[Noozhawk’s note: One in a series on the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation’s 2025 Champions of the Valley who will be honored for their volunteerism and community service Oct. 12 at Rancho Carmina in Los Olivos. Click here for more information, or click here to purchase tickets online.]
Walk into any Santa Ynez Valley fundraiser and you’ll likely spot Doug Riedy working the crowd, raffle tickets in hand.
From the Vikings of Solvang to Santa Ynez Valley Youth Recreation to NatureTrack Foundation to the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum, Riedy is the valley’s go-to fundraising force — often moving most of the tickets himself.
His tireless dedication has earned him recognition as a Santa Ynez Valley Foundation 2025 Champion of the Valley.
“If there’s a raffle happening in the valley, chances are Doug Riedy is the one selling the tickets,” his nominator wrote, describing him as “a fundraising powerhouse” whose commitment to community causes seems to know no bounds.
But Riedy’s service extends far beyond ticket sales.
It’s found in the countless hours spent grilling over hot coals at the legendary barbecue pit used for fundraising events throughout the Santa Ynez and Los Alamos valleys.
It’s in the Youth Rec trailer filled with tables and chairs that he tows to event after event.
It’s in the mentorship he provides to new board members across multiple nonprofit organizations.
“Service to me isn’t just about board meetings — it’s about rolling up my sleeves,” Riedy explained, a philosophy evident in his quarter-century of hands-on involvement with valley nonprofits.
For more than 25 years, Riedy has served on the Youth Rec board, hauling equipment, supporting Youth Rec queen appearances and ensuring events have the infrastructure they need to succeed.
As a Viking for 25 years — including serving as chief in 2009 — he’s tended the Vikings’ barbecue pit, trained new pitmasters over hot coals and helped organize community fundraisers.
His board service reads like a directory of valley nonprofit organizations: six years with the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum & Parks-Janeway Carriage House, five years with the Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau, five years with NatureTrack Foundation.
At each organization, he’s not just present — he’s actively selling raffle tickets, often exceeding 90% of total sales himself.
“Service to me isn’t just about board meetings — it’s about rolling up my sleeves.”
Doug riedy
The barbecue pit has become something of a Riedy signature.
He sources food for events, making multiple stops to collect donations and purchasing bulk supplies as needed. He hauls the massive pit to and from event sites.
Most important, he spends countless hours grilling, ensuring fundraisers have the food they need while training the next generation of pitmasters.
For many years, Riedy dedicated himself to organizing the Wheels & Windmills Car Show, which raised vital funds for the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School auto shop program.
While the Vikings of Solvang now manage the show, Riedy remains actively involved, continuing to champion the program through various fundraising efforts to provide vital tools and resources.
His commitment to the Vikings also includes serving on the committee for the annual holiday party, which brings joy to more than 1,000 special needs students in Santa Barbara County each year — a heartwarming event creating lasting memories for students and families.
And then there’s his most magical role: Santa Claus himself.
During California’s COVID-19 lockdowns, Riedy grew out his beard and hair, unknowingly setting himself on a new path.
The white beard that emerged was perfect for Santa, and Riedy embraced the role wholeheartedly.
Now, each holiday season, he dons the red suit and shares in the joy and wonder of Christmas throughout the valley.
Even before achieving the perfect Santa beard, Riedy dressed as Santa, riding in Ken Andersen’s sleigh trailer with his sister, Tina, as Mrs. Claus, spending December weekends delivering joy and gifts to children across the valley.
“Most important, I’ve shared every step of this journey with my wife, Betsy,” Riedy noted. “Together, we’ve found great joy in giving back.”
His nominator summed it up simply: “Doug Riedy donates his time, talent and treasure to make the Santa Ynez Valley a better place to live. He’s not only a community hero but a true Valley Champion — and we’re lucky to have him.”
For Riedy, who describes himself as “fortunate to have the time and treasure to give back,” the recognition represents validation of a simple philosophy: show up, work hard and make your community better.
Whether he’s selling raffle tickets, grilling tri-tip, hauling equipment or bringing Christmas magic to children, Riedy embodies what it means to be a champion — someone who makes everyone around them better simply by being there.
“I’m grateful to serve this community and proud to call the Santa Ynez Valley home,” Riedy said, a sentiment the valley clearly returns in full measure.
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 honorees for the 30th Annual Champions of the Valley are Laura Beas-Díaz, Mike Brady, Terry Delaney and Doug Riedy.
Youth Community Champions are Kacy Caplan and Adrian Garcia.
Becky Barieau will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The awards will be presented at 4 p.m. Oct. 12 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, Kiani Preserve, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Rio Vista Chevrolet, the Ann Jackson Family Foundation, Flying Z Ranch-Betty and Ron Ziegler, Rancho Carmina-Hayley Firestone, Women Winemakers & Culinarians Foundation, Noozhawk, The Landsby, Manchester Capital Management, the Nagler Family Fund, Allan Hancock College, Barbara Anderson, Linda Stafford Burrows, the Grenier Family, Hometown Insurance Services-Debbie and Randy Jones, Montecito Bank & Trust, Santa Barbara Foundation, Santa Ynez General-Turnbull Family, Town and Ranch Properties-Michael Nicola and Gabriel Bustamante, Urquidez Building Corp.-Laura and Chris Urquidez, Visit the Santa Ynez Valley.
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 food security, 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.
Currently, 50 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.
