2020 Be the Difference Awards Goes Online

The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County along with their presenting sponsor Santa Cruz Community Credit Union and fellow sponsors will celebrate the 2020 Be the Difference Awards honoring the individuals, groups, and businesses that transform Santa Cruz County through volunteerism.

"While this year will look like never before in our 14 year history of the awards, we promise an incredible hour of lunchtime inspiration and entertainment social distance style. We encourage all community members to join us in celebration," states Volunteer Center Director of Communications Christine Loewe.

Traditionally, more than 400 individuals, community leaders, and business representatives have come together in person for a lunchtime gala to honor local service champions. This year the Be the Difference Awards will happen online via a pre-recorded Watch Party Celebration that will premiere Wednesday, Oct 21st at 12 PM. Community members will have the opportunity to watch the premiere via the Volunteer Center website, Facebook page, or their Youtube channel.

"We will bring you local musicians, community leaders, and a few of our favorite local heroes– ALL in honor of the nominees chosen by our community. We are excited to share that James Durbin will be among our special guests," states Loewe.

"Once again, our partners at KION-546 will help us highlight our five outstanding nominees through honorary videos and all 55 nominees will be recognized throughout the show," continues Loewe.

Annually, the Be the Difference Awards give the local community a chance to say thank you to those who donate their time everyday to make Santa Cruz County a better place to live.

"Given the incredible challenges we have faced in 2020, these awards serve as our opportunity to take a break from the news cycle and shine a light on the resilience of Santa Cruz County. We could all use a bit of good news and we think hearing about those who do good in our community will serve as a much needed moment of joy as we close out October," states Loewe.

To help offset the cost of producing this year's event the Volunteer Center is offering two ways that community members can contribute while joining in.

"This is an event that is near and dear to many and we look forward to continuing the Be the Difference Awards for years to come. For those who love the awards as much as we do, we hope they will consider becoming a friend of the event," states Loewe.

All friends who donate $50 or more will be entered into a drawing to win a Golden State Warriors Jersey signed by Draymond Green.

Donations can be made here.

Additionally, when community members purchase their meal from Woodstock Pizza on the day of the online premiere October 21st between 12-9 PM, 25% of the meal proceeds will go towards the Volunteer Center.

"We hope you will grab some pizza and take a virtual lunch break with us to celebrate volunteerism and our 55 nominees,” states Loewe.

Each year, a panel of community leaders comes together to serve as the Be the Difference Award Judges and together, they select 5 outstanding nominees from among all nominations.

The Volunteer Center is proud to announce the top honorees for the 2020 Be the Difference Awards: Business Winner UPS Santa Cruz, Non-Profit Winner Youth N.O.W, Group Winner UC Santa Cruz Molecular Diagnostic Lab, and Individual Winners Penny Cotter and Foster Andersen.

Learn more about their volunteer contributions during the Watch Party on October 21st.

Community members can learn more about the event by visiting https://scvolunteercenter.org/events-2/be-the-difference-awards