[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.]
Since their arrival in 2005, Debra and Brad Vidro have become the embodiment of civic engagement and community spirit in the Santa Ynez Valley.
Debra, a California native with a background in emergency services, and Brad, a Michigan-born civil engineer turned city manager, might seem an unlikely pair to become the backbone of community service in a small California community.
Yet their journey from newcomers to indispensable community leaders is a testament to the power of volunteerism and the impact that dedicated individuals can have on their surroundings.
For Debra, the transition from South Lake Tahoe to Los Alamos in 2005 was initially challenging.
“No family, no friends, and no shopping — what to do?” she recalled.
But rather than retreat, Debra saw an opportunity to immerse herself in her new community.
She quickly became involved in local initiatives, serving as a trustee for Olga Reed School, chairing fundraising efforts for the Friends of the Los Alamos Public Library, and becoming a key member of the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County’s Los Alamos satellite.
Brad’s impact in the community began through his professional role as Solvang’s city manager, a position he held for 12 years.
During his tenure, he was instrumental in revitalizing Solvang’s downtown and bringing several new events to the area.
But it was his dedication beyond office hours that truly set him apart. From coordinating food distributions during the COVID-19 pandemic to serving on multiple boards, including the Solvang Festival Theater and the Los Alamos Community Services District, Brad has shown an unwavering commitment to the betterment of his adopted home.
Together, Brad and Debra have become a force multiplier for community service in the Santa Ynez Valley. Their collaborative efforts have touched nearly every aspect of community life, from education and culture to social services and infrastructure.
One of their most significant joint projects was the transformation of an old building into a sustainable library for Los Alamos.
Debra spearheaded the fundraising efforts, while Brad lent his expertise to the renovation process. Together, they not only helped with construction and repairs but also continue to maintain the library garden.
Debra’s annual “Let’s Make a Book Deal” fundraiser, which she organizes with Brad’s help, raises approximately $35,000 each year to support the library’s operations, including a librarian.
Their commitment to education extends beyond the library. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many students were struggling with remote learning, Brad and Debra organized and helped build more than 75 desks for local children.
They personally delivered and set up these desks in homes, ensuring that underprivileged students had a dedicated space for learning.
The Vidros’ impact on the community was particularly evident during the height of the pandemic.
As food insecurity became even more of a pressing issue, they worked almost daily with a small group in Los Alamos to coordinate food pickups and distributions to at-risk residents.
Their efforts — which continued for more than a year — ensured that vulnerable community members had access to essential supplies during a critical time.
Their volunteerism extends to numerous local nonprofit organizations and benefits. From supporting Atterdag Village of Solvang and Solvang Friendship House to contributing to the Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital Foundation and the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society, the Vidros are fixtures at community fundraisers and events.
And they don’t just attend these functions; they often work behind the scenes, contribute financially and help organize the events themselves.
Brad’s involvement with the Vikings of Solvang has allowed him to support various community initiatives, including an annual Christmas event for disadvantaged children.
His role on the Solvang Festival Theater board was crucial in raising funds for the facility’s reconstruction, ensuring that this cultural cornerstone would continue to serve the community for years to come.
Brad was responsible for bringing the Special Olympics to Solvang and was involved in bringing the Amgen Racing Trials to the valley.
He volunteers for Solvang Danish Days every year and worked for nearly two years on Solvang’s Centennial in 2011, even going to Denmark with 50 other local leaders for a 12-day meet and greet.
For both Brad and Debra, volunteerism is more than just a hobby, it’s a fundamental aspect of community membership.
“Donating time, energy and effort into the community is a basic tenet of being a member of a community,” Brad explained.
“Without citizens stepping up and participating, organizations can become stagnant and not grow and develop to enrich the community.”
Debra echoes this sentiment, adding a spiritual dimension to their service.
Inspired by 1 John 3:18, “Let us not love with words or speech but with actions,” she sees volunteering as a tangible expression of love for one’s community.
“By volunteering, you feel a sense of purpose,” she said. “It’s a feeling of contributing to your community where your actions have meaning that will benefit others.”
The Vidros’ impact on the Santa Ynez Valley has not gone unnoticed.
Linda Johansen, who nominated them as Santa Ynez Valley Foundation 2024 Champions of the Valley, describes them as “shining stars in our communities.”
Heather Bedford added, “They volunteer for almost every event and are constantly helping in our communities. They are true champions!”
Esther Jacobsen Bates, executive director of the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation, says they “truly embody the spirit of ‘we before me.’”
“They have tirelessly dedicated themselves to improving the quality of life in both the Los Alamos and Santa Ynez valleys,” she said.
“As advocates and organizers, they are known not only for quietly getting the job done but also for inspiring others to join in and work for the greater good.”
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.
