United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) joined local philanthropists and community members for a reception to celebrate the organization’s supporters in the Alexis de Tocqueville and Leadership giving circles. Sponsored by City National Bank, the event was held at the home of Nick and Rosemary Mutton in Montecito.
“Your focused philanthropic involvement has a lifetime of impact on the families we serve,” Steve Ortiz, president/CEO of United Way told attendees.
“Your willingness to contribute your leadership, insight and experience on top of your generous contributions to our organization has adapted a very traditional funding model into an impactful philanthropic partnership that manifests in more efficient, targeted programming and more resilient communities,” he said.
UWSBC is currently seeing the highest annual revenue in its nearly 100-year history, thanks to support from those at the event and the recent partnership with Santa Barbara County in facilitating restricted federal funding for rental assistance and relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also speaking at the event was Kavya Suresh, a local high school student and current volunteer at Fun in the Sun, United Way’s award-winning summer learning program for local students. Describing her experience as a mentor at Fun in the Sun, Suresh said:
“Seeing the impact I made on the participants as their faces lit up with smiles when I arrived every morning affirmed my previous wish of becoming an educator. I want to continue to be a mentor for people who may just need one person to guide them on the right path to empower them to transform the world.
“We all have the power to be that person, not just for Fun in The Sun participants today, but for the creators, activists, leaders, and innovators of tomorrow.”
The event also acknowledged three of the organization’s supporters in each of the giving circles. Presented by United Way’s Board Chair, Cliff Lundberg, the Time, Talent and Treasure award was given to Santa Barbaran David Prichard, who has supported United Way for more than 20 years.
Prichard has participated on the UWSBC leadership giving committee at events like the annual Day of Caring service, and as a member of the United Way Board of Directors.
The Alexis de Tocqueville award for Outstanding Philanthropy honored Merryl and Chuck Zegar, philanthropists whose focus is both global and local. The Zegars’ support for the Fun in the Sun summer learning collaborative brought expansion and innovation to the program, allowing United Way to increase resources and experiences for participating students.
To learn more, visit unitedwaysb.org.