NAPA AWARDS

Over 130 nonprofit leaders, volunteers, elected officials, and business members logged into the Virtual Heart of Napa Awards hosted by Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) on July 23..

This year’s recipients are:

Clif Family Winery received the Corporate Community Service Award, sponsored by Pacific Gas and Electric Company. In 2019, their Family Volunteering Campaign logged 1,000 hours of service on projects ranging from building bird boxes to trail restoration.

The Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by Syar Foundation, was presented to Joan Lyon, Community Action Napa Valley. Joan Lyon is the heart and soul of Napa’s Food Pantry.

The Excellence in Board Leadership Award, sponsored by Comerica Bank, was presented to Maira Ayala, OLE Health. Maira was instrumental during the leadership transition at OLE Health, and has used her position as a Field Representative for Congressman Mike Thompson to advocate on how legislative changes negatively impact the patients, particularly the immigrant community.

The Youth Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by Redwood Credit Union, was presented to five high schools students serving a local nonprofit, education, or faith-based organization. Each student also received a $1,000 scholarship in support of their contributions to the community. This year’s youth volunteers were Dareydy Rojas, Freshman at Vintage High School; Averi Dropping, Senior at New Tech High School; Talulah Finkelstein, 7th Grader at Blue Oak School; Deisy Mendoza, Senior at Napa High School; and Sophie Heflebower, Senior at Napa Valley Independent Studies.

Pete Shaw, CrossWalk Community Church was presented the Excellence in Leadership Award. Acting as the Senior Pastor since 1999, Dr. Shaw has transformed the Church’s culture with a focus on serving others.

The Achievement in Nonprofit Excellence Award, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, Napa-Solano, was presented to American Canyon Community and Parks Foundation. ACCPF strives to inspire the next generation of outdoor stewards, giving back to the community, and helping encourage community health.

STUDENT HONORED

Laura Hollister, daughter of Patrick and Karen Hollister, recently was awarded her PhD in Spanish from Durham University (2020) in the United Kingdom.  Laura previously received her Masters in Medieval Studies from University of Bristol in the UK and her Bachelors (double major) in Classics and Spanish from University of Puget Sound. Laura is a 2008 graduate of Benicia High School.

Laura wrote her PhD thesis on Medieval pilgrimages from Barcelona Spain to Montserrat Monastery.  She undertook a pilgrimage of her own from Barcelona to Montserrat by herself which took 3 days through the Spanish countryside. She based her thesis on her experience.

Laura is the granddaughter of Dr. James and Marilyn Hollister of Vallejo (both deceased) and Larry and Betty Vierra of Vallejo (both deceased). Laura’s brother Patrick is also in a Physics PhD program at Cornell University.

Laura’s family is proud of her accomplishments and sees great things in her future