One805 is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2022 Heart of The Community Awards, which will be presented on stage at the upcoming One805LIVE! event. The honorees are:
Retired Santa Barbara City Fire Chief Pat McElroy, for his long-time service, and recently his tireless dedication to the installation of the nets above Montecito as Executive Director of the Partnership for Resilient Communities. Extraordinary dedication and determination was required to make this happen, and against all odds Pat and his team rose to the challenge. Pat is an inspiration to us all, and the community of Montecito is considerably safer for his efforts.
Travis Twining, Amanda Wynn-Twining and Alastair and Ann Wynn, share quick thinking, generosity and an extraordinary sense of community. On the morning of the mudflows, realizing Montecito had been cut off and many people were stranded, the family immediately called the managers at their company Giffin Rental and instructed
them to get every available piece of earth-moving equipment to Montecito, and leave it ready on the roadside for whomever needed it. Their generosity of spirit and inspired emergency response embodies the Heart of the Community Award.
Alixe Mattingly has long been a keystone of our non-profit community and is an active advocate and board member for area nonprofit organizations including the new Museum of Exploration and Innovation (MOXI), Direct Relief International, Storyteller Children’s Center, Hospice, Lotusland, the Alzheimers Association, the Mosher Foundation and Laguna Blanca School, and recently The Partnership for Resilient Communities. For years Alixe has stepped up to provide boundless energy, intelligence and wise counsel wherever it is needed for the greater good. She is hugely deserving of this award.
Lynda Weinman designed and created the beautiful and unique 3D printed ceramic awards that will be presented to recipients.
Taking place on a private oceanfront estate on Padaro Lane, One805’s mission is to include the entire community and offer access to everyone who wants to support our First Responders, from budget concert-goer, to VIP. The All-star line-up - many of
whom have not played in Santa Barbara recently - includes Danny Seraphine of Chicago, Elliot Easton of The Cars, Wally Palmar of The Romantics and David Pack of Ambrosia.
One805 Board Member and Event Executive Producer Kirsten Cavendish said “Our line-up is exemplary - we have two Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, and two Grammy Award winners; Danny Seraphine is one of the top five drummers in the world. All of
them have connection to, or friendships in, Santa Barbara and are highly supportive of our cause, and they are all really excited to play together. There will be some surprise appearances, but I am not going to give anything away!”
“2022 is a big year for One805” said One805 President, Richard Weston Smith “In addition to all the grants we usually provide for First Responders, we recently undertook a new initiative to fund and manage the provision of counseling services for every Firefighter in Santa Barbara County - and their families”. This is a natural extension of the “Family Time” Program of 2022, which offers access to a beach-house for First Responder families to reconnect, and spend quality time together after the rigors of duty.
Retired Firefighter Tony Pighetti recently joined the board to bring his experience to the management of the counseling initiative. “Many people are aware of the awful things our First Responders have to see and endure in the line of duty, and suicide is all too common.” said Pighetti. “There is nothing more important to our community than a strong First Responder community, so we are doing all we can to help”.
There is an auction of celebrity memorabilia and art that accompanies the event, that is now live at: https://one805.betterworld.org
One805, founded in the aftermath of the Thomas Fire and Debris Flow, is a permanent 501(c)(3) corporation, raising funds for all three First Responder groups – Fire, Police, and Sheriff – purchasing equipment, supporting public safety & taking care of those who take care of us. One805 is an all-volunteer organization, and the only one that allows donors to help all of our First Responders with one donation. All the Chiefs of Santa Barbara County’s First Responders sit on its Advisory Council, ensuring that donations are sent to where they are most urgently needed.
For photos & more information, please visit www.one805.org or contact: rwestonsmith@one805.org
