Honoring Those Who Serve Others in Santa Barbara County

Community Action Commission Recognizes Fran Forman, Dr. Kevin Walthers and CenCal Health at the 12th Annual Community Action Champions Dinner

Each year at a commemorative dinner and presentation, Community Action Commission (CAC) recognizes extraordinary individuals who have helped improve the lives of children, youth, families, and seniors in their community. The 2018 Champions are:

Fran Forman – As the recently retired Executive Director of Community Action Commission, Forman has worked tirelessly on behalf of children, teens, families and seniors to promote their education, job skills, physical/emotional well-being, and economic security in an effort to stabilize their lives. 

Dr. Kevin Walthers – As Superintendent/President of Allan Hancock College, Dr. Walthers has been recognized for building relationships with the community, creating innovative fundraising programs and leading accreditation reporting. Under his leadership, the college launched The Hancock Promise which allows students, who graduate from high schools in the Santa Maria, Lompoc, Santa Ynez and Cuyama valleys, to receive their first year of tuition and fees for free. 

CenCal Health – From a very small local health plan to the largest health insurer in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, the mission of CenCal Health is to “improve the health and well-being of the people of the Central Coast.” An organization that provides for those who would not otherwise have health care coverage, CenCal Health runs towards the needs of the community, not away from them.

Previous years’ Community Action Champions include Lois Capps, Sheriff Bill Brown, Michael & Anne Towbes, and the Orfalea Foundation. The annual Community Action Champions dinner event also raises much needed funds to support the Healthy Senior Lunch program of Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County. This year’s top event sponsors are CenCal Health, Rabobank, Arthur Gallagher, BB&H Benefit Designs, Chumash Foundation and Deckers. 

The 12th annual Champions event will be held on Thursday May 17, 2018, 6pm reception, 7pm dinner and presentation at Hotel Corque at 400 Alisal Road in Solvang, CA. Tickets and sponsorships are available (starting at $125) at www.cacsb.org or call 805 964-8857 to RSVP and for more information. For every dollar raised, CenCal Health will match it up to $100,000. “We are currently just half way to our goal of raising $200,000 to help feed Seniors in our county,” says Linda Rosso, CAC’s Development Manager. 

Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County creates opportunities for families and individuals to achieve stability through its 22 health and human service programs, including Head Start, Healthy Senior Lunch, Weatherization Assistance, Family & Youth Services, and 2-1-1 Santa Barbara. CAC serves more than 10,000 people throughout the county each year. It also employs over 400 health, education and social service workers and is one of Santa Barbara County’s largest employers. Community Action Commission is a private non-profit agency that leverages support for Santa Barbara County residents through private funding as well as government contracts and grants.  More information available at www.cacsb.com