Jonathan Tibbitts is an active contributor to the United Way of San Diego County

Por Mónica Garske | Reportero SDUN

The United Way of San Diego County – a non-profit organization dedicated to improving lives by mobilizing the community and fundraising for education, income and health issues – recently honored a Kensington resident for his volunteerism and ongoing contributions to the community.

Jonathan Tibbitts was awarded the “Volunteer of the Year” Naish Award during the United Way’s annual campaign kickoff at the NTC Promenade on Sept. 24.

The award recognizes Tibbitts as an individual who has made a significant and sustained contribution to the nonprofit as a volunteer. The award is named after Jack Naish, a former board member and leader who exemplified the very qualities for which the award stands.

Tibbitts has been volunteering with United Way for the past 15 years. He began in 1997 and has consistently given his time to the organization.

Tibbitts has spent hundreds of hours each year on a wide array of tasks including reviewing annual funding, actively recruiting other volunteers and lending expertise to struggling organizations.

The nonprofit also touts Tibbitts as “always being the first to sign up for site visits” and stated in a press release that the Kensington resident’s efforts have “not only shaped the United Way of San Diego County but have directly impacted San Diego’s entire business community.”

United Way president and CEO Doug Sawyer said Tibbitts’ award is well-deserved.

“United Way recruits the people and organizations from across the community

who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done,” Sawyer said in the same release. “This year’s winners of the James F. Mulvaney Award and the Naish Award are leaders in our community and daily examples of Living United.”

Tibbitts is thankful for the recognition and said his time with United Way has been equally rewarding.

“Volunteering with United Way has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” Tibbitts said the release. “I feel honored and grateful to receive such a special reward.”

Additionally, United Way gave their third annual James F. Mulvaney Community Leadership Award to San Diego resident Richard “Dick” P. Woltman for his longtime volunteer service to the San Diego community.

To learn more about United Way of San Diego County’s mission and how you can volunteer visit uswsd.org.

“There are many ways to get involved in giving, advocating or volunteering,” Sawyer said. “Together, we can accomplish more than any single group can on its own. That’s Living United.”