Be the Difference Awards
"The most inspiring event of the year!"
The Annual Be the Difference Awards honors the remarkable impact of volunteers across Santa Cruz County. Join nearly 400 community leaders, changemakers, and everyday heroes for an inspiring afternoon filled with connection, community, and a delicious lunch!
When: Early May - 2025 date TBD
Where: The Boardwalk's Cocoanut Grove Ballroom, Santa Cruz, CA
Nominations open in January, 2025
Sponsorships available! Learn more here ->
2024 Honorees
Legacy of Service Awards
- Pat & Rowland “Reb” Rebele
- Santa Cruz County Bank
Businesses
- Crew Pointe Logistics
- David Lyng Real Estate
Groups
- 100+ Women Who Care
- Cradle to Career Santa Cruz County
- Ecology Action Bike Repair Program
- Gardenia Amor Y Bienestar Para La Mujer
- Habitat for Humanity "Golden Hammer Crew"
- Santa Cruz Elks Lodge
- The Santa Cruz Welcoming Network
- Teen Kitchen Project Delivery Angels
Individuals
- Daryl Wise, Shared Adventures
- Dean Spieller, Homeless Garden Project
- Debbie Falconer, Santa Cruz SPCA
- Dennis Cavaille, Volunteer Center Literacy Program
- Dora Gonzalez, CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates
- Erica Chapin, Volunteer Center's Disaster Response team
- Gary Bencomo, Dientes, Monarch Community Services, SCC Animal Shelter Foundation
- Geoff Alexander, Advocates for the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park
- Gerri Ashton, Hospice of Santa Cruz County
- Gerry Jensen, Capitola Business and Community Volunteer
Individuals
- Jennifer Fenton, The Equine Healing Collaborative
- Judy Stabile, Pajaro Valley Arts
- MaryJo Van Verth, Team Just Us
- Nancy Murray, Santa Cruz Sheriffs Posse
- Natalie Martinez Watsonville Community Volunteer
- Nicola Wagner, Homeless Garden Project
- Pat McVeigh, Habitat for Humanity
- Sister Rosa Dolores Rodriguez, Casa de la Cultura
- Sue Dormanen, Santa Cruz Shakespeare
- Suzanne MacLean, Homeless Garden Project
- Terri Fisher, Santa Cruz Hostel
- Tom and Libby Purdy, Wilder Ranch State Park
Awards are given in six categories:
- Social & Economic Justice
- Families & Youth
- Environmental Stewardship and Sustainablity
- Health & Wellness
- Arts & Culture
- Building Community
Our Judges
Spencer Arburn
Account Executive,
Group Sales
Santa Cruz Warriors
Audries Blake
Associate Director of Community Relations,
Scotts Valley Center, UCSC
Angela Cline
President, Volunteer Center Board of Directors, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Budget and Financial Management, University of California, Santa Cruz
Katie Denbo
Senior Director of Marketing & Employee Engagement,
1440 Multiversity
Katie Fairbairn
Chief Experience Officer
Santa Cruz Community Credit Union
Joe Foster
Public Affairs Manager, Kaiser Permanente
Michael Fusske
Integrated Marketing
Media Consultant
KION 46 Television
Amy Ivey
Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, Bay Federal Credit Union
Kristine Ronzano
Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager
Santa Cruz County Bank
Karen Delaney
Executive Director
Volunteer Center of
Santa Cruz County
Thank you to our 2024 Sponsors!
Daniel & Dorothee Moncino Charitable Fund
Acrisure Insurance Services
Karen Delaney
Santa Cruz Shakespeare
Fred Keeley, Mayor, City of Santa Cruz
Miller Maxfield, Inc.
Habitat for Humanity
Santa Cruz County – Housing for Health Partnership
University of California, Santa Cruz
