Cheers to Change: Celebrating San Diego’s Outstanding Volunteers at VolunCHEERS 2025

May 22, 2025

Every April, celebrations take place worldwide in honor of Global Volunteer Month. HandsOn San Diego celebrates by hosting VolunCHEERS, an event centered on showing appreciation to the incredible volunteers who serve the San Diego Community. By celebrating our volunteers, HandsOn San Diego is able to encourage their good deeds with a sense of community, and a feeling of belonging. Being a volunteer is about more than just sacrificing time to help those in need, it’s about bonding together for a shared goal of making our world a better place, and that starts right here in San Diego.

Our nonprofit partners were invited to honor a volunteer that was connected to their organization by HandsOn San Diego. These nominees exhibited our values of inclusivity, positive impact, and connection; and have gone above and beyond to give back to the San Diego community. 

We would like to thank the sponsors that helped make this year’s VolunCHEERS one to remember. The USS Midway Museum, City Cruises, the Old Globe Theatre, the Living Coast Discovery Center, and Gourmet Gift Baskets gave in-kind donations for our raffle prizes. Each of these donors allowed us to honor a lucky volunteer with a gift as a token of both our appreciation, as well as the appreciation of San Diego as a whole. Additionally, we gave out goodie bags to volunteers that included HandsOn San Diego branded fitness towels, generously donated by Nomadix. We would also like to extend our gratitude to Chris Squillaci for donating drinks and dessert, and Paul Navarro for donating drinks and for sponsoring the awards. Lastly, we would like to thank Stacey Blanchet for allowing us the honor of hosting VolunCHEERS at her gorgeous home.

Five volunteers were honored at VolunCHEERS, all of whom came into contact with their organizations through HandsOn San Diego.

Banding Together San Diego uses music as a means to impact the community. They bring unique music opportunities to individuals with special needs through their Jam Sessions and Soundcheck Jams. Banding Together’s nominee Casey Lewis Lim began volunteering with them in October 2024 and quickly became an integral part of their program and community. He has taken the time to understand participant needs and effortlessly connects with individuals attending Jam Sessions.

Porchlight Community Services reduces food waste from restaurants and grocery stores, and redistributes that food to those in need in the community. They nominated Claudia Arriaga to be recognized at VolunCHEERS. Claudia takes initiative, fosters inclusivity, and forms genuine connections with her fellow volunteers. She is dedicated to leading with kindness and has made a heartfelt impact at Porchlight.

The Lucky Duck Foundation alleviates homelessness and its effects in San Diego county through shelters, job training, and food distribution. They nominated Bob Sharp to be recognized at VolunCHEERS. Bob has supported their food and water initiative program since the early days of the pandemic and continues to volunteer weekly at their distribution site in National City. Friday distributions are not the same when Bob can’t be there!

A Way Home For Dogs reunites dogs with their families in the San Diego community. They nominated Merida "Bibi" Trepy to be recognized at VolunCHEERS. Whether it’s volunteering, serving our country, or being part of a motorcycle group, Bibi is a quiet hero that leads by example in every part of her life. Bibi helps out where she can and is always willing to step in when volunteers or staff members need support. 

HandsOn San Diego strengthens communities through volunteer action by connecting volunteers to organizations throughout San Diego County. We nominated Jonathan King to be recognized at VolunCHEERS. Jonathan has been our most active Volunteer Leader since September 2023 and currently leads three calendar projects each month. He is a strong and inclusive leader that goes above and beyond in supporting everyone’s goals of being meaningfully involved in their community.