Be the Difference Awards

Celebrating Volunteer Heroes
May 8 @ Cocoanut Grove

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Latest News

Group photo of 16 diverse volunteers and staff members of the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, standing outside their building. They are smiling and posing together on a sunny day, with one person holding a clear trophy, celebrating their community service achievements.

High Fives for Volunteerism!

Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County Receives Prestigious Community Service Award https://youtu.be/z7GoxF-vr6Y?si=GaF-_VY14KYPPpat The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County is honored to announce that it has been awarded the High Five Community Service Excellence Award. This prestigious recognition is presented by FOX 35 and Monterey Credit Union to commend organizations and individuals who demonstrate an ...

Meet the Stars of Volunteer Service

Introducing the 2024 Be the Difference Honorees! Tickets Now Open for the Heartwarming Community Event at The Boardwalk’s Cocoanut Grove In an inspiring celebration of service and community spirit, the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County is set to host the 2024 Be the Difference Awards on Wednesday, May 8, from 11:30 am - 1:30 ...

UCSC: Empowering communities through partnership

Five UCSC undergraduates, one graduate student, and two faculty members working with The Blum Center on Poverty, Social Enterprise, and Participatory Governance spent their Saturday volunteering at the build site, highlighting one of the experiential learning opportunities UCSC students are gaining from a partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Originally Published May 17, 2023 By Haneen Zain This project was made possible ...

Upcoming Events

Volunteer Spotlight

A Love of Learning Leads to Literacy and More

Cecilia Ogarrio-Munoz stood before a packed crowd of cheering family and supporters at the Henry J. Mello Center for the Performing Arts in Watsonville. Proudly wearing her cap and gown, Cecilia walked across the stage to receive her high school equivalency degree, or GED.

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Meet Ellen: Volunteer with Americorps Seniors / Monterey Bay RSVP

Ellen, a retired real estate agent and now a proud member of AmeriCorps Seniors/Monterey Bay RSVP, has been with the Volunteer Center since the spring of 2023.

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Meet Ron and Jim: Friends in Service

Neighbors, workout partners, volunteers, and friends for over 15 years – Jim Kinney and Ron Marquez have a long history of community service.

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Meet Austin Lee, Second Harvest Food Bank Volunteer

Austin volunteers on Saturdays, helping pack produce bags that go out to over 65,000 community
members each month.

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Hopes Closet Levels the Playing Field for Kids

Hopes Closet provides clothing, shoes, books, and toys to families in need.

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Meet the Volunteers at Boulder Creek Fire Protection District

2023 Recipients of the Be the Difference Award for Rebuilding Community After Disaster for their tireless support and brave response efforts to emergencies throughout their district.

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