, the Vikings have provided financial support to county residents with medically related needs, and hosted 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.

Supported by 69 corporate and in-kind sponsors, the Champions Dinner 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,” she said.

For more about CommUnify’s programs and services, visit www.CommUnifySB.org.