The North Bay Spirit award was developed in partnership with The Press Democrat and Comcast NBCU to celebrate people who make a difference in our communities. In addition to highlighting remarkable individuals, the North Bay Spirit program aims to encourage volunteerism, raise visibility of nonprofits and create a spirit of giving. You will find stories and videos about the recipients below.
Previous Recipients: 2019, 2020
January - Lynn Calza
Lynn Calza of Petaluma and her children have sewed and donated thousands of face masks since March 2020. More here.
February - Martin Cibulka
Martin Cibulka manages the Harvest for the Hungry Garden, which has produced a record amount of food for charities last year during the pandemic. More here.
March - Vicky Royer
Vicky Royer of Windsor is behind the Facebook Group We CAN Make a Difference, which does everything from providing food to residents who are homeless to helping people pay their bills. More here.
April - John Maher
John Maher, also known as Petaluma Pete, is April's North Bay Spirit Award winner for his unwavering commitment to promote Petaluma through music. More here.
May - Jenny Giacomini
The Linus Project North Bay/Sonoma, under the unwavering guidance of Jenny Giacomini, has given 18,483 blankets to children of all ages, from newborns to teenagers. More here.
June - Grace Villafuerte
Grace Villafuerte is the vice president of Sonoma County Pride, which seeks to encourage, support and celebrate the local LGBTQI community. She also has served on the boards of The Living Room day shelter and Face to Face/Sonoma County Aids network. In between all of her volunteer efforts, she facilitates a weekly online LGBT grief support group. More here.
July -Amanda Kitchens and Dominique Soileau
Amanda Kitchens and Dominique Soileau opened Our Village Closet, a clearing house for resources needed by foster parents who often learn children are being brought to them on short notice. More here.
August - Annie Falandes
Annie Falandes, who runs Homeless Action Sonoma, is determined to help those who are homeless find dignity in a world where that can be difficult to come by. More here.
September - David Maciel
In just seven months, David Maciel collected nearly 100 bikes and gave away 80 of them to kids whose families can’t afford them. More here.
October - Susie Albrecht
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park volunteer Susie Albrecht helps visitors share respite in nature. More here.
November - Larkin O’Leary
Larkin O’Leary founded Common Ground Society, a Santa Rosa organization that offers support and resources to families with kids who have disabilities. More here.
December - Micah and Michelle Sawyer
After losing their son to overdose, Micah and Michelle Sawyer help others struggling with addiction through their nonprofit, Micah's Hugs. More here.
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