United Way of Santa Barbara County celebrated its longstanding history of partnership with members of the organization’s Alexis de Tocqueville and Leadership giving circles, and awarded its annual Time, Talent, and Treasure award to community members Rick Scott and Carolyn Laforce.
Santa Barbara, Ca, September 8, 2025: United Way of Santa Barbara County hosted local philanthropists and community members to celebrate the organization’s supporters in the Alexis de Tocqueville ($10,000+) and Leadership ($1,000) giving circles. The event’s title sponsor was City National Bank, and supporting sponsors included Cat in a Hammock and the Santa Barbara Design Center. The gathering was held at the El Encanto hotel in Santa Barbara on September 3, 2025, and live musical entertainment was provided by local musician Chris Fossek.
In brief remarks to the group, Steve Ortiz, President and CEO of United Way stated, “United Way’s ADT and Leadership Circle supporters are at the core of our ability to convene and direct these groups to identify pressing needs, evaluate strategies, and take real action to best serve our neighbors in need. The continued support of its Alexis de Tocqueville Society and Leadership giving circles has provided the organization a reliable foundation for this transformative era in the organization’s operations and expansion to serve thousands of local children and family in the community.”
The program also included remarks from Maria Vargas, a member of the Transition House case management team, a local service agency onboarded as an official partner of United Way’s Resiliency Grants program, which provides flexible funding to support targeted needs that impact long-term financial resiliency like rental and utility assistance, medical bills, and car repairs. “Our partnership with United Way works so well because it is truly collaborative and grounded in proven strategies for long-term financial stability,” said Vargas. “When our resources are limited or a family’s need falls outside our scope, United Way is the trusted partner we know we can turn to, helping individuals and families cross the finish line to stability.”
The event also acknowledged two community advocates and members of its Leadership Giving Circle. Honored by United Way’s President and CEO, Steve Ortiz, the couple, Rick Scott and Carolyn Laforce were recognized for the Time, Talent, and Treasure award, celebrating over 25 years of support to United Way. The couple have been leaders in the community through Scott’s role as CEO of the Cancer Center and have actively participated and engaged in various board, volunteer, and committee roles through United Way in addition to other community organizations working to advance youth opportunity and academic achievement.
United Way leadership expressed appreciation to all attendees for their dedicated support and looks forward to continued partnerships in furthering the organization’s mission and vision of more resilient communities.
About United Way of Santa Barbara County
Since 1923, United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) has been a key leader in local efforts to empower children, families, and communities through its own unique collaborative programs and initiatives, partnership convening efforts, volunteer development, and funding. UWSBC’s mission is to enrich the lives of children and families and build resilient communities by leading local programs and partnerships that improve school readiness and academic achievement, financial empowerment, and crisis response and recovery. To learn more, please visit unitedwaysb.org.
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