[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.]
Among the tight-knit Santa Ynez Valley’s most dedicated residents and volunteers is Dave Bemis, whose life journey has taken him from Pennsylvania to Oregon to California.
Born and raised in the northwest corner of Pennsylvania, Dave’s early years were spent in small towns surrounded by farms, forests, lakes and rivers.
It was there that he forged friendships that have lasted a lifetime and developed a strong sense of family that continues to this day. These early experiences laid the foundation for his future dedication to community service.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, Dave’s adventurous spirit led him westward.
He landed in Eugene, Oregon, where he pursued a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. This choice would shape the course of his professional life and, ultimately, his impact on the Santa Ynez Valley community.
For nearly four decades, Dave worked as a journalist, in Eugene and throughout Santa Barbara County.
His career in journalism gave him a unique perspective on the communities he served, allowing him to understand their needs, challenges and potential in ways few others could. This insight would prove invaluable in his later volunteer work.
Dave and his wife, Casey, have called the Santa Ynez Valley home since 2007. In retirement, Dave briefly helped launch the Santa Ynez Valley Star, further cementing his connection to the local community.
Today, he and Casey enjoy a rich family life, with three grown stepchildren and six grandchildren spread across California and Florida.
But it’s Dave’s volunteer work that truly sets him apart. When asked about his motivation for volunteering, he reflects on his childhood.
“From the time I could pay attention, I watched my parents lending a hand to anyone who needed it,” he shared. “At times we didn’t have very much, but they always shared what they had in the community and through their church.
“I guess I assumed as a child that helping others was just the right way to live.”
This early lesson has guided Dave throughout his life, manifesting in a remarkable range of volunteer activities in the Santa Ynez Valley.
His efforts are primarily channeled through three organizations: Los Olivos Rotary Club, the Vikings of Solvang, and St. Mark’s in the Valley Episcopal Church in Los Olivos.
Through these groups, Dave has connected with numerous local nonprofit organizations, supporting them in whatever way he can.
Dave’s impact on the community is both broad and deep. As the chief of the Vikings and Los Olivos Rotary president, he has demonstrated visionary leadership and a hands-on approach to community service.
One of his most notable projects was directing a Rotary program that built and installed free lending library boxes not just throughout the valley, but also in neighboring Los Alamos.
This initiative showcases Dave’s ability to think beyond local boundaries and create initiatives that benefit the wider region.
His tenure as Rotary president has been marked by tireless dedication. Dave manages all club meetings and needs, and provides the infrastructure for the annual Los Olivos Jazz & Olive Festival. This involves everything from installing banners and signs to directing personnel and driving hours to secure equipment from as far as Santa Maria.
It’s this willingness to roll up his sleeves and do the hard work that sets Dave apart.
Dave’s commitment to community service extends beyond his official roles. He’s a key volunteer for Santa Ynez Valley Community Outreach, for which he has led significant building projects.
These include renovating the Buellton thrift store and constructing the Holy Grounds coffee shop, both of which provide crucial income for the program.
Each year, he also assembles and leads a team to produce the Cars & Cowboys Extravaganza benefit for Meals on Wheels Santa Ynez Valley in Los Olivos.
But for Dave, volunteering is more than just a way to give back, it’s a source of personal growth and connection.
“In a sense, volunteering is a selfish act,” he said, “because I think I benefit from it as much as anyone I help. Lending a hand teaches me more about my community and connects me with others.
“If you find something you like and a cause worth supporting, volunteering is also gratifying and just plain fun.”
Chris Urquidez, board president of the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation, calls Dave “a driving force in our community” — one the foundation will recognize as a 2024 Champion of the Valley on Oct. 13.
“His leadership in organizing events, dedication to serving on nonprofit boards, and willingness to roll up his sleeves to get the job done inspire those around him,” he said.
“He has a talent for bringing people together to tackle projects, proving that together we can make our community better for all.”
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.
