Spirit of Service Awards

The Spirit of Service Awards Program is an event held annually to honor those in the community furthering the goals of Looking Good Santa Barbara.  Each winter we accept community nominations so the Looking Good Committee can select winners.

Award Categories

Waste Reduction Category  (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Compost)

An individual, group, business or agency that has made a significant effort to contribute to waste reduction in Santa Barbara.          

Clean Community Category

An individual, group, business or agency that has made a significant effort to reduce graffiti and/or litter in Santa Barbara.  Neighborhood or public right-of-way (streets, bridges, sidewalks, etc.) clean-ups are eligible projects.  Clean-ups in parks, beaches and creeks are not eligible.

Congratulations to all of our 2017 winners!

2017 Spirit of Service Award Winners:

Waste Reduction Category

• Mental Wellness Center
• Catholic Charities Santa Barbara

Clean Community Category

• Salvation Army Hospitality House
• Teens on the Scene

2016 Spirit of Service Award Winners:

Waste Reduction Category

• Paul Cronshaw, Teacher, La Cuesta High School
• Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation
• Garden Court Community on De La Vina

Clean Community Category

• Calvary Baptist Church of Santa Barbara
• Santa Barbara Arts Alliance
• Keep It Clean Santa Barbara

2015 Spirit of Service Award Winners:

Waste Reduction Category

• Bill Kelly, Nordstrom: as Facilities Manager, he energetically supported the Nordstrom Café to divert more than 12 tons of foodscraps from the landfill each year
• Lauren Thal-Hill, Franklin School: a 4th grade teacher, Lauren guided a student project to reduce the use of plastic in the cafeteria, eventually replacing 180,000 plastic cups with reusable ones
• The Towbes Group, Inc.: a local real estate leader, The Towbes Group has implemented recycling and waste reduction throughout their offices as well as residential and commercial properties, including providing recycling containers and information to new tenants

Clean Community Category

• Jesse Aldana: Jesse has been walking his neighborhood five times a week for twelve years and has become a vigilant collector of trash, eventually recruiting friends and even his grandson to assist in the effort
• Stella Larson: For two years, Stella hand-picked weeds and gathered trash on Carrillo hill, spearheading the effort alone while working with the City to pick up the collected garbage, and all the while wearing her trademark smile