96th Annual Awards Celebration Gives United Way of Santa Barbara County an Opportunity to Recognize Community Heroes

United Way of Santa Barbara County CEO Steve Ortiz with members of the Cottage Health team at United Way’s 96th Annual Awards Wednesday, May 8. Cottage Health received the award for Most Outstanding Campaign (Photo by Emily Hart Roberts).

SANTA BARBARA — United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) and its  partners from throughout the community gathered for the 96th Annual Awards Celebration May 8th at the Santa Barbara Hilton Beachfront Resort.

Local volunteers, businesses, schools, and organizations were recognized for their significant contributions to UWSBC’s work in the community during the 2018 calendar year.

“Everyone in this room, whether you take home an award tonight or not, has made a significant contribution to the Santa Barbara community,” said United Way of Santa Barbara County CEO Steve Ortiz. “We would not be able to impact the lives of local children, families, and seniors without the tremendous support of our partners. Thank you for continuing to give back and helping make Santa Barbara County such a wonderful place to live and work.”

The full list of 2019 award winners is below:

  • United for Literacy Partner of the Year: Diana Rigby – Carpinteria Unified School District
  • Community Impact Partner of the Year: Family Service Agency
  • Fun in the Sun Partner of the Year: Santa Barbara Unified School District Nutritional Services
  • Spirit of Giving Award: AGIA Affinity Services
  • Spotlight Award: Community West Bank
  • Extraordinary Newcomer Award: Procore
  • Live United Award: UC Santa Barbara
  • Most Outstanding Campaign: Cottage Health
  • Outstanding Leadership in the Workplace: County of Santa Barbara
  • Outstanding Employee Campaign Manager: Mei-Ling Fry – AGIA Affinity Services

For more information, visit www.unitedwaysb.org/awards

United Way of Santa Barbara County: United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) has the unique and positive vision that “in our community, everyone has a hopeful future.” Since 1923, UWSBC has served Santa Barbara County community through funding, volunteer development, and by utilizing its own unique initiatives that involve dozens of local non-profit and public sector agencies. UWSBC’s local community driven Power of Partnership™ priorities help children, families & seniors with a focus on Education, Income and Health.