The Santa Ynez Valley celebrated 11 community champions whose volunteer efforts have spanned a vast variety of groups, including spearheading food distribution programs, leading the reopening of a library, advocating for music education and more.
Approximately 200 people gathered Sunday afternoon at Rancho Carmina for the Santa Ynez Foundation’s Champions of the Valley event.
The 11 honorees, “remarkable volunteers who truly embody the vibrant spirit of our community,” were nominated by community members and selected by the board and past honorees, according to foundation board president Chris Urquidez.
“A common thread connects all the nominees — a selfless commitment to their community and those around them,” Urquidez said. “These honorees do not serve for glory or recognition but because it’s the right thing to do. In their service to others, they have found immense joy and fulfillment.”
The event concluded with the rare posthumous awarding of the Stuart C. Gildred Sr. Visionary Award to musician David Crosby, who died Jan. 18, 2023. His widow, Jan Crosby, accepted the honor saluting his support of music education for valley youths through an organization known as Let There Be Music.
Foundation Executive Director Esther Jacobsen-Bates presented Jan Crosby an award crafted by a Harmony-based glass blower.
“We hope you’ll look at that and think and remember all that you and David shared with our community and gave our kids, and the way you have a blessing for expanding their passion and understanding of music,” Jacobsen-Bates said.
An emotional Crosby said, “I miss him, but we all had such a fun time with him.”
The award is named for the founder of the foundation and had been given only three times previously to recognize extensive service, Urquidez added.
Sherry Musgrove received the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her decades of volunteerism, most recently working with four senior citizen organizations.
“The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented only when the breadth and diversity of the volunteer contributions are truly impressive and ongoing, just like those of our honoree, Sherry Musgrove,” Urquidez said.
“Sherry embodies the spirit of volunteerism that makes our communities thrive, touching countless lives through her tireless efforts and boundless energy.”
As part of the awards, the foundation presented $1,000 checks to recipients to donate to the nonprofit organization of their choice, with Musgrove picking the Los Alamos Senior Center.
The foundation also named six recipients of the Champions Award. They were:
- Charlotte Dicke Becerra, who has directed her $1,000 to the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum for youth education
- Dave Bemis, who granted his $1,000 to the Santa Ynez Valley Children’s Museum
- Donna Hinsbeeck, who provided her $1,000 award to Bethania Church’s Tuesday food distribution program
- Ann Foxworthy Lewellen, who divided her $1,000 between the Allan Hancock College Foundation and Solvang Theaterfest
- Debra and Brad Vidro, who donated their $1,000 award to C.A.R.E.4Paws
Three college students also were honored to salute the next generation of champions. They were Lizbeth Ortiz Aguilera and Rafael Beleski, both Cal Poly students, plus Emma Tesdahl, who attends Allan Hancock College with plans to transfer to UCSB.
Since starting in 1991, the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation has awarded nearly $7 million to support 300 nonprofit organizations in the Santa Ynez and Los Alamos valleys.
Along with grants, the foundation awards scholarships, giving out more than $1 million to 548 local recipients.
The annual recognition event has taken place since 1996.
“Each time I attend, I leave inspired,” Urquidez said. “I hope you will, too.”
