Editorial: Heart of Marin a fitting tribute to inspiring group of nonprofits, volunteers

Colleen Arnold, as she was being honored for her volunteer work at the annual Heart of Marin luncheon last week, commented on the event’s annual youth awards, saying they make her feel like “I’m not doing enough.” Many in the audience at the San Rafael event shared her summation.

Soon after, a number of local teens were honored for their seemingly tireless commitment to needs, large and small. Many worked on multiple causes, locally and nationally, while also getting top grades in school. They were among those honored at the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership’s 31st awards ceremony where they turned the spotlight on Marin’s nonprofits and their generous volunteers.

It is a heartwarming, hope-inspiring and, at times, humbling event, held this year at the Marin Center Exhibit Hall. It is an annual tribute to the thousands of community volunteers and local nonprofit leaders and supporters who strive to make a difference – big and small, but both just as important – in our county.

Arnold was honored for her leadership with the Matrix Parent Network and Resource Center, a longstanding nonprofit that provides support for families with children with special needs. She was among the 124 nominees across eight categories, from youth volunteers and lifetime achievement to corporate community service and “Volunteer of the Year.”

The nominations are made by local nonprofits, screened by teams of community leaders who select the awardees.

For example, Ghilotti Bros. Inc, an historic business leader in our county, was honored for its years of donating money, time and equipment for local community educational and sports projects, from a school butterfly garden to a sports court at San Quentin State Prison, as well as its ongoing support for local construction training programs.

Mike Wing, a volunteer with Call of the Sea, was named 2023 Volunteer of the Year, honored for his work with the nonprofit sailing program and its water-based education programs as well as his impressive anti-pollution work and efforts to grow awareness about microplastic pollutants.

Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California won the award for Achievement in Nonprofit Excellence; NAMI Marin Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Team for Excellence in Innovation; Chandra Alexandre, chief executive officer of Community Action Marin, for the Excellence in Leadership; and Berta Campos-Anicetti was awarded the Lifetime Achievement for her 34 years of work in community health education programs for Latino families. CNVL’s awards committee cited for her work to remove barriers and build trust, most recently shown in her effective outreach work to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates.

Similar to Arnold, she spoke of how she has found inspiration in the Heart of Marin awards ceremonies she has attended in the past.

The youths honored this year included Surabhi Chinta, for her work with The Marine Mammal Center; Ryder Lariviere for his work and leadership with the Boy Scouts, locally and nationally; Kate Van Hooser, a volunteer nominated by Marin’s Extra Food nonprofit; Marcos Vega of Youth Transforming Justice and his work with the Marin Youth Court restorative justice program; and Olivia Villanova, a nominee for her work with Becca’s Closet Redwood High School chapter, where she has helped collect and provide around 400 free prom dresses for local high school students.

Many of these teens were multi-tasking volunteers, donating their time and talent to more than one nonprofit or cause.

As CVNL’s CEO Linda Jacobs, who emceed the luncheon, put it, the work of Marin’s nonprofits, their volunteers and supporters is “absolutely amazing, inspiring and hopeful.”

The Heart of Marin event was a fitting showcase and tribute for the important work and heartfelt service that goes on, most often quietly, around our county.

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