MAN AND WOMAN OF THE YEAR
The
Man and Woman of the Year program was developed to provide
recognition for local residents who volunteer selflessly for the
benefit of the community. In addition to recognition plaques, the
Man and the Woman of the Year each receive a $2,000 grant from The
Valley Foundation that they may designate to a charity of choice.
Additional volunteers may be honored in the focus areas of The
Valley Foundation: health and human services; seniors; youth;
education; cultural and community enhancement. These honorees each
receive a $500 grant to designate for charity. From time to time the
Selection Committee may also choose to honor a person or couple with
a lifetime achievement award.
When the
idea was first formulated in 1995, The Valley Foundation staff
approached the late LaCinda Johnson, then-publisher of the
Santa Ynez Valley News, about co-sponsoring the event. Ms. Johnson
enthusiastically offered the full cooperation and support of the
newspaper, and personally participated in planning sessions until
her death. The current owners of the
Valley News agreed to
continue this tradition and partner with The Valley Foundation by
printing the nomination form during the month of January and running
articles announcing the honorees during February and March.
A gala
banquet in early spring serves as the venue for the presentation of
awards and recognition of all the nonprofit agencies that provide
important programs to the Santa Ynez Valley and Los Alamos
communities. Several hundred guests gather at the Santa Ynez Valley
Marriott to celebrate with the honorees.
