Mark Golden, from left, Merrill Lynch; David Prichard, Bank of America and chair of United Way of Santa Barbara County’s Leadership Circle Committee; Cristina Prichard; Steve Ortiz, director of Workplace Development for United Way of Santa Barbara County and and Eve Ortiz, Bank of America, participate in the United Way of Santa Barbara County Community Partners celebration. Courtesy photo.
SANTA BARBARA — The United Way of Santa Barbara County recently recognized 250 community partner representatives for their roles in the success of United Way’s Fun in the Sun program, the organization reported this week in a media release.
This “Celebration of Excellence” showcased the contributions of nearly 90 community partners in the success of the Fun in the Sun program, which has been awarded a prestigious 2012 National Excellence in Summer Learning Award from The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA). The event was held at Fess Parker’s Do ubletree Resort and guests included partners and executives from education, finance, arts, non-profit, and technology fields
With the collaboration of an array of community partners (involving 72 service delivery partners, 15 funding partners, and 500 volunteer mentors), United Way of Santa Barbara County’s Fun in the Sun (FITS) serves financially and academically at-risk children (ages 7-18) and parents, for seven weeks each summer.
All participants come from low-income families and qualify for free and reduced-price meals during the school year. Since 1997, 250 community partners have contributed to the program’s success and the program has served more than 2,500 local children and 1,500 parents.
To find out how to get involved including individual and corporate volunteer opportunities, contact Courtney Tarnow at 805=965-8591 or www.unitedwaysb.org
William Banning, from left, superintendent of Goleta Union School District; Paul Didier, president & CEO of United Way of Santa Barbara County; and Salud Carbajal, First District County supervisor, participate in the United Way of Santa Barbara County Community Partners celebration. Courtesy photo.