Outstanding Community Volunteers to Receive 2025 Merit Awards

The City of Santa Rosa has selected 12 extraordinary individuals and organizations to receive the 2025 Merit Awards, acknowledging their outstanding volunteerism in serving the community and improving the quality of life in Santa Rosa. This year marks the 43rd Merit Awards presentation, to be held on Monday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. at Finley Community Center. The ceremony honoring this year's recipients is open to invited guests and all members of the community.

Recipients of the City's Merit Awards are nominated by the community and selected by the Merit Awards Committee. Mayor Mark Stapp and members of the City Council will join the committee in presenting the awards on Monday evening. Those to be recognized in five categories include:

BEAUTIFYING OUR COMMUNITY

Rubin Scott for the creation and leadership of the annual MLK Day of Service, 'A Day On, Not a Day Off,' bringing the community together to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy by beautifying Santa Rosa through service, unity, and collective action.

CULTURAL ENRICHMENT

Reynalda Joy Cruz for expanding and enriching the artistic and historical culture of Santa Rosa through indigenous cultural advocacy, youth mentorship, and creative community engagement that celebrates heritage, promotes inclusivity, and fosters cultural pride.

MLK/Juneteenth Committee for sustaining and enriching the MLK/Juneteenth Celebration for over 55 years, fostering community unity through arts, culture, and family engagement.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Forgotten Felines Spay/Neuter Clinic volunteers for fostering sustainability and protecting the environment by reducing the population of unowned cats and promoting a healthier, more compassionate community.

SERVING OTHERS

Laura Mountain-Tuller for coaching Special Olympics athletes, empowering young people with disabilities through sports and teamwork.

Assistance League® of Sonoma County volunteers for transforming lives through literacy programs, clothing distribution, essential support, and scholarships, positively impacting the lives of thousands of children, teens, adults, and seniors in our community.

404 Found Code for expanding access to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) by providing free coding classes, developing original curricula, and hosting an international hackathon, benefiting local youth through education.

Caring Rides & Caring Voices volunteers for over 29 years of supporting seniors through free transportation and compassionate companionship, helping older adults live safely, independently, and with dignity.

Person Senior Wing volunteers for empowering older adults through hands-on tech support, maintaining an organized and welcoming community library, and enriching lives through educational classes and programs.

Cesar Chavez Language Academy Foundation for their dedication to enriching student life, supporting educators, and fostering equity through consistent fundraising and community engagement that ensures all CCLA students can thrive, regardless of financial barriers.

STRENGTHENING NEIGHBORHOODS

Kristoc Camacho for his volunteer work founding and coaching the South Park Futbol Club, creating a safe, supportive, and empowering space for neighborhood youth to grow through teamwork, mentorship, and community connection.

Karen Girard for her dedicated volunteer leadership of the First United Methodist Church community garden, which strengthens the neighborhood through food donations, sustainability, and community connection.

Visit SRCity.org/MeritAwards for more information about the Merit Awards program and the volunteers honored this year and throughout the program's 40-plus year history.