540 Alisal Rd., Ste. 10
Solvang, CA 93463
Phone: (805) 688-2991
Fax: (805) 688-1741
syvf@verizon.net
The Valley Foundations
Man and Woman of
the Year Program
The Man and Woman of the Year program was developed to provide recognition for
the army of local residents who volunteers selflessly for the benefit of the
Santa Ynez Valley and Los Alamos. Each year the annual Man and
Woman of the Year Gala is held at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott in Buellton.
In 1995 The Valley Foundation approached the Santa Ynez Valley News to ask for
support for the Man and Woman of the Year program. Then owner and publisher
LaCinda Johnson agreed to co-sponsor the event. The SYV News continued the
tradition and the paper's new owners, Lee Central Coast Newspapers support the
program.
Each year, the community is asked to submit nominations of local residents who
generously volunteer to help others. Nominations are requested in January and,
by mid-February, a fine representation of the outstanding volunteers in our
Valley have been placed into consideration. Nomination forms are mailed out to
local organizations, schools and churches. The Valley News also
publishes the form in numerous editions prior to the deadline for submission. Click
here for Nomination Form.
A Selection Committee is then convened, consisting of former Men and Women of
the Year, representatives of the Valley News and TVF Board members. They review
and evaluate the nominations, making the extremely difficult choices for the
final honorees. In addition to the Man and Woman of the Year several other
volunteers may be recognized for their efforts in the areas of health and human
services, seniors, youth, education and culture.
Past honorees are as follows:
1996 Chuck Pira and Marie Jaeger
1997 Martin Coyle and Jerrie Domingos
1998 Jack Pellerin and Linda Johansen
1999 Dean Anders and Bernice Dotz
2000 Jim Richard and Carol Anders
2001 Daryl Nielsen and Joan Ott
2002 Donald Sorensen and Barbara Hallum
2003 Paul O. Halme and Judith Adams
2004 Dr. Art Kaslow and Tresha Sell
2005 Michael Balaban and Mary Ann Evans
* 2006 - Peter Robbins and Carolynn Petersen
* 2007 - John Rasmussen and Barbara Anderson
