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.

Plan Ahead for the 2026 Awards

SAVMA Awards set a tone for 2025

The SAVMA Awards 2025 have set the tone for this year, and it is inspiring those around us to serve. Another wonderful awards event has passed. There were hugs, and 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

• 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)

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 2024 – Tori Carlson, Interfaith Community Services
• 2020 – Gina Hansen, Habitat for Humanity
• 2019 – Theresa Ulloa, Emerge! Center Against Sexual Assault

SAVMA Awards Sponsor Opportunities

We invite your financial participation to support 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.

Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors