SAVMA Awards for Volunteerism

Volunteers are vital to the well-being of our community, and the SAVMA Volunteer Awards recognize the remarkable service of individuals, youth, and corporate volunteerism programs. A national volunteerism expert kicks off the event before the actual celebration of the many Community Service Recognitions! The six awards will include personalized videos of each awardee. Event proceeds support SAVMA’s annual professional development activities for volunteer engagement professionals.

SAVMA Awards set a tone for 2026

Our cup runneth over ,with a truly engaged presenting partner in the Arizona Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith, and Family. The SAVMA Awards 2026 featured all the usual hugs and smiles, with an extra flair of phones and flashes during our keynote address by Brenda Meller.  The celebration continues with stories, photos, videos and more, so check it out>>>>>>

SAVMA Volunteer Awards 2026 Sponsors

A final thank you to the sponsors that underwrote the celebration and the 2026 professional development programming activities.

Presenting Sponsor

Volunteer Management Association awards ceremony 2026 for outstanding volunteers.
Bruce Foundation Logo
Community Foundation for Southern Arizona
AZCH Logo
TMC Health logo
Celebrating outstanding volunteers at the 2026 Volunteer Awards event.
Group of volunteers receiving awards at the Volunteer Management event 2026.
Volunteer Management Association logo, emphasizing volunteer recognition and leadership.
Volunteer Management Association awards ceremony 2026, celebrating outstanding volunteers and leader.
Celebrating youth volunteer achievements at the Volunteer Management Association event.
Volunteer Management Award at Volunteer Awards 2026 event.
Celebrating Juneteenth with community and volunteer recognition in Tucson.
Volunteer Awards 2026 - Recognition by United Way Tucson and Southern Arizona.

SAVMA Annual Underwriting Sponsorship Opportunities

We invite your financial support for public recognition of volunteerism and the local Volunteer Engagement Profession. Founded in 1997, the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association (SAVMA) promotes excellence in volunteer program management for volunteer engagement professionals by providing educational programs, leadership, resources, and peer networking throughout Southern Arizona. Proceeds support SAVMA’s annual professional development activities.

SAVMA Awards set a tone for 2025

The SAVMA Awards 2025 have set the tone for this year, inspiring those around us to serve. Another wonderful awards event has passed. There were hugs, smiles, tail wags, and Cheetos at the SAVMA Awards 2025.  Enjoy the celebration with photos, videos, and stories on the SAVMA Awards 2025 event page >>>>>>

Welcomes back Volunteer Awards in 2024

With gratitude, and in celebration, the SAVMA Awards 2024, presented by the Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family were a wonderful return from the pandemic. Relive the celebration with photos, videos, and stories on the 2024 Awards Page!

SAVMA Awards 2020

With nearly 400 people registered to attend the awards it was an amazing event. With photos and videos to remember the celebration and all the community service recognition stories to keep us going we will be inspired for years to come. Check out the fun. 

SAVMA Awards Big 6 – Past Recipients

Volunteer of the Year Award

  • 2026 – Rose Taulton, Tucson Juneteenth Festival
  • 2025 – “Builder” Bob Schultz, Habitat for Humanity Tucson
  • 2024 – David Tabb, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Pima County
  • 2020 – Steve Johnson, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Pima County
  • 2019 – Mary Ohrazda, Tucson Museum of Art

Exceptional Governance Volunteer Award (first issued in 2020)

  • 2026 – Katie Maxwell, Youth on Their Own
  • 2025 – Nate Clark, Reid Park Zoological Society
  • 2024 – Chrisie Ballard, Junior Achievement of Arizona- Southern District
  • 2020 – Scott Summerford, Interfaith Community Services

Corporate or Group Volunteerism Award

  • 2026 – The Home Depot, Habitat for Humanity Tucson
  • 2025 – Camp Fury Public Service Volunteer Collaborative, Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona
  • 2024 – Caterpillar Tucson Regional Offices, Junior Achievement of Arizona- Southern District
  • 2020 – Southwest Gas Corporation
  • 2019 – Tucson Electric Power Company

Exceptional Volunteer Program Award

  • 2026 – Greater Tucson Leadership, Monique Conway
  • 2025 – Junior Achievement of Arizona – Southern Arizona Chapter
  • 2024 – Habitat for Humanity Tucson
  • 2020 – Interfaith Community Services
  • 2019 – Literacy Connects

Youth Volunteerism or Individual Award

  • 2025 – Gabriel Thompson, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona
  • 2024 – Felipe Garcia, Governor’s Youth Commission
  • 2020 – Zoo Crew, Reid Park Zoo
  • 2019 – RHAP Volunteers (Teen Reproductive Health Access Project), El Rio

Exceptional Volunteer Engagement Professional Award

  • 2026 – Angelica Town, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona
  • 2024 – Tori Carlson, Interfaith Community Services
  • 2020 – Gina Hansen, Habitat for Humanity
  • 2019 – Theresa Ulloa, Emerge! Center Against Sexual Assault